Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1913-11-20
HEART OF MUCHACHA
BY CHARLES W. cuNo.

FOR the past TWO ulpS Inc S1Bo
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 lis dingy
little assay office and revolved the
matter in his mind
Another consignment was ready for
its trip down the J1ountain 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 haf-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
"Muchachs- 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.
THE Boy they called him. He
had drifted in from no one knew
where. a reckless daredevil, whose
face was so fair and boyltke in con-
trast to their rough skins that The
Boy" seemed as natural 10 say as II
he really had not reached mans 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. "Muchache!
he called "Muchacha!"
The girl came obedient to his call.
win you tell Ell Senior Boy that l
wish to 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
to anyone" he said But how did you
guess it, Muchacha?"
Listen. noble senior" she said,
stubbornly, "he must not go for If he
is killed. I viii 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?"
Haskens face softened. mo, Mu-
chacha mia, that I have not" he said,
earnestly. you saved my life that
day. / said then if ever you should
ask of me a 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 So
nora?'
Il. Gran Sanor. it is I that win do
It"
Your he exclaimed, incredulous-
ly.
Think you I. 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 leyeled at a bald eagle
that lowered almost overhead. At the
first shot the bird paused in its fight,
quivered and an instant after came
tumbling earthward.
rs the senior convinced?" she cried.
II am brave and besides, would the
bandit hurt a woman2 she queried.
IF you insist, Muchaeha, / cannot
refuse you. 1t shall be as you say, but
but, my heart misgives me. II
II | could leave this cursed place ]
would go myself"
q will not be hurt, and have your
promise, have 1 not?" she cried gayiy,
Tomorrow it is at nine, then? And"
laughingly shaking her finger at him.
"tell it 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 hen
side the superintendent had strapped
his pistol. Down through the canyon
the stage rumbled, and the cowardly
driver whipped up his horses, for il
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 long breath of relief when
Ping the off horse fell with bullet
through his heart. The stage stopped
with lurch and as it did so a masked
man sprang from the shelter Of rock
and advanced toward the stage, a pis
toll leYeled in either hand.
An instant afterward the door Of
the stage opened and Muchacha stood
IN the doorway. AS she did so a squirt
of flame came from the pistol in her
hand and the bandit fell dead. Laugh
ing lightly, she ran to the prostrsts
form and snatched away the mask
Her hand sought her heart She
reeled She almost cried out. 1t was
"The Boy"
A moment only did the shocA
weaken her. She turned and walked
steadily TO the stage
'Vamosi drive en!" she cried We