Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-05-27

-
The Rancho Ell Nido. which means
The Nest, was well named Behind
the lee OF the tall eucaiypts, planted
In two rows at right angles. nestled
the building Of the rauch-house. built
In old Californian fashion of adobe
brick, red tiled, In the shape of
hollow square inclosIng q patio-gar-
den. II was on a rising ground above
the stream that ran between trees
heavily mantled with wild grapevlnes.
About the house. and its barns and
aheds and corrals, grew orchard trees.
peach and apricot, almond. cherry,
walnut. There were some orange and
lemon trees and a few figs. There
was vineyard and the patio was a
riot of flowers. A spring bubbled up
exact center Of the court and
had been confined within a stone basin
with one outlet out OF which the over
flow rippled and ran under an arch
way in the foundation Of the house.
The place was above all a home.
long-settled. deep-rooted. IL a nest
built on the ground. as some nests
are, may be fancied to have taken
root The place was well styled FL
Nldo.
Back to It. in the twilight, at the
urgent suggestion OF the girls father.
suggestion that was half command,
holding such spontaneous invitation
that It could not be refused without
a touch Of churlishness, came Caleb.
returning from the stream above the
waterfall, packing weii-alled ereei.
The girl rose from an outer porch
as he came up from the stream and
met him at the steps. She was trans
formed. A soft gown Of white had
wrought magic and she received the
homage OF Caleb's surprised and
frankly admiring gaze demurely. He
opened the. lid OF the creel for her In
spection.
"You know how to cast a fly in
Massachusetts" she said. ~They are
beauties. We shall have them for sup
per. Wangl'
A fat and genial Chinaman, immacu-
late In white, appeared at the far end
Of the gallery, came forward and took
the fish with a chuckle of approval
-Suppeh ieady twenty minnit, Miss
Betty" he said az he waddled on
''Betty-Betty Clintoni" He had her
name at last and thought 1t suited her.
you'll want to wash up. Maria win |
show you to your room"
eR4w rr<,r, -
'sYou are to stay here tonight. Fa-
Their would not hear OF you going.
There is no moon. Il is three miles
down the canyon to the station at
Hayward. Seven by the road. And
there are no trains that you could
catch conveniently"
She led the way In and delivered
him to Maria, fatter than Wang, ample
Of breast, triple Of chin, Spanish Of
look and accent
Maria" said the girl, ''is the actual
ruler Of FL Nido. You must pass In
spection by Maria to be welcome here.
You have fifteen minutes. We shall be
10 the big room at the north end You
can come in through the patio"
It was altogether little astounding.
Caleb reflected. as he made what toilet
he could. he had come to the valley
without mutual acquaint-
lnce, without introduction. and here
le was, pressed as a guest, almost as /
friend. In Massachusetts laughed
Il himself in the mirror as he fused
With his tie. This was California, a !
'ountry to itself with very pleasant
'ustoma And he was aware that his I
would be as his behavior.
sut II was all very pleasant. very 4
Western
The big room ran the full length Of /
ne side Of the house. At either end a Z
uarter was raised By two steps. I
rched of, one part q library and Z
ludy. the walls covered with books,
he other end more distinctly feminine 4
nth a piano. nowers. inviting chairs
Z wicker and good rugs. some pictures =
D the walls The intermediate space .
'as common ground, dininR room ana b
wing room combined The place wms 3
I with oh lamps In wr0uaha-fr0n 4
rackefa and with candles lm branch !
a holders Ger the table. The meal. .
ffh the raasiina. bestnrched Maria. tn q
lack gown mnd white apron. aupefan. /.
imding wang. who BeBTed ae well nn d
. had cooked, waa perfection. Id
Ina @zRf pramae6 wwer tbs mafn
Iasses kzaH kafzsnT. EaEls eTack gray =
aavmM cray ~ nsHmn 1upe9 msssskmesasa n