The National tribune., 1902-04-10

worried and tired you look. Pray come
in and have something to refresh you.
Your journey has been too much for you"
/ thanked him, but refused to taste any
thing to eat or drink, and went directly
to my room. l threw myself on a chair
by the open window and tried to think
over the situation.
l well knew that al appeals to Don
Miguel would be of no avail. There was
no use to see him. The money l had paid
him was already forfeited, and l was
ruined.
1 groaned aloud in my despair. 1 cursed
myself for being led into making such
contract. Yet, as 1 thought over the mat
ter, l realized that had had ample time
to comply with all the conditions. My loss
was but the result OF my own madness.
In the midst of my gloomy reflections
l was interrupted by knock at the door
and the landlord entered, bringing tempt
ing lunch with some fragrant coffee on a
tray.
You see, 1 am going to compel you to
eat something" he said with a smile.
You are completely worn out, and If you
don't eat something you will be i'll"
l began to sip the coffee mechanically.
please sit down, Hawkshaw; l want
to talk with you," r said.
He sank into 4 chair, looking at me
curiously.
Have you seen Don Miguel? / asked.
Yes" he replied. HE has been here
almost every day for the last few days to
inquire for you"
Did he speak about the mine?
mo; he was silent on that subject, but
was very anxious, it seemed, to know just
when you would return. You see, there
has been big strike in the White Ser
pent' since you went away, and it could
now be sold easily for more than three
times what you paid for it, and as con-
sequence, Don Miguel is very sick Of his
bargain, and would get out of 1t if he
possibly could
Then all is lost, indeed" | said with
a grOan. Il have already forfeited the
money paid by not arriving here in time,
and the whole matter is in the hands of
Don Miguel"
why, can it be pOssiblew cried the
inn-keeper in amaZement. "The loss of
the mine is a misfortune indeed"
And that is not the worst of the bust
ness" | said. II not only lose all chance
of becoming the owner of the mine, but,
according to the contract, l must lose the
81 900 | have paid on the mine, which
leaves me ruined man."
why, this seems very strange" said
the landlord, reflectively. Surely, there
must he some mistake. Don Miguel was
here this very day to inquire if you had
returned, and / heard him remark to n
friend that this was the last day you had
in which to fulfill your contract for the
purchase of the mine."
Surely, you must be mistaken" / said.
Il have a copy of the contract, and it very
plainly says that the balance must be paid
on or before the 4th day of June, and this
is the 9Th"
"The 9TH did you say?" he cried. Then
a smile came over his face, and he added:
''Of course you are only joking"
/ looked at him in amazement.
''Why, surely you must know that this
is the 4th and not the 9th of June" he
said.
There could be no doubt about the
sincerity Of his words. | began to think
had gone mad. l sprang to my feet,
trembling with excitement.
In the name Of Heaven, Hawkshaw,"
what do you mean?" | cried. DO you
mean TO say that / have made n mistake,
and that this is not the 9th of June?'
why, how can you ask me that:' he
cried. 1T is entirely too serious an affair
to jest over"
He pointed to a small clock on the wall
"A calendar clock.
The hand indicating the day Of the
month pointed to the figure 4.
You must be laboring under some
queer mistake to think this is the 9TH of
the month";" he went on.
Ny brain was running in mad whirl.
Had | really made this dreadful mistake?
| waited no longer, but dashed from the
room.
Down in the street l met a man | had
become acquainted with on my former
visit to the place.
What day of the month is this?"
asked, as | greeted him.
why, it is the 4th," he said. Been
losing your reckoning?"
| waited to hear no more, but hurried
in the direction Of the Office of Don Mi
guel.
The don turned pale as | stood before
him, and a look of bitter disappointment
settled on his face. But he spoke no word
of protest when l laid the balance of the
money due for the mine before him, and
a half hour later | returned TO the inn,
carrying in my possession the document
that made me the owner of the white
Serpent Nine" which | had come so near
losing forever.
A great load seemed lifted from my soul.
| was saved from ruin, after all; but, how
had it happened? To my stupefied senses
it all seemed like a hideous dream from
which l had just awakened: But 1 was
too happy to let the mystery disturb me
Just then. The glad thought that | could
now return to Texas-return TO claim my
hride-sweet Grace Mansfield. My heart
beat with rapture. and deep in my soul
thanked God that | was saved from my
own folly.
But what of my meeting with Herralgo
and the days spent in the desert valley?
Was | bewitched? Impossible! 1t was
only a dream. And yeti look at my
finger There is the white silver serpent
HerralgO's ring! Shall | ever solve the
mystery? Quien sabe? My lips are mute.