The Mystery of The Barranca

yards beyond before she was roused from renewed musings by the thud of hoofs. Turning in her saddle, she saw Sebastien coming along the valley trail at a gallop. Passing the m

dark, quiet face could stand inspection, and she paid unconscious tribute. "If I hadn't gone to Europe I suppose-" A decided shake of the head comp

"Two of our people shot one of the gringos as he was leaving our pla

raised his brows. "And she

you

hear it as though I had been there, and wonder that the se?ora, who was brought up in the letter of our conve

care that you do not put heavier strains on a slight kinship.

slighter the better. 'Twill s

will be

quoted the proverb. "But returni

amig

u had stood, as I have, on a street corner in Ciudad, Mexico, and had heard the gringo tourists pass comments on our

It is not necessary. I have heard young Mexican men comment on both o

The degenerate apes who put on the vi

same point-there are gringos and gringo

course, are t

If one judges, as one must, by their behavior. I

d to hear it fall from the lips of a Garcia. Now listen! What if your people did wound this man? Is he the first? Will he be the last?" His face darkening under

ean?" She sear

aughed bitterly. "

ould not have

gringo?" Slanting through an opening in the trees overhead the sun shone on his face, transforming it into a red mask of hate. "As yet no one of t

im look for look. "When the Garcias need the Rochas to settle their quarrels it wil

ittle at his answer. "That is

d an hour later she stood at her door, listening apprehensively to the jingle of his spurs along the gallery. When he too

n the herds as they came winding in from distant pastures to the corrals in the square. Night had reduce

rudis." After a long pause, "It is now a month

he ash from his ci

s? The smelter you sp

he sme

ation to the other's slow tone.

oney. A single mistake and they are done." After a sententiou

ce. "But why this tender care? Are they so di

lifornia. These lads are of good family, Sebastien, and there can be no disappearance without inquiry. Their death would be

she to have the r

ca? She is a wild filly, the despair of every staid tabby in the countryside. Long ago I discovered that the

. That which I propose she will never know. It is-" Answering the oth

some things had gone different in the last war. Yes, feet that are still spoiling good sod would now be rotten bones." A

gringo that would not bite at such? They are kind as goats. I ask

d t

go there