The Green Forest tribune., 1909-10-15

From the paper which made him rich, Jim glanced out into the court where the fountain tinkled. He met the eyes of Magdalena there. Some how, he thought about that breezy night in the campus. and how Nettie's eyes were lit. Presently he dropped into his hammock. and his mind played with the puzzle, until slumber drew on apace. When he awoke he wrote to Nettie. Here is part: I've got a world of money in a silver , mine, but I don't see how I can keep it. The old man who left it to me wasn't right upperarily, and I think I'll negot ate the stuff and turn it over to the daughters. Sit tight, little girl: I'll get | a-hold of another fortune somewhere. Don't forget that I'll happen in upon you | one of these Sundays with a preacher | ana coupling-pin; also finances for two. we been thinking about you every min- ute. Yours until life's sunset. JIM After this heavy effort, Jim medi- | tated long time. The paper cover l ing the possessions of Quesada was made out to him, so he couldn't turn it over to the daughters just as it was | He must go to Amadillo and sell the Lode, dividing the proceeds between | the Sisters Quesada. He wished that the old man hadn't gone crazy at the | last. He didn't see how he could very | well reimburse himself for his serv- l ices as the chief of staff of Corazel's l defenders, at the expense of the girls. It would be holding out on the defense | less. But there was no need to | hurry. The days were very hot for | travel, and so he put off his journey | to Amadillo. He was vaguely sorry to keep Nettie waiting. Her answer came at last. Here. in full, is the in. | telligence it bore:
 Why, you dear old Delayer, I'm mar | ried and have baby Nobody but Evan geline could wait forever without any help from the postal service. I don't mind telling you, Jim df you'll burn this l letter., that l might have waited bit l longer, except that there is no redemp- l tion for woman when she begins to re- fleet the glow of ''life's sunset.' It isn't mean to tell you that I'm happy. because | I know you are. Jim Quest couldn't help | being happy.
 | Yours on the other side of sunset, NETTIE HOLDING. | Jim drew out his match box, scratched a Vesuvian, and dutifully | ignited the letter. Its fact" he reflected. q suppose I should have written to her. After all. Jerry Hold ing is a good fellow" | Magdalena came with broom and dust-pan and swept up the charred paper from the floor. How simple and restful it would be now, with Nettie dead to him, to carry out the wishes of Senor Quesada! What gorgeous creature Magdalena was!
 The next day he set out upon his 1 journey. Word that the Lost Lode had been found startled the sleepy city. An expert and a representative of cap itai accompanied Jim back to the mountain treasure. All that Quesada had dreamed was true. With sum of money that would cause certain men to turn a foe to their race, Jim rode into Corazel one jeweled dawn after an absence of four days. It was right good to be home again. | The natives gathered about his pony near the edge of the village, and it was gradually borne to Jim that Jose Costa. bandit and son of ban dit, had descended while he was away, and that Magdalena was gone. Do you mean that you allowed that robber to come in and loot the town of its lady?" Jim questioned reproach- | fully Spanish was of course being | spoken.
 But, Senor Jim." they told him breathlessly, "Senor Jose did not en- | ter Corazel He remained with his men out on the mesa and whistled. It was in the dusk, and long after he | had ridden away we found that | Senorita Magdalena was gone. with her entire torzal.'
 "Huh-'torzal?' Jim repeated duly His little Spanish dictionary gave light in the word "trousseau." I'm afraid I should have done no better than you did, neighbors," he declared at length, spurring on toward the casa of the late Senor Quesada.
 q guess I'll have to go down deep- CT into Mexico" he muttered. Cora gel is getting too heady and tumultu- ous for me-"
 Some one was standing in the door, way of the Quesada house-a figure with which his mind had grown un- familiar in the late furious days. Since the old Spaniard died. this fig ure had kept to the farthest shadows. Because there was no other, strange, shy little Juanita came forth to well come him. She ran to get him wine. as she used to, and swung his ham, mock in the coolest shadow. giving commands to the servants meanwhile.
 Its a terribly hot morning. and I've ridden long, cara mio," he said at last, but if put it off until next Sun day, some earthquake or volcanic vis- itation will get you first. Won't you please go to church with me?"
 That night they stood together in the moonlit court. Through the gate of the patio they could see the south ern mountains. white like the castles of Spain.
 There's only one cloud in the world ahead" Jim said softly. Eve got to find that interesting bandit"
 But you would not kill poor Mag dalena's husband?" Juanita implored.
 Gracious, mol" said Jim; 'but half of all this money belongs to Mazda. lena"
 Clever "HoIdup" Trick.
 A "Koepenick'' trick was success fully carried out in coffee house in Budapest one night recently. About 20 persons were gambling when