The Monticellonian., 1904-09-22
heir luster and their tenderness when

sDen0lnR the evening and not a sma 4 portion or the night in the parlor of heI relatives. or with her at some of the na. tive balls. Her eyes would woo ono down 10 hades!" was his rather pro. fane expression; and later in the nigh. away from their seductive wiles. his mind would revert 10 other eyes. and he iwou!G say: Nothing can save me from their witchery. but those other eyes away back in New England. so full of Heaven that they could WOO me back again
 Did he wish to have them woo him back? h the mines, and in the quiet of his oEn apartments, yes: when in the presence Of the Lady Mercedes. as hc had beeFnta call her, in which he was en- eoara2ed te Go so by the girl herself. no.
 His ]ove-making had grown to dimen- sions far beyond the casting of glancas and the pressure Of hands
 He had been picking up considerable l Spanish and she was teaching him mora. in addition to teaching him to make love 10 her
 Poco amado. he said to her one even ing as they sat in the little Mexican par l Tor
 ''No. no-Eopoco. nolittle," she replied i T tail, stately. fit for illustre amante such as you.' rising 10 her feet. and dis playing her really fine proportions 10 their best effect. "Yes. I little by the side of grand senor like you" as he seized her in his arms. and she threw back her head and cast at him one of those looks which it would be difficult for any man to resist when his blood was inffamed with passion. "I look UT to yon; look up to no one else in all he world. You look down on poco amado; no one but you do SO"
 AS she threw her arms about him. while he elasped her still more closely, she buried her face in his neck, and began 10 cry hysterically.
 The rest was easy. even to the forget ting of Appleby's lode-star to the far north for the time being
 .'Yo carino vosotros," he said. as he took his departure that evening "Adios"
 As he turned from the door he noticed that the squat Mexican and his fat. dumpy wife. to whom she had referred as her distant relatives, stood just out side, where they had seen the leave-tak- ing. and heard his endearment spoken in Spanish. They turned away, seemingly having taken no notice
 ,'l say, Appleby,' said the only one of his associates at the mine. who pre- sumed on speaking of such matters 10 him. you will pardon me old man. but l have strong reasons for asking Hew much are you committed to that Mexican girl with whom you are flirting SO dts- perately, and about whom the entire town is talking"
 Appleby flushed. and at first was dis posed to resent the remark.
 ''l am afraid it has gone beyond mere Irritation. Besides. she is a Spanish girl not Mexican.
 Spanish grandmother Do her father and mother look like S.aniards2
 "I have never seen them. She told me they were dead
 Why they are not dead. and you see them every time they watch you come and go from the house."
 Those old people; she told me. were distant relatives
 They are her father and mother. Do you want such a looking old erone as that woman around your house to do the honors, dozen years from now if you are foolish enough to marry this ads- venturess?"
 Are you telling me the truth?"
 'I am. Everybody knows it but yon"
 What shall do. The old man would probably kill me if should attempt to break with the girl"
 There is but one thing to do Re- sign your position here quietly and take the stage tomorrow night for the north. You can catch the train at some station 25 or 30 miles away. They will watch the trains, but will not think of the stage"
 All right Thank you l shall be glad to get away from her wiles The sweetness was beginning to cloy, ex- cepting when I was tasting it.
 Take no baggage. We will send that on afterward.
 The next night. instead of making his usual call at the home of Mercedes. Ap- pleby, disguised as rough miner. boarded the stage and the driver cracked his whip and started northward
 Half mile on the way, just in the edge of the town. stood the home of Mercedes. where he had passed so many happy hours in the company of his enehantress. He sat well back in the stage. with his hat pulled down over his eyes 10 avoid recognition.
 Directly opposite the house. the stage was halted by musical feminine voice. the owner of which opened the door of the vehicle. and gave glance inside.
 Then she got in and gave the order to the driver to go ahead.
 "Perfido novio," she exclaimed. "You go without Hispano senorita? No, Poeo amada go too. Yes. To cariro vosotros, illustre amante, You would not break my heart? No,"
 And she threw her arms about his neck passionately as the stage rolled away into the darkness