The Washington bee., 1911-08-05
THE Gil A
MONSTER
By DAVID WALTER CHURCH

southwest, was merry child df she
had been born in the north she would
have been a child; but, being a Mexi-
can, she was q woman). She might
lave been anywhere from fourteen to
sixteen. She played the guitar and
sang with little birdlike voice, jab-
bered Spanish musicaIly, danced, and
her face wore perpetual smile, which
was for every one. But If any person
attempted 70 guy her she would knit
her brows and shrink away as though
terrified. And once her confidence
was lost by bit of banter her good
Will could never be regained.
There was young engineer engaged
on the same work as myself out there, at
the time fresh from one of the ''Teck'
schools of the northern, states. He
was twenty years old, handsome as a
picture and as bright as a new brass
button. What must he do but make
love to Inez with all the recklessness
Of youth regardless Of the conSe-
QuenceS both to himself and heri l,
who was older, saw his danger and
warned him. I knew what was up,
for In the evening when the days
work was over l would hear on the
BaSquemento veranda the twang OF
Inezls guitar. her little flute voice, her
merry laughter mingled with sounds
which 1 recognized as coming from
Ben Eggleston, the young man who
was sowing the wind to reap the Thiri-
wind.
''You little fool" I would ssy to him,
"don't you know that the girl is a Mn
Cling OF child and woman-child in IN
experience, woman in development;
that she will fall in love with you and
then
sTu break it off at once" would be
the young fellows invariabie reply.
The boy fully intended to keep his res
o8ution when it was made, but gave up
trying to do so when it got cold. The
next night l would hear the same
pleasant sounds on the veranda and
knew that they were breeding the
same storm.
This went on till the work on that
division was finished and we were
about to move. EgglestOn assured me
there wouldn't be any trouble. The
giri was such 8 child that he couldn't
believe she had been attracted TO him
as she might have been If more or 6
woman. He was going away and
would simply bid her goodby as he
would any other girl Of immature
years whose companion he had been.
my advice to you," 1 said, lis to dC
no such thing. Go without saying any
thing about your going"
He didn't take my advice. The dag
before leaving he told her in a care
less way that the engineering party t.
which he belonged was going to move
its headquarters.
"And 1 will not see you againY' saf(
the girl, her smile vanishing.
perhaps not" replied Ben, not think
ing it wise to leave her to look for
ward to meeting him again. "You'l
grow up soon and get married. Thel
you won't want any young men friendi
like me-"
In order the better to Kill in her al
expectation Of getting any nearer t
him he told her he had a girl in tn
north.
That evening I met Inez carrying
cudgeI in one hand and canvas bal
in the other. She wore the same limo
cent look she had always worn, but
noticed a peculiar glitter IN her eye
There was something incongruous Il
q little girls carrying bludgeon, and
naturally fearful for Ben Egglestor
I could not help vaguely connecttnt
the act with the jilting he was g1Vtn
her. She passed me without Iook1ni
back, and, taking position behind
tree, watched her.
She went along, looking about he
on the ground as if searching for some
thing. She spent half an hour in tht
way, following her, taking new pc
sitdon now and then where l Toul'
not be observed by her. Presently
saw her hit something with her wear
ON. Then she picked up what lOoke'
to me from q short distance like
baby alligator. She held it by the tai
dropped it into the bag, closed tn
mouth and went away.
I didn't know what 1t all meant; bui
stin timorous about Ben, told him b
had better not wait for the moving o
the party, but get out at once. ii
laughed at me and said there wa
nothing TO fear and If there were b
wouldn't run from a little Mextca
girl who had scarcely given up he
doll.
We engineers slept in long ten
} porary building one story high. Tha
night 1 was startled by an unearthl
yeu. springing out Of bed, ran alon
} % a room where Eggleston and roo
man slept The window was ope1
and Eggleston had Just struck hgh
his roommate was holding one lie
and wrtthing with pain.
XII ttF' he yelled.
Then saw little alligator lochn
thing on the floor.
@KIn IL! It's the Cha monster an
has bitten me. I'm gone up"
. Inez's actions were explained. Sh