The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-11-22

the hills, Carmen returned to her
room and addressed a note to Senior
Henry Bowie at New Helvetia.
Strawberries are ripe"
And with a strange thrill she
signed it Carmen" She dispatched
it by Sanchez. He was to take
horse and deliver it only to Senior
Bowie; this upon his life.
When Bowie took the dainty note
in hand he was surprised. Once
opened, he could read it at glance.
But what did it imply? He thrilled
at the signature. Certainly Carmen
could not be engaged to marry the
bald Spaniard. If she were she
would never write him any sort of a
message, much less one so cryptic
as this.
The thrill of the woman who had
sealed it tingled now in the veins
Of the man who read and reread it
over And over.
Sanchez" exclaimed Bowie sud-
denly, "say only this to Senorita
Carmen. Be careful-say it when
she is alone. Say: I hunger for
strawberries.
Sanchez stared. The message was
the strangest. But the shining gold
coin laid in his hand was quite COM
prehensible. He repeated his lesson
until Bowie was satisfied he had it
straight and dismissed him. "Put
up your horse and go get some sup
per. Start tomorrow morning at
two o'clock. Ride fast or I shall
overtake you. Tell Senorita I said
this. But do you understand? Be
careful no one hears you"
Late that night, long after the
house was quiet, Carmen lay dream
ing when she thought she heard a
low voice without her window hum
ming her Spanish air, go Ask the
High Stars Cleaning" A delicious
feeling crept over her as she lay
and listened. She scrupled even to
listen - it seemed like forbidden
fruit; but, like forbidden fruit, very
sweet.
1t was Henry Bowie, she knew
for certain. None but mailman
would have essayed that song on
the rancho at midnight. He had
ridden hard all day to sing late at
night.
She sat up in bed and thought.
Some acknowledgment she must
make. She tiptoed stealthily to her
dresser, found a candle, lighted it,
and crept toward her window. ALI
that Bowie saw was a white arm
slowly extended and a lighted can
die set cautiously within the pane.
The singer no longer bespoke the
favor Of the high stars: a greater
light quickened his heartbeats in
that flame of the candle. And as
he reached the end of a dim strain
in his song the white arm once
more reached forward, and the cam
die was put out to signify his dis
missal.
There were surprises at Guada-
lupe next morning. Senior Bowie ap-
peared, an unbidden guest, for
breakfast. There was much laugh
ter and joyous welcome at seeing
him from all except Carmen. She
was becomingly reserved. But she
could not altogether control the col
or that heightened in her cheeks so
early.
II just thought I'd drop down and
see how things were running at
Guadalupe" said Bowie to Don Ra-
mon, laughing, of course.
1T was awful of me to do what
I did, senor," confessed Carmen
when they were out in the sunshine
together after breakfast and she
was trying hard to control herself.
81 just thought you'd like meri-
enda again. And this year I must
be hostess for Guadalupe. and it's
to run for several days"
''Isn't it lucky for me I'm here to
help-if ! may"
''It was awfully nice Of you to
protect me at breakfast, senior. It
was perfectly shameful thing for
me to do-flying in the face of every
thing. No matterl Don Ramon and
Dona Maria don't suspect the straw
berries. Only faithful Sanchez has
the secret"
sour secret"
II didn't say that. I am going to
take Pedro and ride over to inspect
the strawberries. Do you suppose I
might find you over that way after a
while?"
Before you get there
"You and ! got terribly scolded
that time rode out with you early
in the morning. We poor senoritas
have to be so CAREFUL" she said
demurely.
"Look for me when you near the
valley"
fTO BE cONTINUED)