Water Valley progress., 1903-07-11
hat sullenly, out of force of habit, and

then, pressing his heel into the pony's
| side, rode rapidly toward the hills be-
hind La Grangja.
There Ignacio worked for three
months herding carabao, and, watch
ing the black clouds.over Malaspinas
by day and the Southern Cross by
night, meditated over Maria. When
orders were received to drive part of
the herd into La Carlota, Ignacio wss
placed in charge of the work over five
herdsmen. Shortly after dusk they
drove the last of the herd into the
pen on the outskirts of the town. I'M
mediately the five demanded permis-
sion to 60 into town. Ignacio knew
that they would probably become
drunk on tuba Gan extremely intoxi-
eating fermentation of sap from the
cocoanut-tree) and S'paint the place
red," which seems to be universal
diversion Of cattle-herders OF all
races. Therefore he deemed it ad-
visable to accompany them.
The herders trotted past the low
walls of masonry erected since they
left. The town wassilent, for the dis
tant murmur of the people in the
market-place few hundred yards
away. and the tinkle of hidden gui-
tar. Ignacio's ear caught the sound
of woman's sobbing and reined his
pony. The others, noting the action,
drew up, also, and listened.
The sound came from under the
bell-tower, and, dismounting, the
herdsmen hurried over to it. In the
dim, uncertain light they saw three
men squatted on the grass in group.
and woman with her arms thrown
round long, oblong shape beside her.
Her whole body was shaken by inter-
mittent bursts of sobbing.
"Why is this?" Ignacio whispered
to one of the men,
The man drew a cigarette from his
mouth long enough to reply in the
fewest possible words: "Her husband
is in the coffin. She has not enough
| to pay for the passing bell.''
Ignacio quickly thrust his hand
into pocket and drew forth peseta,
all the money he possessed. He held
it out to the man. ''Here is peseta.
Give it to her"
The man made no motion to take
it. s.It now costs four pesetas to have
even the small bell rung three or four
times. Did you not hear? She has al
ready two pesetas, but the padre will
not permit the bell to be rung for
less than FOUR
Ignacio turned to his brethren.
"How much money have you?" he
asked, quickly. The men searched
their pockets assiduously, but II
cents was all they possessed among
them.
"Seventy-sevan cents,' muttered
Ignacio, half to himself, "and a soul
must wait for want Of three cents.
Pedro, run to the padre. Do not for
get to remove your hat and to be very,
very respectful. Ask if he will permit
the little bell to be rung for ~ cents,
and tell him that we will pay the rest
of the money in few days"
Pedro handed the reins of his pony
to one of the others, and his bare feet
clattered across the road to the
PADRES residence.
'sWho is the woman?" asked Igna-
clio.
Maria, wife of Diego Menang," re-
piled the man with the cigarette.
''Diosp' gasped Ignacio. He strobe
quickly over to the half-crazed wom-
an and touched her on the shoulder.
"Maria,' he whispered. She moaned,
as though reused only to fuller re-
alization of her grief.
Maria, it is Ignacio, your old
FRIEND" he murmured, and his voice
shook with tenderness and Pity.
"Will you not speak to me?"
She turned to him haggard face,