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I hurried away； leaving Don Pedro still protesting。 I knew the
gardens； and the stone seat at an angle of the wall； not a dozen
yards from the casa。 The moon shone full upon it。 There； indeed；
lay the little gray…feathered fan。 But beside it； also； lay the
crumpled black gold…embroidered riding…gauntlet that Enriquez had
worn at the rodeo。
I thrust it hurriedly into my pocket； and ran back。 As I passed
through the gateway I asked a peon to send Enriquez to me。 The man
stared。 Did I not know that Don Enriquez had ridden away two
minutes ago？
When I reached the veranda； I handed the fan to Miss Mannersley
without a word。 〃BUENO；〃 said Don Pedro； gravely； 〃it is as well。
There shall be no bones broken over the getting of it； for
Enriquez； I hear； has had to return to the Encinal this very
evening。〃
Miss Mannersley retired early。 I did not inform her of my
discovery； nor did I seek in any way to penetrate her secret。
There was no doubt that she and Enriquez had been together； perhaps
not for the first time； but what was the result of their interview？
From the young girl's demeanor and Enriquez' hurried departure； I
could only fear the worst for him。 Had he been tempted into some
further extravagance and been angrily rebuked； or had he avowed a
real passion concealed under his exaggerated mask and been
deliberately rejected？ I tossed uneasily half the night； following
in my dreams my poor friend's hurrying hoofbeats； and ever starting
from my sleep at what I thought was the sound of galloping hoofs。
I rose early； and lounged into the patio； but others were there
before me； and a small group of Don Pedro's family were excitedly
discussing something； and I fancied they turned away awkwardly and
consciously as I approached。 There was an air of indefinite
uneasiness everywhere。 A strange fear came over me with the chill
of the early morning air。 Had anything happened to Enriquez？ I
had always looked upon his extravagance as part of his playful
humor。 Could it be possible that under the sting of rejection he
had made his grotesque threat of languishing effacement real？
Surely Miss Mannersley would know or suspect something； if it were
the case。
I approached one of the Mexican women and asked if the senorita had
risen。 The woman started； and looked covertly round before she
replied。 Did not Don Pancho know that Miss Mannersley and her maid
had not slept in their beds that night； but had gone； none knew
where？
For an instant I felt an appalling sense of my own responsibility
in this suddenly serious situation； and hurried after the
retreating family group。 But as I entered the corridor a vaquero
touched me on the shoulder。 He had evidently just dismounted； and
was covered with the dust of the road。 He handed me a note written
in pencil on a leaf from Miss Mannersley's sketchbook。 It was in
Enriquez' hand； and his signature was followed by his most
extravagant rubric。
Friend Pancho： When you read this line you shall of a possibility
think I am no more。 That is where you shall slip up； my little
brother！ I am much moreI am two times as much； for I have marry
Miss Boston。 At the Mission Church； at five of the morning； sharp！
No cards shall be left！ I kiss the hand of my venerable uncle…in…
law。 You shall say to him that we fly to the South wilderness as
the combined evangelical missionary to the heathen！ Miss Boston
herself say this。 Ta…ta！ How are you now？
Your own Enriquez。
End