The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-11-16

the whole war ceased that his soldiers
might aid In the hunt. No one would tell
him of the maiden. AZ last they brought
pair Of nosing dogs from OF the ships and
let them sniff one Of hes garments. They
found her quickly, lying in black rayine,
where not one day in all the year the fair
sunlight shone. and where there was not
single bird TO sing its song"
why did she hide?" asked the woman.
"strangled. lady" whispered the old ser
want.
"strangled" cried out the woman, draw
ing back her face becoming white
yes. said at first It was not good to
hear"
And the mau-the stranger7 Did he find
another chieftain's daughter for his ca
ress?"
"'Tis said he became Ike wild beast,
lady. And fire and terror stalked abroad
throughout all the province. The old chief
he killed himself and they threw his body
to the dogs the followers were either slain
or driven to the four Winds, the mansion
was left one bed of smolderinG ashes in
which the sutor's bones were Drowned; and
In the passing Of a summers day, whole
great province these white men blotted out
forever.
II wish you had not told me. Emilio"
she said babyishly. pouting her lips. A tear
stole down her cheek.
81 am sorry. lady" said the servant,
picking up his clips, He went slowly ont Of
sight In the garden.
For quite a while the woman lay upon the
seat thinking OF the legend. Al length she
fell asleep. Late in the day bugles blast
rang out upon the quiet stiffness Of the
air. and. starting up. she watched through
the arches Of the trees 20 see a band Of
strange CARRIED soldiers riding down. On
they cfme toward her a troop OF somDer
color that did not mIngle with the freshness
OF the woods: their trappings iingled; the
horses trotted as If tired and hung their
heads layer Of white dust was over all
the riders They talked harshly while pass
ing. and one called TO another with laugh.
Almost the whole band had passed the
! place. when one refined in his mount and
listened
II seemed he had heard the fountains
splash Slowly he got down from the horse,
called something to another who waited
near i'm. The man rode on at his bidding
Running few steps forward. the man
vauIted the low hedge and crashed his way
through the dense thicket striding quickly
up the little terrace 70 the glade. The
woman watched him half in fear. crouching
far back into the scat between the trees.
Swiftly he walked 20 the basin Of running
water There was nothing TO drink from
Int his hands Piungiug them IN. a long
draught he took. splashing the cooling
water ON his face and coat
little laugh surprised him. Quickly he
sprang back and dropped behind the mar
BILE coping Then he saw the little woman
and started up ashamed. Sweeping on his
old discoored hat. he bowed low before her
II am sorry TO have startled you, seno-
rita" he faltered. with bright smile. the
words coming slowly In strange accent.
IL should not have entered here. :"
"You have not startled me-" she an-
swered. with a light ripple Of pleased laugh
ter. who dropped behind the basin7'
He blushei as II the act had held him up
70 woman's ridicule.
81 did not know It was lady" he re-
piled. THE country 10 az wsr---I bes
your pardon. seacrlta.' +,