Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-04

spectators followed this undramatic
meeting. Something in the blighted
beauty of Gtlmer's daughter had be-
wildered and awed them. Her looks
had the piteOusness of flower which
frost has touched. of a bird with a
broken wing. of everything young and
helpless. and lovely, and despoiled.
''Nuestra senora,'' said Luis Lucero,
suddenly breaking the silence, lit was
like the passing of a soul, a lost soul"'
There was a murmur OF appreciative
assent. Every one looked admiringly
at Luis, who. leaning on the fence be-
fore his fathers good 'dobe dwelling.
still turned his handsome face upon
the porch Of the company's store. A
great respect for Luis Lucero prevailed
in town. He spoke every tongue that
was spoken in this place of many
tongues, and held, in consequence of his
untutored facility, position of impor-
lance in the Office of the mine. More
over, he was the only son Of Mexican
who, since his cornfeld had formerly
street, had reaped some advantage
from the arrival in town of commerce
and civilization in the form of one col
liery, two shops and six saloons. Also,
Luis was young and straight and slen-
der. His eyes were as beautiful as a
girls, but holder than girls should
be. He held his head imperiously,
though this bearing may have been
due to an informing spirit OF dominance
less than to Luis CONVICTION that ne
was not so tall as he should have been.
He was not. indeed, man OF much
stature, for all his presence; to remedy
the defect he wore boots with minc1ng
cowboy heels, which contributed to his
gait certain effect OF dashlng 0aunt-
"A lost SOUL yes," said Luis. tossing
the vision aside with the gesture of one
who fears longer to gaze upon 1t. But.
Ave Maria. it ISIS there, the beauty. 1t
ISIS there. hid like the beauty OF deao
The chilling force of this flower OF
rhetoric proved so depressing to most or
his listeners as to send them forthwith
to the cheer Of adjacent bars. But Luis
himself stood for long time thrumming
dreamily on the fence rail. and regarding
the light in a window above the store.
"She is like the night of Colorado" he
starlight and cold. and the smell
Of alfalfa blossoms and the moaning OF
doves
Those who had hoped that Miss Gilmer
would prove a charming addition to the
social life of Aguilar were fated to a
complete measure of disappointment. For
as the summer wore on no one could
DOdSt OF NlOT0 IMAM ihciO Woiu viii
her; and the picnics and various peach
and melon days and apple and flower
festivals Of surrounding towns. attract
ing as they did the youth and age of
the community, We're never graced by
the pale presence of Gilmer's daughter.
'Loreny amt what you'd call no way
lively cyril" said Mrs. Gilmer to In
quiring neighbors. "And She amt been
right peart for some years back. Some
of our folks lowed that Colorado arid
likely give her back her sperets. But
seems like it amt good for nothing but
lung trouble, and they amt sign of
that in our family either side. She's just
kind of mopy-like. though" added the
mother quickly, 'gyrls are often that-a-
way! l can remember when l was young
how I used to hev fits Of just naturally
crying my eyes out fer nothing on the
face of the earthr'
1t CHANGED that Luis Lucero, having
overheard q number of statements SINH
lar to this. felt a growing interest in
Gilmer's girl and the cloistral seclusion
she kept and her causeless melancholy.
There was to him something rare in her
depression: 1t indicated spiritual fine
ness inapt to burgeon In the harsh eli
mate of the material world. He, Luis
Lueero, had himself known moments of
disgust with the grossness OF the human
scene. Few, indeed, were delicately
enough adjusted to catch at sentiment
SO subtly expressive OF superior parts,
but he understood perfectly-only too well
he understood!
Continuing to dwell much upon the sub
ject, Luis began to find many errands
to the company's store. He went out of
his way interestedly to examine the stock
of "slickers," and found it necessary to
discuss frequently with Gilmer the quail
ity Of the oil sold for mine use. as well