Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1908-03-14
THE WOMAN ENTERS.
BY KATHARINE LYNCH.



sFaosas v,s
In the chaparral on the edge of
the bluff Dick Matson lay fiat on
his stomach, his chin propped on one
hand, while the other rested lightly
on the shining barrel Of rife. Be-
low, on the further bank of the
river, Escolante, the cattle-thief,
strutted back and forth before the
door OF his cabin, his gun in his
hands, Ills strident voice proclaiming
to the air his disdain for all gringos
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 half
breed, could hear with sufficient
plainness the gusts OF wrath and OBJ
jurgatioB which foated up from be-
low; and when his own name was
mingled with especially acrid vitu-
perations, 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 Escolante's
remarks TN the status and heredity
of the gringo became particularly
personal and historic. wish |
wasn't a white man and I'd take
pot-shot at you for luck, just as you
stand, you cattle-stealing, lying
whelp. Cursed nonsense anyway,
waiting for proof, and taking man
to the law, when l know darn we'll
you've 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
the half-breed apprehended to be
lurking near, was answered by the
hidden enemy with one 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 warily
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
tesque parade; and still the watching
man was baffled OF his clue.
The shadows heightened on the
river. A few crows, loudly cawing,
shook themselves out of the branches
of tree near the cabin and winged
themselves for the homeward fight.
Dusk was all but fallen; and the
watcher painfully stirred his limbs,
preparing for furtiye retreat, when
new element entered the scene be-
low.
The girl who stepped to the door
OF the cabin was slim and 1.-the as a
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 long look up
the river, and the movement had the
supple, untaught grace o. 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 q Mexican
mother and half-breed father-who
since her mothers death had been
with the sisters at Santa Barbara.
He vaguely recalled having heard of
the girls 1eturn. This could Re 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 IL posed,
straining her level gaze toward the
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 lashes, ringing
lids now wide-huDg, over soft fawn-
like eyes, surely must shadow her
cheek when the lids were lowered.
The red, curving lips were slightly
parted, disclosing white teeth, firm
set and regular.
The glass did fits work we'll. The
girl might have been standing close
by; so close that II one reached out
a hand one might touc the brown
curve OF the cheek, or part the silky
masses Of her hair. rhe an caught
his breath sharply till 1t Kissed be-
tween his teeth. The pair In his
limbs was forgotten. The girls face
held him like spell.
Suddenly the appraised hand fell
to her side Escolante's daughter
turned. with swift grace and en-
tered the rude cabin. The suns red
rim slipped below the horizon. Soon
q light shone in the cabin. The man
on the bluff lay watching 1t till far
into the night. But his head was
sunk On his arms and his gun was
unheeded ut his side. When black
hgurc for on instant darkened the
doorway his heart leape up. Then
The old CLEAN OF hate sprang anew
in his yes. II was the half-breed.
Tho man in the chaparral softly
roiscl himself "l1l settle you yet"
he exultsl, Aud In the dark be