The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 309: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE GOLD “ Come in, Teresa,” called Amy. Accustomed to the Jfezicana’s moods as she was, Amy had not been greatly perturbed at the incident connected with the receipt of Whipple’s letter. “TI have been longing for some one to talk to,’ Amy added, dropping her pen and leaning back in her chair. Voice and manner were as winning as they had ever been. Teresa, happily surprised, bounded into the room and kissed her friend rapturously. Then she took a seat close to the desk. “Are you happier, cara, than you have been of late?” Teresa’s eyes searched her friend's face as she asked the question. “Let us not talk of that,’ answered Amy, the forced smile fading from her lips. “ You have not been near me for several days. Why was it, Teresa? ” “TI did not think you cared for me to come, Amy.” — “Tam sorry you thought that. When people are very much occupied with their own affairs they often prove dis- agreeable to their friends. But a truc friend will be considerate and overlook such a shortcoming. I have always loved you, Teresa, and always shall.” A cry of delight escaped the Mexican girl and she leaned forward and caught Amy’s hand impulsively. * Your silly Teresa thought she had done something to offend you, heart of inine. If I have not come to see you during the last few days, neither have you come to see me.” “My heart has been very heavy, Teresa,” sighed Amy, “ and so it is even now. When I am grieved I try to get away from every one, from myself most of alt.” | “Tell me this, novia,” returned Teresa archly. “Is it some unkind caballero about whom you are fret- ting?” “ Why do you think that?” “That is the worst sorrow that can come, it.seems to me.” ‘Teresa looked very sober. “It is no love affair,” said Amy. “That is,” she added hastily, “ not the sort of a love affair you have in mind.” “Then I am glad; time will cure every ache of the heart that comes from anything else.” SA C; OUgle GLEANERS. 300 “How wise we are!” murmured Amy, amused a little in spite of herself. “Ts it long since you have acquired all this knowledge, Teresa? ” ‘IT do not know,” answered the Mer- cana, dropping her eyes. “ Ysabel has been telling me a good many things, cara.” “Then your information comes at second hand?” “Not so,” was the hasty response. “TI do not agree with Ysabel—always. But tell me, Amy, why does not Senor Whipple come back? ” ““T have no idea.” “He has not written again?” Teresa looked up quickly. €é N 0.”’ “Do you imagine he ts still hunting for those robbers? ” “ Nothing else could keep him from the works.” The light that had mo- mentarily crossed Amy’s face gave way to the old hopeless expression as she added: “ He may have found them, for aught I know.” “He has not found them clared Teresa positively. “How do you know?” inquired Amy. Teresa looked at her friend compas- sionately. Ah, if Amy but knew what she knew. ‘““T have discovered something, novia; something that makes me sure the man- ager will not find those he is seeking.” The artless countenance of her com- panion was an open page to Amy. Upon it she read an index of the great secret which was struggling to free itself. “You have discovered something about the men who made that attack on Mr. Whipple?” asked Amy quietly. “Yes,” returned the other: “it was Jast mght while I was walking home from Caballo Blanco creck. There was a bright moon, and what I saw I saw as plainly as I see you this minute. I have not told any one, not even the padre. [am waiting until the manager gets back. He will know what to do.” “ Don’t you think that J would know what to do, Teresa? ” “Perhaps; but you are a woman. You could not go into the old mine and capture Madre mia, what am I saying?” , dle- COMM ElOOO CO