Gilpin observer., 1909-10-21

ride from the Lode. Just now, as Sne
American answered the call. the va
cant eyes rekindled The daughters
drew back into the midst of tho foli-
age of the court. Quesada picked at
his throat. and paper shook in his
hands.
Listen. big man." came harshly
from the gray visage. "All this is
yours-only kill Jose Costa when he
comes. and you marry my daughter.
Magda-"
But" Jim began.
The old man fell back and heard.
nor was heard again. Death crept
upon him from beneath and silently
as spring fills its basin in rock.
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 n silver
mine. but l don't see how / can keep IL.
The old man who left 1t to me wasn't
right upperarily. And I think III negot =
ate the stun and turn 1t 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
and coupling-pin: also finances for two
I've been thinking about you every min
ute. Yours until lifes sunset
JIM.
After this heavy effort Jim medi.
tated long time. The paper cover
ing the possessions Of Quesada was
made out to him. 30 he couldn't turn
1t over to the daughters Just as 1t 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.
ices as the chief of staff OF Corazel's
defenders. at the expense Of the girls.
1t 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. 1 don't
mind telling you. Jim III you'll burn this
letter.. that l might have waited bit
longer, except that there Is no redemp-
ton for woman when she begins to re-
fleet the glow of ''life's sunset" 1t Isn't
mean to tell you that I'm happy. because
know you are. Jim Quest couldn't help
being happy
Yours the other side OF sunset.
NETT1E HOLDING.
Jim drew out his match box,
scratched a Vesuvian. and dutifully
ignited the letter ITS fact" he
reflected. 81 suppose should have
written to her. After all, Jerry Hold
ing is 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 Senior Quesada What a gorgeous
creature Magdalena was
The next day he set out upon his
journey. Word that the Lost Lode had
been found startled the sleepy city.
An expert and a representative of cap
ital 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 foe to their race, Jim
rode into Corazel one jeweled dawn
after an absence of four days. 1t was
right good to be home again.
The natives gathered about his
pony near the edge Of the village. and
1t 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. Senior jim" they told him
breathlessly, "Senor Jose did not en-
ter CoraZel. He remained with his
men out on the mesa and whistled. 1t
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. squirting on toward the casa
of the late Senor Quesada.
II guess I'll have TO go down deep
er into Mexico" he muttered. Cora.
eel ia getting too heady and tumultu.