El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-07-09
MARIA
By Henri Bejar

Old Hendryck was a Smuggler living
in a little house on the Belgian from
tier Behind the house was a vegetable
garden. small orchard. and just
enough pasture to Keep a cow and
three sheep.
Inside the house was his daughter, a
pretty barefooted maid of 16, and a
big wolflike dog, Medor. 1t was not
without reason that old Hendryck had
bought the big dog, for Maria's mother
had died when her daughter was only
baby, and the girl was very often
left alone for many days while her
father was away on his dangerous ex-
petitions. and where there is a pretty
girl admirers are never, far off.
The old smuggler was not a very hos
pitable person, and the only man who
ever entered the house was strangely
enough a custom officer, Pierre Ar
mand, cousin of Maria's mother, who
had known the girl ever since she was
born.
Years passed Maria was now II, and
though Pierre felt as young as when
he was 20, he was nevertheless IS years
old.
As Pierre passed the house one morn
Ing he saw Maria standing in the brook
under the blooming apple tree. A ray
of the sun fell through the pink blos-
SONS and lent her hair a golden splen-
dor With both hands she was holding
up her skirt. while she looked at the
water running around her bare ankles.
She was enjoying the cool freshness of
the water, but as she heard the sound
of Pierre's footsteps she turned her
head with a happy smile and cried:
Il am coming, I am coming"
IL -I1o 4 III
inside the house, threw her arms around
his neck and kissed him as she had al
ways been used 10 do. For the first
time Pierre noticed her red, full lips,
and as she sat on his lap with her arms
around him, he trembled and realized
that it was no longer little girl, but
a grown-up maiden he had on his
lap.
He pushed her away gently and she
asked in surprise: What is the matter?
What have I done?"
He was very pale, and asked her for
a drink of water.
Just then Hendryck entered, and
Pierre Armand said gruffly: Il really
think it is about time you told Maria
not to run around barefooted.'
Hendryck evidently guessed what
was taking place in Pierre's mind, for
a wicked CLEAN came into his eyes and
he smiled with his ugly toothleSs
mouth as he answered:
"Oh. Maria Is not yet IS. but you
may be right after all. If any of her
admirers should get too troublesome I
have my gun, and will shoot any one
who tries to insult her"
Pierre shuddered.
After that day Maria had to consent
to wear shoes and stockings Her dress
was made longer, and she wore her hair
in a knot on the top of her head,
though it felt so heavy that she could
hardly stand II.
Pierre was greatly surprised as he
saw the change, and he suddenly real
lied as she. as usual, kissed him full
on the lips, that he was in love with the
girl he had always looked upon as a
mere child. In love in spite of his 40
years and the fact that his hair was
already turning gray at the temples.
As we'll as he could he struggled
against his love- but in vain. Her face
was always before him as he wandered
about through field and for
est, until at last he threw himself
down. buried his face in the fallen
leaves and cried because of his own
weakness.
After each attack he thought himself
strong enough TO meet Maria again. but
as soon as she was near him he felt