Evening star., 1924-10-05

muring: Good day, senorita. Your
servant"
Her big black eyes lifted and took
in his Goodly proportions. The forest
had fed him and the sun and air had
brought Zest again into his blood;
not twice had that secluded valley
seen such specimen Of virile youth.
Her glorious lips curved into a smile,
her smooth cheek dimpled and her
eyes dropped demurely. as a maiden's
should. Good day, caballero." she
responded.
will your grace have the goodness
to tell me how this village is called?
l am A stranger"
She told him, her eyes downcaSt,
daintily slapping corner Of d soapy
shirt on the fat stone.
II am called Andres Tobar. senor-
ita. In my country of the Rio Verde
they name me FL CanIan. Your
grace has heard of me? l am the
strong one"
And she looked up again and down
again and dimpled. but did not speak.
And your grace" he begged.
Il am called Chona Sanchez, your
servant, caballero."
Your servant" he acknowledged.
and bowed so deeply that the wom-
an cried out in alarm, "Ay, senior,
you will drop your little SON."
For FL Caiman came bareheaded
carrying his great hat in his hands,
as only GrinEoe and fools do in this
latitude: but there was a reason for
it. Astride his shoulder, clutchng
his shaggy hair, rode a sturdy, sun
Drowned man-child, who lurched per-
ilously with the obeisance, but only
gurgled and crowed and clung the
tighter.
He will not fall" boasted FL Cal
man. "He is very strong. He is the
strongest little man in the world.
Lookr'
He offered a thick forefnger to the
young acrobat. who without hesita-
tion transferred his grip to it and
shrieked' with glee as FL Caiman
swung him about and about. The
woman caught her breath. for the
rocks were sharp: but with a nom
chalant flourish FL Caiman returned
the child safely to his shoulder.
'Ay," breathed the adnirinG fe-
male, "he is indeed strong. indeed the
son of FL Caiman. How is he called.
the bebe?"
FL Caiman did not waver between
his personal pride and the greater
pride of the incomparabl man-child.
He is not the son of any pelado,' he
denied Indignantly. He is of par
ents the most fine. both blond and
very rich. See, his eyes are like the
sky and his hair like the silk of corn.
Could a countryman of the Rio Verde,
even the strongest, have a son like
this?"
How is he called? What does your
grace with him."
1t is not the first time that boast
ing to a woman has led man into
danger. II call him Diablito," he
muttered. the Little Devil. He is
the strongest, bravest little man in
the world
She laughed. for certainly there
was nothing satanic about that little
one whose blue eyes looked SO fear
lessly, merrily on the world. And
strident voice cried from one of the
buts along the arroyos bank, Thou,
Chona" Even among the humble
ones it is a parents duty to see that
no maiden converses unchidden with
a man. Chona shouted innocent1y.
Yes, what, mama?" but her eyes
made the stout heart of Ell Caiman
to hammer in his chest.
Come thou hither, accursed one"
AT once, mama AS she got
lithely up Chona murmured, There
is lodging in the house of my uncle,
old Sanchez the cantinero," and her
eyes bound him to that village with
such chains as even the strength of
Ell Caiman could not break.
X X X x
CRANDLY Ell Caiman lounged and
~ boasted before the wine shop of
old Sanchez; at night Chona met him,
by great stealth, of course, while the
village shut one eye and grinned.
And the little one went into any house
he chose, laughing with his fearless
blue eyes, SO that all hearts were his.
But Chona was jealous. Thou
lowest him more than me- she pout-
ed, and was very cold Shall he be
between US always, that little Gringo
| who thinks himself lord of all the
earthT'
who has said that he was a
Gringo?"
I'm Magdalena I have seen them,
those arrogant blue eyes. What dost
thou with the child of such? Come"
she coaxed him, melting. tell me.
Tell thy Chona-"
Ell yCaiman told her his tale.
When Chonas uncle, old Sanchez
the cantinero, departed on a journey
soon after, Ell Caiman saw him ride
away; but he paid little heed, for
-