The National tribune., 1902-04-10

l fastened the door by means of the
rude wooden latch, and without undress-
ing threw myself on the rude couch
| was dead tired. and drowsiness came
over me. l was just dropping into
peaceful sleep when a slight noise at the
door. as if someone had attempted to lift
the latch, aroused me. / got up, ana,
pistol in hand, went to the door and threw
it open. Nothing was to be seen. The
moon had risen and was throwing welrd
| light over the scene. / went out and
walked around the shanty. but not the
slightest sign of the mysterious vlsltant
was visible Ny horse, | noticed with
satisfaction, was still cropping the grass
quietly where l had left him.
1T was nothing but the wind" l
unused, and re-entefing the shanty, | again
sought my rude couch and was soon fast
asleep.
Ii was broad daylight when 1 woke. 1
| lay still for q moment, feeling kind OF
| languor upon me. Outside l could hear
| the birds singing in sharp, discordant notes
| in the chaparral Then slowly there came
over me a strange sensation-an inward
/ feeling that ! was not alone in the room!
| This feeling grew upon me, yet lay with
my face toward the wall, not humoring
the vague impulse TO look behind me.
! Yet every moment the conviction grew
.
room. 1t might be some Mexican bandit
ready to hold me up for my valuables, or
only harmless Sheep-herder. As l lay
/ listening to the sounds without, and Won
deriug if the presentiment that l was not
alone in the room should prove only the
result Of my imagination, | heard distinct
/ ~ the sound Of a fire blazing on the
I hearth.
( Unable longer TO restrain my curiosity,
/ | turned quickly and looked in the direc-
ton of the fireplace. | could hardly sup
press the cry of amuzement that half rose
/ to my lips.
In front of the blazing fire sat a girl
or woman, | could not have told which.
She was clad in that warm and pictur-
esqUe costume that one so often sees IN the
tropics, and her hair fell in u dark mass
about her well-rounded shoulders. Her
face was only partially visible, but even
with that imperfect view /! could see that
She was very beautiful. She was busily
engaged in cooking some sayOry meats
and vegetables, the scent of which now
came TO my nOstrils, bringing very pleas
ant sensation.
For some moments l ley there looking
at her in silent wonderment Then
Shcok myself aud rose to a sitting posture.
Was | dreaming! | could hardly credit
the evidence of my senses.
Ny movements must have attracted her
JltcNtlOnf IOf SHe iuTneu anu loOheu III
me- smiled as she bade me good-mOrning
in pure Spanish: then resumed her Occu.
patton as il nothing had happened.
Her odd conduct mystiied me more
than her presence had done. | was on
the point Of addressing her when She took
large earthen vessel and glided out al
tie door. l gazed blankly after her.
va ,nely wondering vino she WIS, and how
she came 10 be i'll the lonely cabin i'll the
desert.
/ drew on my shoes, and taking my hat
walked out. She was nowhere to be
, seen | walked TO the brook and bathed
my face in the cool, running water. Then
4. as | stood TO draw the fresh breath OF
morning into my lungs | saw the strange
beauty returning from the spring, the yes
sci filled with water
2 You should have allowed me to per
5 form that service for you" | said, stand
: ing before her with my hat in my hand.
Sine smiled, showing rows of milk-whitt
4 teeth.
She made a beautiful picture as sh'
: came from the Semi-tropical foliage, thu
e bright red of her quaint costume gleam
ing amid the feathery leaves of the yucci
b palm. Her form, her movements wer,
, full of symmetry and grace.
e "Mucho obligacion." she said. 81
. would not be hOspitable TO impose sucl
< tasks on ones guest"
r Il must beg your pardon for this intru
J. SION" | said. speaking in her own ten
' que . | found the place quite deserted
G and did not know that it had an oecu
$ pant"
She made quick protesting gesture.
"Ah. senior, if you only knew how lonely
il is here, and how seldom n visitor comes
, you would not speak of intruding," sh,
said You are quite welcome to the poo
/ shelter you have received, and l shall no