Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-09-10

proudly. II am an Indian, the daughter Of
those who once poured their treasure into the
lake which you have defled with stones"
'Sajipona - called a harsh, cultural voice
from the trail that followed the cutting made
by the Spaniards in the mountains side.
Isl, padre mo," she answered, slowly de.
scending TO the path upon which Raoul was
standing
In the gathering darkness Raoul saw, just
emerging from the cleft in the rocks, the
huge figure of man, dressed, rs all travel
ers are in the mountains, in wide sombrero'
capacious ruana, great hair-covercd lesRinss
reaching TO the waist, his spurred heels clat-
tering on the stones as he walked toward
them. Two mules followed closely. the bride
of the foremost held in his hand; behind
these came burro. loaded with mountainous
baggage which swayed from side to side as
the patient little animal picked his way
along the treachcrous path.
Good evening, Senor," said the man
suavely. as II Raor were some old ac-
uuaintance whom he expected to meet. Ut
grows dark quickly Moreover. it Is far to
the city and the beasts are tired We stop
for tho night At La Granja. And you.
Senor?"
MY horse is fresh I will ride to Bosota."
"A stranger" auerIed the man.
AN American"
"Ah!" Then. as II to- atone for his sur
prise, "Bueno. in Bogota my house Is
yours"
Watch your burro. Senior" warned Raoul.
viewing with some anxiety that much-in-
numbered animal wavering d,sconsolately on
the brink 1f the esprccirce. He will slip into
the lake"
"Eh, Senior" grunted the man, vaulting
heavily TO the pack of his mule. at the same
time squirting and then checking him with
the reins. He knows his business the ca
naille Besides" he added. chucklng TO
himself I'VE carry no treasure for Guatavita.
Since N" days Of sajipa men pay NO tribute
here--thev look for II instead"
THAT Is true" nurmured Raoul. Then
addressing the departing travellers: May
you hav" a pleasant ride. Senorita And
you Senior: may YOU in Bogota? -?
I'm the Gale de Las Flores Senior" called
the other brisllly. Ask for Rafael Sesurra
always-remember at your service
Sajina--Sa jipona The two names per-
sisted in Raoul's thoughts as he rode home
that evening. over and over again he
passed in review the details of his strange
encounter with this mysterious girl who, in
spite of the eXuuisise fairness of her com
plexion, called herself an Indian and claimed
these old worshipers Of the Lake God for
her ancestors Who was she? Could 1t he
that his search for the descendant of that
almost mythical line of monarchs had been
so Unexpectedly. completely rewarded? He
could hardly wait for the morning to make
the inquiries that he planned.
"Ah. yes" he was assured; this Rafael
Segurra is quite a man in his way--a
'poitico' strong with the government. He
lives far from here-on haclenda-no one
knows where. And his daughter-he brings
her to Bogota? That is strange! The beau
tiful Sajipona Who knows if she really Is
Don Rafael's daughter. There is a mystery.
a tradition about her Yes, some say that
she has in her veins the blood of that poor
old zipa that the Spaniards roasted alive
because he wouldn't tell where he had hid
den his treasure. Stil. how can that be
il Don Rafael is her father? All. no one can
he sure. Senor-ther home is so far away
But-she is very beautiful. And there are
many, many lovers-so they say
The information picked up from various
sources. strengthened Raouls first impress
sion. and from that time he became
stant visitor in the little house on the Gale
de Las Flores.