The Harlowton news., 1911-06-23
HER NARROW
ESCAPE
BY MOLLIE K. WETHERELL
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

Peplta was q Mexican girl HSH6
with an aunt in southern California.
Pepita was an orphan and had inner
tied patch of ground, on which the
two lived. Near by was another Mex
lean family consisting of father, moth
er and one son, Enrique, just coming
of age. Enrique and Pepita, being
neighbors and there being no other
young men and women near by to d.
vert them from each other. naturally
loved.
One day man was seen digging In
a patch Of ground adjoining Peplta 8
property. He was an American and,
though roughly dressed. gave evidence
of being gentleman. Seeing Pepita
standing looking at him curiously, he
went over to where she was and ask
ed for a drink Of water. Pepita got
it for him from a spring back of the
house, and the stranger chatted with
her. She asked him what he was dig
ging the hole for, and be said he was
prospecting. There had been no hunt.
ing for the precious metals there be-
fore, and Pepita did not understand
what he meant.
The stranger came over occasionally
after that for drink of water or to
borrow something. He said his name
was Thomas Burkhalter; that he was
the son of gentleman in the east
He hadn't got on we'll with his father
and had come out west to shift for
himself. Pepita thought him very
fine. After looking at his white face
Enrique's brown visage was not at all
attractive. Enrique noticed a change
In her, but was at loss to account
for 1t.
One day man came to Burkhalter's
hole. He was we'll dressed man and
wore diamond stickpin in his neck
wear. Pepita saw him and Burk
halter standing together talking and
looking over at her house. The stran
ger went away, and that evening
Burkhalter came over to see Pepita
She asked him about the man who had
visited him, but Burkhalter was un
communicative on the subject One
attentive and deferential to her.
Burkhalter during the next four OF
five days did as much courting as is
usually done in months, sometimes in
years. He quite carried Pepita off her
feet She discovered that Enrique
knew nothing at all about making love
Enrique was much distressed. What
could he do? But Enrique had more
sense than Pepita and knew a little
more about the world, though not
much more At any rate, he had sense
enough to suspect that Burkhalter haG
some motive in devoting himself to
Pepita. He went to an old rancher
who had always been kind to him and
told him his trouble. One day Enrique
went to Grigsby, the rancher, and told
him that Burk halter had asked Pepita
to marry him.
"That's all talk" said Grigsby.
mo. no." cried Enrique; they are
| to be married tomorrow. Pepita does
not wish 1t so soon, but the man in
sists. She would like to raise little
money so that she may get some new
clothes to make her appear worthy Of
so fine husband"
Grigsby thought He was turning
something over in his mind. At las
he said:
'If Pepita is going to be married
she will not need her farm. What sh'
needs is little cash. will buy bel
property. Go and ask her for wha
she will sell It But say to her tha
will not buy 1t unless she keeps m,
offer secret. You may tell her
will give her $6O0."
Enrique sorrowfully bore the mes
sage and returned with Pepita, wh'
was delighted to get SO much none!
for what was really not supposed t.
be worth more than half the amour
offered. Grigsby drew up the paper
conveying the property to Enriqu
and placed a mortgage on 1t payable
to himself
"Now." he said to Pepita, you ma,
tell whom you like that you have sol'
your farm"
In the evening Burkhalter came t
see his fiancee and asked her II sh
would be ready for the wedding tn
next day. Pepita said she would ant
gleefully told him she had sold he
property for the enormous sum o
$500. Then she showed him the none,
she had got for it.
he stood looking at her with blanl
expression for some time. then toll
her to put her name on the back of tn
check and he would ride to tow
ten miles distant and draw the money
She must be ready for the ceremon
by the time of his return. She did a
he bade her. and. leaving her. forget
ting the kiss. he departed.
Pepita waited all that day and tn
next for her lover. but he came moi
Nor has he come to this day. Pepita'
aunt at last told her that he mus
have gone away with the money TO
the farm. What should they do? Thei