Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-19

what was my interest in those mines at Rands
burg: Why did you only ask me if had
lover there,
Springing up she faced him 81 tell you
am not afraid of you. Don Jlmlnez. and for your
mothers sake will not reveal to anyone what
knew of the highwayman who has robbed the
stage and of the ghost of Filipo Beltempo-1
will not reveal it SO long as the stage is safe.
If it is robbed again if it Is held up again in
these hills, then will speak!
All Donna Perfecta, | have been asking
Don Jiminez to correct my Spanish. 3" she turned
to face her hostess, who at that moment entered
the room. Don J1:nlnez seems to think have
why. an old fashioned pronunciation"
THE corridor Law all in shadow: for the sun
directly overhead. The yellow roses
languorous with the heat. still perfumed the
air with their morning. dew washed fragrance
Evelyn Halleck, coming hurriedly out from the
house. stopped short. Her brows were close
a tense. hard look. But on her lips the words
ready to be spoken were stilled by the sight
of Donna PerfeCta sitting in her accustomed
seat. her hands folded as they were wont to be
folded, but on her face an expression of I'M
wonted misery. The girl looked at the woman
for moment in silence.
Don Jiminez ees gone' the mother said
disconsolatelv
So $50 supposed" the girl spoke almost
unconsciously.
Yes. sighed Donna Perfecta he ees gone
He-he said that theeS life here on the rancho
place for man. and he-he gone
IL am to have Donna Placido Vale 10 to live
with me here in hees place
Evelyn Halleck sat down hurriedly on the
edge of the hammock leaned toward the old
woman. and the words that had before been
suppressed rushed to her lips. Before they
were spoken. though. her eyes fell on the rosary
of purple beads that hung from one of Donna
Perfecta's hands.
The little golden crucifix!" she cried. You
have lost it,
The crucifx, yes" echoed Donna Perfecta
" Eet-eet needed mending. and Don Jiminez
has taken eet to the town with heem.'
The girls eyes were raised to the mother
face, and. not daring to linger there, rested on
the closely yelled head.
Donna Perfecta reading the question in
them, answered, and yes, eet ees for the golden
comb you look? That needed mending too.
Don Jininez took eet with heem. Don Jiminez
ees good son, no?'
Evelyn lay back in the hammock 81 Won
der if my rings needed mending. too," The
words were not spoken aloud. Poor Donna
Perfecta! I'm awfully afraid I'm going to
let him keep them" After long time she
murmured, Poor Don Jiminez'
THE moments crept by The hours drew out
in sweet reiteration of themselves. The
yellow sunlight crept over the tagged floor of
the corridor. The mother sat silent. The girl
Law with closed eyes in her hammock The
clouds grew opal and amethyst. The sun sank
slowly behind the hills
The shadows have gone. murmured Donna
Perfecta. And Don Jimnez ees gone. There
will be more light and no more shadow.
Eet will be all. all dark
Evelyn Halleck opened her eyes and looked
out into the garden On the highest branch of
orange tree scarlet tanager sat and. even
as the suns rim disappeared, the black wings
were spread. The girls eyes rested on the
eastern horizon where the moon would rise and
throw its own moon shadows. But there was
faintest sign yet of its coming For time it
would, indeed. be very dark. Her lips moved.
and this time her words were quite audible; but
all she said was:
Poor Don Jiminez!"