The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-06-01

The brilliant wild flowers were dead
and only the darling lizards and
horned toads were enjoying the torrid
air.
A solitary rider on a large bay horse
appeared along the dusty road.
"Only a few miles farther. Don. to
the shade of the big oaks. Do a little
better. old boy. and we'll soon be
there" said a good natured voice.
The horse seemed to understand. for
in a short time they began to enter
the narrow part Of the valley. Here
the wild mustard grew high on either
side of the rock, furnishing protec-
ton. if not shade.
Trickling down between some great
rocks was a tiny stream of water. and
at sight of it the thirsty horse whin-
MED plaintively.
"Be patient a little while, Don"
said the young fellow kindly. Cool off
awhile and then you can have a good
drink. I'll see if the bucket is in the
same old place"
They We're now in the picturesque
1 enclosure known as the Monte" Un-
der the shade of the great live oaks
one could be protected from the bright
est rays of the California sun. In
their drapery of wild grape vines, the
wild sycamores looked like fairy pa
godas. or the retreats of sylvan god
desses. =.
Frank Gardner knew every foot of
this ground for he had spent the FIVE
years previous on a stock ranch ten
miles up the grade. Could it be really
4 five years since he left his desk at the
office, exchanging his pale face for
one tanned and %sunburned, and the
1 derby of civilization for the jaunty
sombrero? He whistled a gay air
from an opera heard in San Diego the
4 evening before, and smiled at a pleas
ant thought.
"Time to go on" he said to his
horse. as he adjusted the saddle and
r%emounted. Higher and higher wound
the road, sometimes only a cash in the
mountain side. Past the granite walls
of Ell Cajon, through the wickiups of
Captain Grande, toward the heights
4 of the Santa Isabel.
A bend in the road brought a little
cabin in sight, half hidden in the
shadow Of the great pines. Frank
Gardner rode up to the open doorway
and waited a moment. An olive
checked Mexican girl appeared, and
flushed with pleasure at the sight of
the tall, yellow haired young man. The
girls coarse black hair was tied with
u ribbon Of red. a rose of the same
shade was tucked above her small
Eleft ear and a brilliant scarf of the
Mexican national colors was knotted
about her waist. Her white dress was
edged by an elaborate trimming of
drawn work, and from the top of her
head to the tips of her high heeied
slippers she made a picturesque little
&figure. Looking shyly at the young
imam, she said:
1n-no? My father will be most glad
to see you"
ISL, Senorita. with your permission 1
will stop a moment. Where may I find
1.-The Senior Pacheco?'
"He is down at the sheep-pen, but l
may call him.
'Never mind. SenOrita. another time
will do just as well. BY the way. I
found a guitar arrangement of 'Sobre
LAS Sofas" said Frank as he unrolled
IA piece of music. You know I said
that I would look for it the next time I
4went down to the city"
'Gracias, Senor," and Martina's face
grew still brighter. How glad she was
that for five days she had carefully
dressed in her gala attire each after
noon, and listened eagerly for a we'll
Remembered whistle. Looking up at
THE young man she ventured softly:
"You have been for a loug time
AWAY? Is it not so?'
eyes. for three weeks. The prospect