The Mystery of The Barranca

ust look

eir baggage, Billy Thornton punched his companion in the back to call his attentio

of the crowd that thronged the little station. Exhibiting every variety of Mexican costume, from the plain white blanket of the peons to the leather suits of the rancheros and the hacendados, or owners of estates, it was as picturesque and brilliant in color and movement as anything in a musical extravaganza. The European clothing of a young girl who presently stepped

she a

carried herself like a "perfect lady" when the dissolution of the aforesaid embrace brought the g

ccount for their pleasing irregularity. A bit rétrousée, the small nose with its well-defined nostrils patterned after the Celtic. Had Seyd known it, the face in its entirety-colors and soft contours-is to be found to this day among the descendants of the sailors who escaped from the wreck of the Spanish Armada on the west coast of Ireland. Pretty and unusu

did not hesitate to answer. "Pretty? Well, I should say-pretty enough to marry. The trouble is that in this country the ugliness of the grown wo

"Yet I'd be almost will

as the engine came hissing along the platform the brute sprang and crouched on the tracks, furiously snarling, ready for a spring at the headlight, which it evidently took for the Adam's apple of the strange monster. The train still being under way, the poor

mping him soundly, Billy ran on, "To risk

is freckles were extinguished, as t

would not have had you take such a risk. But now that it is done-accept my thanks." As t

el a first impression-gained from a rear view of a gaudy jacket-of a fat tenor in a Spanish opera, for the man's head and features were cast in a massive mold. His big fleshy nose jutted out from under heavy brows that overshadowed wide, s

usin,

-room-at least he seemed young at the first glance. A second look showed that the impression was largely due to a certain trimness of figure which was accentuated by the perfect

y clever of

d on the spur of the moment. Suggesting, as it did, that he had made a "gallery play," the remark roused in him quick irritation. But had it been possible to frame

tle bewildered by its rush, Seyd stood looking after the train he found h

e certainly ver

e felt certain that the remark had been called forth by his salute, he had no

service to my cousin it is, perhaps, that I can

manner was easier to meet. Undisturbed, however, wh

As you