Part 31 (1/2)

CHAPTER XXI

A HALF-BREED'S TRICK

Evelyn found the time pass heavily at Valverde The toas hot and uninteresting, although she did not seesunshi+ne had faded off the narrow streets that she was allowed a leisurely stroll in company with the _alcalde's_ wife Senora Herrero, as stout and placid, and always dressed in black, spoke no English, and only a feords of French After an hour's superintendence of her half-breed servants' work, she spent uest's comfort, and in this respect Evelyn had no cause for co After the ten o'clock breakfast there was nothing to be done until dinner was served at four

The adobe house was very quiet and was darkened by lattices pulled across the narros; and there was no stir in the town between noon and early evening Evelyn patiently tried to grasp the plot of a Spanish novel, and when she got tired of this sat in the coolest spot she could find, listening to the drowsy rumble of the surf Hitherto her time had been occupied by strenuous aic inaction jarred

It was better when the shadows lengthened, because there were then voices and footsteps in the streets One could watch the languid traffic; but when night ca to a few hours' joyous life, was silent again So, and now and then a few gathered round a singer with a guitar, but there was no noisy talk in the cafes and no band played in the _alameda_ An ominous quietness brooded over the town

All this reacted on Evelyn's nerves, and one hot afternoon she felt ready to welcoe as she sat in a shaded room Her hands ith perspiration, the flies that buzzed about her face exasperated her, and she found the musky smell that filled the house intolerable

Senora Herrero lay in a big cane chair, looking strangely bulky and shapeless in her tight black dress, with her eyes half closed and no sign of intelligence in her heavily powdered face Evelyn longed to wake her and make her talk

Then there were steps outside and Gorew suddenly alert Indeed, it struck Evelyn that her hostess felt disturbed, but she paid no attention to this She was glad of a break in the monotony, and it was not until afterward her mind dwelt upon what took place

”Senor Cliffe's business with the President will keep hiht,” Gouard, and her disappoint forward to his return in a day or two,” she answered

”The senor Cliffe is to be envied for having a dutiful daughter,” Gomez smiled ”Still, I need not offer o to hierly

”As soon as you are ready I have ordered thewhat you think needful We could start after dinner, and I offer myself as escort for part of the way”

”But this is impossible!” Senora Herrero exclaimed in horrified protest

Goies, senora, I think not My plan is that you should go with your guest until I can place her in some other lady's hands”

”But it is years since I have ridden a mule, and exercise makes me ill!

Besides, I cannot leave my husband and my household”

Evelyn renant expression suddenly changed, as if Goood-humoredly:

”I have seen Don Jose He feels desolated at the thought of losing you for two or three days, but he agrees that we must do all we can to suit the wishes of our American friends Besides, you can travel to Galdo, where we stay the night, in a coach I will see that one is sent, but it ood,” said the senora ”I am heavy, and the road is bad”

”We will pick the best; but until you overtake us the senorita Cliffe will, no doubt, be satisfied with my escort We should reach Galdo soon after dark The senora Romanez will receive us there, and we start early the nexton our journey to the hills”

Gomez turned to Evelyn