The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-11-29
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have looked so lovely-yet there was
anxiety In her eyes that she could
not wholly conceal. z t'
"Shall confess?" she murmured.
II haven't slept, and ! have hardly
eaten since you left, Mother Of God,
what relief to see you'll You are
sure you are not wounded?" a
"No." .ss d
Honestly" ta 8 .saai
Honestly" %
.'Tell me, did you find hirn?"
eyes" ss.5 wse:ia ls~a
"And what happened?"
Nothing, or next to nothing"
'Tell me everything, everything"
''Simmie and Pedro went with
me. We surprised him, and he Is
now jailed at Monterey on charge
of murder"
"But where do you come from?"
From Monterey. rode over
with him."
She drew deep breath. ''If I
told you how happy ! am to see you
back, unframed, you wouldn't be-
lieve mel" They were looking
straight into each others eyes. Per
haps it was too intense. She took
her eyes from his, looked down and
resumed more calmly. eve are
breaking camp tomorrow morning. /
told our guests we should have to
60 home. They wouldn't stay after
us-so we are all for home tomor-
row. And the men are trying to de-
eide what can be done with the
squatters. They are everywhere.
"The best thing to do with 'em
would be to hang 'em ALL"
care you serious?"
"Quite. They're not bona fide set
tiers. They're bushwackers and
buns, here to steal what land they
can and sell it to the real settlers
when they come-and that won't be
long now either"
''They are calling the last dance.
But you are too tired?"
''Not tired, but you know I'm a
poor dancer"
She laughed. "You dance well
enough: Shall we try it? Oh, there's
a young don coming my way. Don't
let him carry me off"
Bowie led her out. He was well
coined by the couples in the set,
and under the inspiration of the
scene he threw himself into the
steps. If he could not be called
graceful, he was at least energetic.
To hear Carmen laugh when she
corrected a misstep, to watch the
play of her rich mouth, of her daz-
cling teeth and her red lips, to note
the fash Of her quick eye and the
painting rise ~and fall of her full
bosom when the dance was done
and she walked proudly away on his
arm, would be enough to stagger
the senses of a colder man than
the Texan. If she would not mar
ry, as she had once told him, she
was certainly friendly.
The entire household OF Guada-
lupe were over next morning to pay
the last tribute to the dead vaquero
Padre Martinez said the funeral
Mass, and fellow riders from the
rancho carried the unhappy Indian
to his grave.
At dinner that afternoon Dona Ma
ria spoke out in no uncertain tones.
"Senor Bowie" she said, address
ing him directly, don Ramon feels
it isn't quite right to say what I'm
going to say, but I don't care-and
Carmen thinks just as do, even if
she doesn't say so. think that II
Rancho Guadalupe can be saved
from these marauders that are
Threatening us on every hand, rob-
bling us of horses and cattle every
day and stealing our land, you are
the only man that can save it. All
we ask is to be allowed to die in
peace in our own homeland with
out protection even that may be
denied us. Tell us, Senior Bowie,
would you come back at any price
or on any terms to Guadalupe?
What can we do to coax your"
Don Ramon was smoking calmly.
Carmen toyed with her fork and
kept her eyes as closely glued on it
as if she were afraid it might get
away. But Dona Maria's eyes
flashed with earnestness as she
made her plea.
Taken aback by the sudden on
slaught, Bowie sat for q moment
silent. He soon felt he must say
something but couldn't make up his
mind what to say. "It wouldn't be
question Of terms, Dona Maria"
he said at length. "But it would be
hard for me to get away from Cap
tain Suffer. I should have to talk
with him before could give q def
mite answer. I've told you, and I
tell you again, that the happiest
days Of my life have been spent at
Guadalupe. have an affection for
the rancho itself as well as for its
household; / think you all know that.
But ] must think things out. should
: like to stay down over Sunday, any
way"
Delightful, Senor," exclaimed