The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-10-31

dAcdu VI HIN.
She saw a camp pitched by a creek
that ran through large and beauti-
full grove Of pecan trees. This grove
was In the middle of level space some
acres in extent and green with late
grasses. On every side it was shell
tered by the rising hills It must have
been very furnace of heat in sum-
mer, but at that season its tempera-
ture was delightful. No tents were
visible. Instead, jacals of mesquite
poles had been erected and rooted with
water grasses. They were arranged
regularly upon either side of the
stream, facing it some twenty feet
away. They thus presented the effect
of rude, single street, with the bright
water in it's center At the far end,
under the low spreading limbs of a
mighty pecan, was a hut twice the size
OF any one of the others and con-
structed with more care. Vavara sig
nified to her that it was his palace
and contained his offices and living
quarters. 1t was to be given up to
her exclusive use, he assured her, I'M
til the Senior, her husband" chose
to buy her back. He himself would
be content with ruder quarters else
where.
The Sonora shall have a maid" he
went on, who will prepare her meals.
She need fear no harm. While we are
contrabandistas, we admire, we rever-
ence, we worship beauty, and the
Sonora will forgive me for saying that
she is very beautiful. We have quite
little colony here. Most of my men
are married and live with their fam
lilies in the houses you see."
Indeed, Lois had already noticed a
half-dozen brown semi-nude children
rolling about on the grass and felt
much cheered thereby. It came to her
that her value in Vavara's eyes rested
solely upon his mistake; it was evil
dent, too, that he regarded the Glynns
as people of great wealth and i'm
portance. 1t followed therefore that
the more of hauteur and nonchaIanca
she showed as beftting a hidalgo's
wife, the more respectfully she would
be treated. So, with languid and
naughty wave of the hand, she signi-
fled her desire to be conducted to her
hut. The smuggler fastened to obey.
He helped her from the saddle grace
fully and strongly and led her to the
door. With an implied apology, he
entered after her and proceeded to en-
large upon the comforts at her COM
mand. 1t was rudely but substantially
furnished, with table, some chairs
and a hammock. Hanging to hooks
upon the wall was carbine, which he
proceeded hastily to remove. The
CABIN was of two rooms and in the
rear chamber was a rude washstand,
jug and howl of gaudily figured Mex
lean pottery, huge water jar sus-
pended by grass-plaited cords from a
joist, an iron bedstead and a closet
nailed to the wall, which contained
tableware of various kinds. There was
also fireplace with cooking imple-
ments. The floors of both rooms were
of the hard earth. Vavara stepped to
the rear door and called softly. In re-
Spouse there came slender figure. a
Mexican girl of not more Than four
teen years old, with the plump oval
face, straight black hair, LIQUID ewes
and white teeth of her age and class.
She was singularly pretty, with a seri-
ous wistful gaze and footstep as
light as fawn.
"This," said Vavara, els Jocosa. OF
our band. Her father was killed he.
low Eagle Pass last year and he,
mother went to the good God long ago
She is fond of English and Americans
because of the brave Senior Weston
now unhappily dead. He was kind tc
her and while in this city"-it was
characteristic of the bombastic rasca
to speak of his camp as a city-"he
taught to her something of the read
ing. She will be to you companion
of your own adored SEX I go, hon
ored Sonora, to communicate with the
noble Senior, your husband. 1 shall
hear from him, the latest, day aftel
the morrow when I trust you will b.
restored to your friends and kindred.
With a sweeping bow which carried
the rim of his sombrero to the dir
floor of the jacal, he was gone, walk
ing backward.
Lois was growing faint with hunger
and Jocosa rapidly prepared break
fast of strong coffee, tortillas and eggs
This was served on red earthenware
with no knife or fork. It is the Mex
lean fashion to use the tortilla a,
knife and fork in eating eggs. Rel
pepper permeated the food and chill
con-carne gravy was poured over 1
in stream. Lois was well enough
acquainted with the cookery Of tn,
country to understand its peculiaritie,
and to enjoy it. While she ate, sh,
talked to the girl who stood apart re-
spectfully, watching and admiring til,
strange and different beauty OF he
new companion.
You knew and liked the Senior Yves
ton?" Jocosa was asked.
"Oh, well; much" was the quicl
reply, the hands passionately clasped
''Why?' X 8r VI Y 4, " ~ NJ y y
HE was 90 strong, 20 brave, !,
kind; not like these others. Gfsgori,
wished to marry me: vayara vishe,