Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-10-11
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Pardon me, but you know that am
very slightly acquainted with Mexico, for
have visited that city but rarely, and
each time without stopping"
THE Tacuba is one of the principal
streets in Mexico; 1t faces the palace"
THAT Is famous. And In whose name
did you take the house?"
"In that of Don Serapio de Ia Ronda.
Your servants arrived two days ago."
You mean"
II mean Belhumeur and Black Elk.
They have made all the arrangements,
and you can enter when you please"
To-day, then"
II will act as your guide"
THANK you; what next"
"Next, my brother Edward has taksn.
In his own name, at the San Lazaro gate
a small house, where ten horses, belong
ing to the purest mustang breed, were
at once placed in magnificent corral"
THAT concerns Curumilla."
And now one other thing, my friend"
"Speak p
You will not be angry with mer
with your nonsense = said Valentine,
nOlulnB out mis- nanQ.
"Not knowing whether you had sufi-
cient funds at your disposal-and you
will agree with me that you will require
large sum-,
Il know It. WellT"
"Well, L"
Il see l must come to your assistance,
my poor Antonio. As you believe me a
poor hunter not possessed Of farthing,
and are 30 delicate minded yourself, you
have placed in a corner of the room, or
In some article Of furniture, Of which
you want to give me the key and don't
know how, fifty or perhaps one hundred
thousand piastres, with the reservation to
offer me more, should not that sum prove
sufficient"
Would you be angry with me had l
done so?"
"On the contrary, should be most
grateful to you"
I'm that case I am glad"
Glad Of what, my dear Antonio?"
THAT you accept the hundred thou
sand piastres."
Valentine smiled
II am delighted to find that you are
the man judged you to be. Still, dc
not accept it."
do you refuse, valentinel" he said
mournfully.
Let us understand each other. I dc
not refuse; simply tell you that dc
not want the money, and here is the
proof" he added, as he took out folded
paper, you, as banker, may know the
firm Of Thornwood, Dawson & Co."
1T Is the richest In San Francisco"
'Then open that paper and read"
Mr.. Rallier obeyed.
AN unlimited credit opened at my
house," he exclaimed in voice tremu.
lous with joy.
Does that displease your Valentine
asked with a smile.
"On the contrary; but you must be
rich in that case"
A cloud of sadness passed over the
hunters forehead.
II have grieved you, my friend"
ALAS as you know, there are certain
wounds which never close. Yes, my
friend, am rich; Curumilla, Belhumeur
and myself alone know in Apacheria the
richest placer that exists In the world.
1t was for the purposes of going to this
placer that I did not accompany you to
Mexico; now you understand; but what
do care for this incalculable fortune,
when my heart is dead, and the Joy Of
my life is forever annihilated !"
And under the weight of the deep emo
tion that crushed him, the hunter hung
his head down and stifed a sob.
"Koutonepi," said Curumilla in a hol-
low voice, remember. that you have
sworn to avenge our brother"
| The hunter drew himself up as IL stune
by serpent, and pressed the hand of the
Indian offered him.
women alone weep for the dead, be-
cause they are unable to avenge them. ="
the Indian continued in the same harsh.
cutting accent.
"Yes, you are right" the hunter an
swered with feverish energy; II thank
you, chief"
Curumilla laid his friends hand on his
heart and stood for an instant motion
less, at length he let 1t fall. sat down
again, and wrapping himself in his sa-
rape, he returned to his habitual silence.
AioAh WhiSh oo SiuNc a alone
could have aroused him.
Forgive me, my friends, for having
forgotten, during a moment, the character
l have assumed" said Valentine in a gen.
tie voice.
Their hands were slightly extended to
him.
Now" he exclaimed in a firm voice
''let us speak of that poor Dona Anita de
Torares."
ALAS" said the elder Rallier, II can
not tell you anything, although my sister
Helena, her companion at the Convent
of the Bernardines, to which sent her.
has let me know that she would have
grand news for us In few days"
II will give you that news, with your
permission" Don Martial said at this
moment, suddenly joining In the converse.