The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-03-18
The WOMAN ENTERS.
By LYNCH.


In the chaparral on the edge OF
the bluff Dick Matson lay fiat on
his stomach. his chin propped on n
hand, while the other rested llghtly
on the shining barrel of a rife. Be-
low, on the further bank OF the
river. Escolante. the cattle-thlet'
strutted back and forth before the
door of his cabin. his gun IN ms
hands, his strident voice proclaiming
to the air his disdain for all grlngos
in general, and for the white-livered
chingado Matson in particular.
Matson, unseen, and his presence
only dimly apprehended by the
strange animal instinct of the hall
breed, could hear with sufficient
plainness the gusts Of wrath and OBJ
jurgation which foated up from be-
low; and when his W name was
mingled with especially acrid Vltu-
,erations, the rage to which he dared
give no more audible vent expressed
itself in tense and impotent mutter-
ings.
I'll get you yet. you old cattle
thief. o Lord. o Lord, to have to lie
here and take such blasted impu-
dence from a black-hearted Apache
. mongrel," This when Escolantes
remarks on the status and heredity
If the gringo became particularly
personal and historic, "Wish l
wasn't a white man and Id take a
oot-shot at you for luck. just as you
stand, you cattle-stealing. lying
yhelp. Cursed nonsense anyway,
waiting for proof. and taking a NAL
% the law, when l know darn well
you've a steer OF mine slowed away
IN the bushes somewhere. Wait till
[ find your cache, or catch you red
handed; and I'll make you sweat for
this"
SO each vocal volley from below,
directed against the unseen foe that
he half-breed apprehended to be
lurking near, was answered by the
hidden enemy with n no less heart
felt because of being. for strategic
purposes, necessarily unheard.
AS the time passed Matson's limbs
grew increasingly cramped and stiff.
Decidedly, he reflected. Escolante had
the best of the game. He warlly
stretched himself into a new posi-
ton. The hours slipped by; and still
&. the half-breed. warned by his subtle
instinct for danger. kept up his gro
iesque parade: and still the watching
nan was baf1ed OF his clue.
The shadows heightened on the
river. A few crows, loudly cawing,
shook themselves out of the branches
of a tree near the cabin and winged
themselves for the homeward flight.
Dusk was all but fallen; and the
watcher painfully stirred his limbs.
preparing for a furtiye retreat, when
4 new element entered the scene be-
low.
The girl who stepped to the door
of the cabin was slim and 1.-the as 4
willow from the stream. Her black
hair fell sleek and straight on either
side of her face. hanging in thick
braids nearly to her knees. She
raised one hand to her forehead
shading her eyes for a long look ny
the river. and the movement had the
supple. untaught grace o. a wild
thing of the woods.
Matson drew his breath in some
thing that came dangerously near to
being a whistle. So this was EsCo-
lante's daughter-child Of 4 Mexican
mother and a half-breed father-whn
with the sisters at Santa Barbara,
He vaguely recalled having heard OF
the girls return. This could he none
other than she; for what woman,
young and beautiful. would fore
gather with that wicked old Esco.
lante.
He cautiously reached for his BIZ
noculars, with which he had so care
fully scanned the landscape earlier
in the day. The girl stood as if posed,
straining her level gaze toward tho
sunset. The glass revealed her face,
a warm brown oval. the curves as
soft and perfect as a child's. yet with
the fullness and richness Of early
womanhood. The heavy brows were
arched. The thick iaskes. fringing
lids now wide-nuns. ~ soft fawn,
like eyes. surely must shadow hel
cheek when the lids were lowered
The rcd, CURING lips were slightly
parted, disclosing white teeth. firm.
set and regular.
The glass did its work we'll. Tho
girl might have been standing close
by; so close that if one reached out
q hand one might touc 1 the brown
curve of the check. or part the silky
masses Of her hair. The T. an caught
his breath sharply till it Kissed be-
tween his teeth. The pain in his
limbs was forgotten. The girls face
held him like a spell.
Suddenly the upraised hand fell