Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-04-29

man contemptuously offered him and.
10 her astonished disgust. drew from
his breast pocket a pipe and calmly
proceeded to fill and light 1t.
my hitting the pipe instead Of the
national vice has Jared them some" T"
meditated Blake as he knocked the
ashes out of the bowl and proceeded
to convey his bundle Of straw to the
hut which an Otomi Indian bad point.
cd out as his sleeping place.
Blake had planned to sleep with one
eye open until the pale dawn should
signify that eight hours Of repose of
a sort had been his. Then he would
arise. throw n few dollars on the floor
and resume his tramp to the frontier.
He surmised that he was not far from
the little Rio del Cuchillo. and by
keeping close to its banks he would ul-
dmately come out near Aguel, which
was a few hours walk from Fort Han
cock.
In spite Of his efforts to keep awake
the young American fell into a sleep
through which he was ever pursued
fy the fair Castilian. whose dark beau
ty enthralled his senses. So vivid were
his dreams Of her that when he awoke
he was loath to carry out his plan Of
escape.
But prudence forbade this. for he
had not comprehended enough of the
girls conversation the night before to
satisfy himself that she was not
rebel sympathizer and to be avoided.
He was passing through the arched
gateway that led into the drive when
the sound of voice smote sharply on
his ear. 1t seemed to come from the
wall of the arched passage. 1t was
the voice of the senorita.
"Quien esq"
When Blake hesitated before reply.
ing she added meaningly. If you do
not answer. insurrecto. shall shoot"
But I am not an insurrecto, senori-
tn. | am an American" he was be-
ginning when her contemptuous laugh
ended his explanation.
"Ah, senor. perhaps you are also
the commander Of the American forces
in disguise. | will thank you to return
to the courtyard to await the return
Of my father"
"And suppose ! do not surrender to
your wishes! 2!
The ominous click Of her little weap
on was the only reply. Blake could
see her now In the weird light Of the
coming day. Her lovely face was
framed In n small window cut in the
wall Of the arched passage. There
were shadows beneath her sweet eyes.
as II she had not slept. and the long
black lashes dropped against her pink
tinted cheek.
"I surrender, senorita." he said
gravely. and, lifting his hat. he re
turned to the adobe hut and once
more threw himself on the straw. a
prey to a thousand new emotions.
Presently there came the c!atter OF
hoofs as the ranchero returned from
his journey. Servants few hither and
thither, and Blake heard the distant
sound of a pleasant bass voice within
the house. At last footsteps accom-
panied the voice. and he was pleas
antly aware that the senorita was
coming, too. to exhibit her captive.
Hey. there" called out the ranch
ero I'm English. Then he added i'm
patiently. "vamos"' The girl laughed
deliciously ut her fathers mistake.
Blake appeared at the door as rag
ged specimen Of native Mexican as
one would care to meet. But now his
eyes were bright with anticipation.
and a broad grin overspread bis face
as he held out brown hand to the
astonished big blond ranchero. VINO
had American written large over
dress and feature.
"Hello. Smithw was Blake's greet
ing.
"Hello yourself" said the other.
with n puzzled stare. "Who the dick
ems are you anyway? Why. 1t Is
Blake Of the Laguna mines. You
know I'm n stockholder there. Becky"
he explained to the girl while he was
pumping Blake's arm cordially. Here.
come out Of that hole. old man, and
come in among white folks. This Is
my daughter. Rebecca. Looks like
senorita. eh? but rs loyal an Ameri'
can girl as ever left the states and
came down here to rough 1t with her
dad. Make your apologies to MIR
Blake, Becky, while I hurry up some
breakfast and room for-your prison
er, shall call hlm?"
Rebecca blushed beautifully as
Blake's hand closed on her own. u
owe you so many apologies. Mr.. Blake.
that do not know where to begin"
"No hurry about it." the young man
her. 81 believe III stay rs
long rs your father will let me. Be
sides. I'm your prisoner. surrender
ed. you know"
Rebecca did not offer to give him
back his freedom then. and afterward
1t was too late.