The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-05-24
CHAPTER VIII-Continued


me a view Of the narrow road that
pointed a ribbOn-like finger toward
the valley. Along this road, like a
great lazy snake. lay a long cloud
Of dust Ii could mean only one
thing, body of marching men. And
marching men on this road could
mean naught else but reinforcements
Cor Cuernavaca
l gave the fine beast his head and
he swept across the sagebrush-cov-
cred bench. AS We raced along. nv
heart sang, for | knew that, before
BenitO Juarez could check I'D his
capable PablO's pessimism" and move
his army 20 the investment OF Cuerna-
vaca. this force would have reached
the city. And ] wondered. too, who
had carried to Macmillan tidings of
the revolutionary leaders intention.
for, Of the Imperial army. only Neville
and ! knew-and Neville was dead.
AT all events the emperor knew,
and that relieved me of my most
urgent mission My mind could build
other and pleasanter pictures now.
Another mile-and the vast city lay
before me. An, the thrill il gave me
Ages had passed since | had seen the
city, another world had come into be
ing-a new and beautiful world. |
was not Francois de Vigny, the Blade
of Picardy. being who had. az best.
merely skinned the surface of
things; man devoid of purpose. No
had changed; even my soul
had changed
Now my eyes saw only the lovely
face Of the lady who had suddenly
fired nay life to great endeavor, my
ears heard only the golden music of
her voice, and into my life high re-
solve had come. With her | would
be frank. straightforward With her
permission 1 would tell her thar /
loved her: would throw open the
book of my life. that she might read
if she so desired.
These things l determined To do as
we entered the gate of the city.
As We passed her home | brOughr
the horse TO i stately rrot. and then
L.
ing a suffocating tattoo against my
ribs drank in the beauty OF the
house and the well-kept garden.
did not notice. al first. a figure that
stood behind the huge iron gate. the
slim, pGrple-clad figure of q woman
who looked tall-and wasn't.
She waved her hand. and pulled
my mount 10 snail's pace. reaching
for my cap and bowling as we'll as
one in such posture might Now,
watching the slim. waving hand and
hoping against hope, I imagined that
IL beckoned, so | turned the horses
head and dropped TO the curb.
She extended a hand between the
bars, and ! held il so long that she
drew it gently hack again. 1T is
good to see you out" said she, after
your Illness"
My illness was nothing. senorits :;
less than trifie." This. beyond a
doubt, was the truth. III was very
kind of you 10 ask about me-"
But smallpox" said she, a sweet
anxiety in the amber eyes "can never
be considered a trifle" Her glance
took In the bruises on my face. How
strangely il has marked you'll"
laughed, my hack against the wall
of my own appropriateness. Small
pox did not do that. senorita My
face has been target for every fist
in the state OF MoreloS"
Are you jesting, captain. or do
you speak in parallels? We are not
IN the state of Mnrelos"
Perhaps il is the barrier of the
gate" said |. considered the house.
Il am forbidden entrance 10 that
heaurifui home. senarita does your
prohibition extend also to the grounds
To the gardensF"
Now she drew the iron bolt and