Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-06-16

by him, saying how it will be best
to come upon him. By Gregorio will
the letter come And bring many men
with thee, and have much care, oh,
dear red one. for the rattlesnake is
not quicker to strike than is Ell Chi
vato. as they call him, to send a ball
from his pistoa.'
1.-THE Kids handy with his gun, sure
enough" admitted Sandridge. but
when / come for him shall come
alone. I'll get him by myself or not
at all. The cap wrote one or two
things to me that make me want to
do the trick without any help. You
let me know when Mr.. Kid arrives
and I'll do the rest"
81 will send you the message by the
boy Gregorio," said the girl. II knew
you were braVer than that small slayer
of men who never smiles. How could
ever have thought cared for himf"
1t was time for the ranger to ride
back to his camp on the water hole
Before he mounted his horse he raised
the slight form of TOnia with one arm
high from the earth for a parting sa
lutte. No sound or movement disturb
ed the serenity. of the dense pear thick
ct ten yards away,
When the form of Sandridge had dis.
appeared. looping his big dun down the
steep banks of the Frio crossing. the
Kid crept back to his own horse,
mounted him and rode back along the
tortuous trail he had come.
But not far. He stopped and waited
in the silent depths of the pear until
half an hour had passed, And then
Tonia heard the high. untrue notes of
bis unmusical singing coming nearer
and nearer, and she ran to the edge
| of the pear to meet. him.
The Kid seldom smiled. but be smil'
ed and waved his hat when he saw
her. He dismounted and his girl sprang
| into his arms The Kid looked at her
fondly His thick black hair chung to
his head like a wrinkIed mat. The
meeting brought slight ripple OF
some undercurrent of feeling to bis
smooth, dark face that was usually as
motionless as a clay mask.
"How's my grip he asked, holding
her close.
"Sick of waiting so long for you. dear
one," she answered MY eyes are dim
with always gazing into that deviPs
pincushion through which you come
Go In and rest and let me water your
horse and stake him with the long
rope There is cool water IN the Jai
for you"
The Kid kissed her affectionately.
Not if the court knows itself do
let lady stake my horse for me-" sale
be. "But If you'll run in. chica. ant
throw a pot of coffee together while
attend to the caballo I'll be a gooc
deal obliged"
Besides his craftsmanship, the Kio
had another attribute for which he
admired himself greatly. He was
muy caballero. as the Mexicans ex
press IL, where the ladies were con
cerned For them he had always gen
lie words and consideration. He
could not have spoken harsh wore
to O woman He might ruthlessly
slay their husbands and brothers, bu
he could not have laid the weight of {
finger in anger upon woman.
At the end of the short twilight they
gathered around supper Of frijoles
goat steaks. canned peaches and cof
fee by the light Of lantern in thu
1acal Afterward the ancestor. hi'
flock corralled. smoked cigarette anC
became mummy in n gray blanket
Tonia washed the few dishes, Will,
phe Kid dried them with the fou
sacking towel Her eyes shone: sh'
chatted volubIy of the inconsequen
happenings of her small world since
the Kids last visit. 1t was as all hi
other homecomings had been.
Then outside Tonia swung in |
grass hammock with her guitar an,
sang sad canciones de amor.