Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1913-08-28
HEART OF MUCnACHA
BY CHARLES W. cUNo.

that carried the bullion sacks from
the Golden Nugget mine to Sonora
had been robbed by a lone highway.
man. Haskell. superintendent Of the
mine, stood at the window Of his dingy
little assay Office and revolved the
matter In his mind.
Another consignment was ready for
Its trip down the mountain side and its
immediate shipment was imperative.
The guard that had been sent with the
bullion had each time proved himself
a coward. Haskell knew not whom to
send.
Into the range of his vision came
the graceful figure Of Dolores, daugh.
ter of Sonora Valdes, the half-Mexlcan
boarding house keeper. She was the
one beautiful thing in all that barren
wilderness.
"Muchacha," little child. her mother
called her still, although she had
grown into slender womanhood. And
"Muchacha" she was called by all the
rough, tender.hearted miners In the
camp. They worshiped her, perhaps
the one thing Mexican that they did
not hate in the whole district Of So
nora. But OF all Of them there was
but one upon whom she would even
cast glance.
1.-THE Boy" they called him. He
had drlfted in from no one knew
where, n reckless daredevil, whose
face was so fair and boylike In con-
trast to their rough skins that "The
Boy" seemed as natural to say AZ II
he really had not reached mans es-
tate.
And II was to meet THE Boy" that
Dolores was tripping down the steep
trail to the mine tunnel.
The moment Haskell saw her, an
idea popped into his head.
He opened the door. "Muchacha!"
he called. "Muchacha!"
The girl game obedient to his call.
"Will you tell FL Senior Boy that I
wish tc see him." he said in Mexican
patios.
is it that the senior wished him to
20 with the bullion tomorrow"
Haskell smiled. Hush! Not a word
10 anyone" he said. But how did you
guess it, Muchacha?"
Listen, noble senor," she said,
stubbornly, he must not 60, for II he
is killed. I will be as one dead. My
heart will be broken. Listen, senior,
have you forgotten the day that |
warned you of ugly Pedro and his
wicked knife?"
Haskell's face softened. mo, MI
chacha mia, that have not" he said,
earnestly. "You saved my life that
day. said then If ever you should
ask OF me favor that could grant
would grant it. / will keep my prom:
Use. but If you ask this Of me whom
can get to take the bullion to 80
nora?"
81, Gran Senior, it is l that win do
It."
"You!" he exclaimed, incredulous-
~.
"ThInk you l cannot shoot?" she
cried, fearful, now that she had made
the resolve, that her request would
not be granted. Look" She seized
The pistol that hung in the holster by
his side and leveled at bald eagle
that lowered almost overhead. At the
frst shot the bird paused In its hight
uuivered and an instant after came
tumbling earthward.
rs the senior convinced?" she cried.
Il am brave and besides, would the
ian 1T hurt @ woman?' she Queried.
"If you insist, Muchacha, cannot
refuse you. 1t shall be as you say, but :
but, my heart misgives me. IL
If could leave this cursed place
would 90 myself"
Il NH not be hurt, and I have your
,~omise, have / not?" she cried gayly.
Tomorrow 1t is at nine, then? And"
laughingly shaking her finger at him,
tell it to no one. Good night, senior.
Buenas Ncches."
The next day the stage rumbled
away with but one occupant, Mucha'
cha and her bullion sacks. To her
side the superintendent had strapped
his pistol. Down through the canyon
the stage rumbled, and the cowardly
driver whipped up his horses. for 1t
was Just around the next bend that the
robber had last held up the stage.
The horses rounded the bend In
safety and the driver was just draw.
ing a long breath Of relief when
Ping!-the OF horse fell with Q bullet
through his heart. The stage stopped
with lurch and as it did so masked
man sprang from the shelter Of rock
and advanced toward the stage, pis-
toll leveled in either hand.
An instant afterward the door Of
the stage opened and Muchacha stood
in the doorway. AS she did 30 q squirt
of flame came from the pistol In her
hand and the bandit fell dead. Laugh
ing lightly, she ran to the prostratS
form and snatched away the mask.
Her hand sought her heart. She
reeled. She almost cried out Il was
1.-THE Boy"
A moment only did the shock
weaken her. She turned and walked
steadily to the stage.