The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1908-03-13
THE WOMAN ENTERS.
BY KATHARINE LYNCH.

55fEyd1D2S StSSSleX
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 a rifle 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, his 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
jurgation which floated 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 black-hearted Apache
mongrel!" This when Escolante' s
remarks on the status and heredity
OF the gringo became particularly
personal and historic. wish /
wasn't white man and I'd take a
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 q 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 new posi-
ton. The hours slipped by; and still
the half-breed, warned by mis- 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 flight.
Dusk was all but fallen; and the
watcher painfully stirred his limbs,
preparing for furtive 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 III
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 a Mexican
mother and half-breed father-whc
since her mothers death had beer
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 bi.
nocuiars, with which he had so care.
1ully scanned the landscape earlier
IN the day. The girl stood as If posed
stralning her level gaze toward the
sunset. The glass revealed her face
a warm brown oval, the curves as
SOFT and perfect as child's, yet with
the fullness and richness of early
womanhood. The heavy brows were
arched. The thick iashes, fringins
mas now wide-flung, over soft fawn
IKE eyes, surely must SHADOW hel
cneek when the lids were lowered
me red, curving lips were slightly
parted, disclosing white teeth, firm,
set and regular.
Inc glass did its work well. The
siri might have been standing close
os; so close that II one reached out
nand one might touc.. the brown
curve OF the cheek, or part the silk,
masses OF her hair. The nan caught
nls breath sharply till 1t Kissed be-
tween his teeth. The pain in hi:
nmos was forgotten. The girls face
neld him like a spell.
suddenly the upraised n.na o.,