The Sauk Centre herald., 1903-02-05

40; ignac.O received the same that
did. but he has gambled his portion
away until he has nothing. 1t was to
demand money of me that he accosted
me one day on the Paseo. when Burr
interfered, and which was the real
cause of the duel.
THAT was the first time that Burr
ever saw me-" she added after a mo-
ment's pause.
lone word more about the property,
Carmen. l know that there are estates
in Mexico, in the state of Michoacan.
which were in the hands of a man
named Sepulvida. and know that
Burr's father in letter directed him
to go to Mexico and recover them. I
know that Burr wrote to Sepulvida
several times, or, rather, l wrote for
him, and that no satisfactory replies
were received. l also know that those
properties were transferred by Sepul-
vida to Burr while he was there, for I
have found copies of the papers relat-
ing to them, but do not know any Of
the particulars. The real cause Of
Burr's trip was to find a brother or a
sister; ostensibly it was to recover this
property, for which he did not care a
fig. Can you tell me anything about
that?'
Eyes. Pancho knows about it and
has told me. My father made my mother
very rich woman before he left Mex
leo, and he was thoughtful enough to
place it all in United States govern
ment bonds in her name. He also pos
sessed large estates in Michoacan, but
those he did not dare, for some reason,
to transfer directly to her. Therefore
he made Senor Sepulvida the ostensible
owner, with directions to transfer them
to my mother whenever it was safe to
do SO and in the event of her death and
his to his son in New York. Senor
Sepulvida is very conscientious man.
1t was his wish long ago to give the
property to me, but he did not believe
he had the right to do so. Ignacio
knows nothing about those properties.
1t is the regret of my life. Craig, that
l never saw my father-only his pic
ture," she added pensively.
what are the names Of the two
MeXicans who came here with Escu-
der" " asked Craig. suddenly changing
the subject.
Juan Rodriguez and Emilio Busta-
mente. Both are rather light complex
ioned and might readily pass for Amer
leans. for they speak English fluently."
Good" exclaimed Craig, rising sud-
denly. Il know them both. l have
seen them with Escudera twice when
they did not see me. Now let us 60. I
will take you back to your hotel and Z
want to see Pancho''
''Ee is there; but if you take him
away will not be safe a moment. I
am afraid of Carlos"
Carlos will be kicking his toes
against iron bars before he is twenty
four hours older" replied Craig, with a
frown.
"But he is crafty. and much may be
accomplished in tweHty-four hours
You must not leave me unprotected"
Unprotected, Carmen? Unprotected?
I will never leave you unprotected as
long as live if you will give me the
right to protect you. Hush! Hush!
That slipped out without permission
Carmelita; but l mean it, l mean it.
1t is too sudden, but am sudden feI-
low, and you must not mind. Have I
frightened you, Carmen? Am l great
big brute? There; keep back your
tears and forget that 1 said what
did"
She raised her glowing eyes to his
and, looking deep into his, own, re-
piled:
81 do not want to forget it. Iiwant
to remember it-always, Craig"
After that neither spoke during a full
minute, but sat like two statues gaz-
ing into each others eyes. What ST.
lent sentences. passed. between them
then nobody will ever know. Present
ly Craig broke the silence.
"Come, Carmelita," he said gently;
1--WE must go. There is so much to do,
but + believe with it all that i am at
this moment the happiest man on
Gods green 'earth. God has been%good
to me always, but better now than ev-
er before, .querida MIA IT., .Y.:.':
And when. he turned around he for
the first time tha day discovered the
old duenha looking at him, and she
murmured SO tithat' the. words ,just
rea ched his hearing: A.:,
Z. !.'Esta, bieb. seneE, Esta muy biea!'
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