United labor bulletin., 1913-07-12
HEART OF MUCHACHA
BY CHARLES W. .cuNo.

that carried the bullion sacks from
the Golden Nugget mine to Sonora
had been robbed by 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
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-Mexican
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 a glance.
"The Boy" they called him. He
had drifted in from no one knew
where, a reckless daredevil, whose
face was SO fair and boylike in con-
trast to their rough skins that "The
Boy" seemed as natural to say as II
he really had not reached mn's es-
tate.
And it 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 came obedient to his call.
"will you tell Ell Senior Boy that
wish to see him." he said in Mexican
patios.
rs 1t that the senior wished him to
go with the bullion tomorrow"
Haskell smiled. "Hushi Not a word
to anyone" he said. But how did you
guess 1t, Muchacha?"
Listen, noble senor." she said.
stubbornly, "he must not go. for II he
is killed, l will be as one dead. My
heart will be broken Listen. senor,
have you forgotten the day that
warned you of ugly Pedro and his
wicked knife?"
Haskelrs face softened. mo. Mu-
chacha mia, that have not" he said.
earnestly. You saved my life that
day. / said then II ever you should
ask OF me favor that l could grant
would grant it. will keep my prom
Use. but IL you ask this of me whom
can / get to take the bullion to So
nora?'
'T. Gran Senior. it is 1 that will do
It."
"Youi" he exclaimed. incredulous-
Iy.
Think you / cannot shoot?' she
cried, fearful now that she had made
the resolve, that her request would
not be granted 'Lookl" She seized
the pistol that hung in the holster by
his side and leveled at a bald eagle
that hovered almost overhead. AT the
first shot the bird paused in its flight
quivered and an instant after came
tumbllng earthward.
rs the senor convinced?' she cried
| L
bandit hurt a woman she queried.
'1f you insist. Muchacha. l cannot
refuse you. 1t shall be as you say. but
but, my heart misgives me. II
II I could leave this cursed place /
would go myself"
'T will not be hurt, and have your
promise, have l not?" she cried gayly.
| Tomorrow 1t is at nine. then? And"
laughingly shaking her finger at him.
tell 1t to no one. Good night. senor.
Buenas Noches."
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 bullet
through his heart. The stage stopped
with a lurch and as It did SO a masked
man sprang from the shelter of rock
and advanced toward the stage. a pis-
tol leveled In either hand.
An instant afterward the door OF
the stage opened and Muchacha stood
in the doorway. AS she did SO spurt
of fame came from the pistol in her
hand and the bandit fell dead. Laugh
ing lightly. she ran to the prostrate
form and snatched away the mask.
Her hand sought her heart. She
reeled. She almost cried out. 1t was
THE Boy"
moment only did the shock