The Marshall republican., 1913-09-05
or MucAAcHA.
BY CHARLES W. cUNo.

Nne tOlutn NuBBet ullne W oOhOi"
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
It's 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
q coward. Haskell knew not whom TO
send. .
Into the range of his vision came
the graceful figure of Dolores, daugh-
ter OF Sonora Valdee, 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, tendcr.hearted miners In the
camp. They w~orshiped 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 q glance.
"The Boy" they called him. lie
had drifted in from nc one knew
where, a reckless daredevil, whose
face was no fair and boyliko In con.
trast TO their rough skins that The
Boy" seemed as natural TO say ~ "
he really had not reached mans co.
tate.
And Il 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!"
ne called. "Muchachal"
The'glrl came obedlent to his call.
win you tell III Senior BOY that I
wish to SEQ him." no said in Mexican
patlos.
as Il that the senior wished him TO
70 with the bullion tomorrow
Haskell smiled. Hush. Not n word
10 anyone" he said. But how did you
guess Il, Muchacha?'
Listen. noble senior" she said,
stubbornly, 'he must not 70. for II he
Is killed. | will be as one dead. My
heart win be broken. Listen, senor.
have you forgotten the day that !
warned you OF ugly Pedro and his
wicked knife?"
Haskell's face softened. mo. Mu'
chacha mia. that | have not" he said,
earnestly. You saved my life tina,
day. I said then n yer you should
ask OF mo n favor that I could grant !
would grant Il. I will keep my prom
Use, but II you ask this OF me whom
can | get to take the bullion TO So
nora?"
II. Gran Senior. Il Is l that will dc
t."
"you!" he exclaimed, %incredulous'
ly.
"Think you | cannot shoot?" she
cried. fearful. nov that she had made
tho resolve, that her request would
not be granted. Look" She seized
the pistol that hung In the holster by
his side and leveled at n bald eagle
that lowered almost overhead. At the
first shot the bird paused In Its flight
quivered and an instant after came
tumbllng earthward.
rs tho senior convlnced?" she cried
"I am brave and besides. would the
bandit hurt a woman she queried.
"If you insist. Muchacha, | cannot
refuse you. II shall be as you say. buI
but, my heart mlsgives me. IL
~ I could leave this cursed place
would 20 myself"
II will not be hurt, and I have your
promise, have l not?" abe cried eayly
Tomorrow II is at nine. then? And
laughingly shaking her finger Mt him
tell II 10 no one, Good night. senior
Buenas Noches."
The next day he stage rumblet
away with but one occupant. Mucha
cha and her bullion sacks. To hel
side the superintendent had strapped
his pistol. Down through the canyor
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 II
safety and the driver was Just draw
ing q long breath OF relief when
P~ing!-the on horse fell with a bulleI
through his heart. The stage stopped
with a Iurch and as It did so a masket
man spfang from the shelter OF a rocl
and advanced toward the stage, apis
toll leveled In either hand.
An instant afterward the door o.
the stage opened and Muchacha stood
in the doorway. As she did 81 a spur
of fame came from the pistol in her
hand and the bandit fell dead, Laugh
ing lightly, she ran to the prosrats
form and snatched away the mask.
Her hand sought her heart. She
reeled. She almost cried out. It wal
"The Boy"
A moment only did the shocl
weaken her. She turned and walked
steadily 10 the stage.
"vamosl drive on!" she cried. 1--WE
must be In Sonora by three o'clock"
The monastery at Sonora holds q
I - - u 49, a. - go - L