Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-26

prise. There is no time for further
trifling and we must understand each
other clearly. Crisis approaches fast-I
have not weeks to WOO you in-1 have no
option but to act. You know that I in
| tend to marry you-and that our union
will save San Benito from"
She interrupted him with flashing eyes.
jure your unfortunate country.
You know that I will never marry you
not even in order to fill your empty
purse. You know that If you are forced
from your dictatorship tomorrow San
Benito will be better off than 1t is today.
1T have told you that my troth is
pledged elsewhere. and. let me tell you.
since there is no time for further trif1ing.
that hold my least pledge sacred. Would
you could say as much!'
His face grew livid as she thus defied
him. for heretofore their intercourse had
been more guarded. and he had never
doubted that. sooner or later. he would
be able to achieve his object. and her al
legiance to his rival thus set forth in
words for the first time. was in itself
sufficient to provoke him to the point OF
| would dare to beard the Tiger Of San
Benito in his own den!
"Cuerpo de dios! swore the president
It'll free you from your troth. fair cousin
have finished" He rushed to the door
"Chamberlain! Find Father AuEustin
and tell him that he is to travel with us
We leave within five minutes. And let
the people know that shall bring a bride
back with me from the Golden Horse.
shoe-the Dona Beatriz Ybarra."
The official who had come at his call
went away hastily to carry out his
orders, and when the president set forth
again with his party there was a priest
| faction Of Dennis O'Dare, who thought
that three in a travelling carriage was the
worst Of company.
All the church bells were ringing wild
ly. At the street corners there were
cheering crowds His excellency's waning
much-needed FLIP. and that in the nick
of time. Could he but succeed in re-
plenishing his empty treasury he might
count on their close allegiance.
steps. whence he had sped the couple
whose announced engagement had sc
pleased the tickle populace. laughed with
low glee.
The fool-' he said. speaking thus dis
respectfully Of his superior. The stupid
fool-to think that such a woman would
defy him with mere words"
A long days journey took the tired
travellers into the far recesses Of that
great sierra whose volcanic peaks look
faithful to his task went with them all
the way, and 1t was well he did so. for in
wild ravine they were beset by a
| strong body OF insurgent infantry. wild
| mountaineers and no mean marksmen
| who, under more efficient leadership
! might have put period to this history
there and then. After a fierce contest
| they were driven from their coigns OF
vantage with only the death of a dozen
| government troopers to their credit. The
| defle was picketed. fresh horses har.
messed in the place Of those which had
fallen under fire. the two women came
forth from among the boulders behind
| which they had found shelter and the
cortege reached its destination without
| further incident
The Golden Horseshoe was a vast re.
| cess. scooped by some prfmeval power
out Of the perpendicular cliff face which
| spread for leagues on either side of it.
! towering farther than the eye could
reach. It's only opening looked back to-
| ward Alta Cruz across the Intervening
| hilltops, and vas guarded by a natural
rampart-like ridge. through which a mar
| row entrance had been blasted by the
| hand Of man. Above It was the sky
nodded to a horseshoe shape by the en-
circling walls Of rock, all golden yellow
| in the evening sunshine.
| Within lay great circular expanse OF
level pasture. well watered by the noun
] tain stream. which showed like q white