Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1910-06-16

American answered the call, the va
cant eyes rekindled The daughters
drew back into the midst of the 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 a spring fills it's basin in a 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 world of money in a silver
mine, but don't see how ! can keep It.
The old man who left it to me wasn't
right upperarily, and I think I'll negot
ate the stun and turn II 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 a coupling-pin; also finances for two
I've been thinking about You every min
ute. Yours until life's sunset.
JIM
After this heavy effort, Jim medi.
tated a long time. The paper cover
ing the possessions of Quesada was
made out to him, so 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 stan 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 of his journey
to Amadillo. He was vaguely sorry
to keep Nettie waiting. Her answer
came at last Here, in full, is the In.
telligence 1t bore:
Why, you dear old Delayer, I'm mar
ried and have a baby. Nobody but Evan
geline could wait forever without any
help from the postal service l don't
mind telling you. Jim df you'll burn this
letter., that l might have waited a bit
longer, except that there is no redemp-
ton for woman when she begins to re-
fleet the glow of ''life's sunset" II isn't
mean to tell you that I'm happy, because
l 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 TITS a fact" he
reflected Il suppose | 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 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 representative Of cap
ital accompanied Jim back to the |
mountain treasure. All that Quesada |
had dreamed was true. With a 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
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, Senior Jose did not en-.
ter Corazel. He remained with his |
men out on the mesa and whistled. II |
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 l should have done no better
than you did. neighbors," he declared
at length. squirting on toward the casa
of the late Senior Quesada-
II guess I'll have to go down deep
er into Mexico" he muttered. Cora
eel is getting too heady and tumultu- !
Gus 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.
49, M ofhar cfrnnua