Copyright, 1888,
By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO.
[Chapter: I., ] [II., ] [III., ] [IV., ] [V., ] [VI., ] [VII., ] [VIII., ] [IX., ] [X., ] [XI., ] [XII., ] [XIII., ] [XIV., ] [XV., ] [XVI., ] [XVII., ] [XVIII., ] [XIX., ] [XX., ] [XXI., ] [XXII., ] [XXIII., ] [XXIV., ] [XXV., ] [XXVI., ] [XXVII., ] [XXVIII., ] [XXIX., ] [XXX., ] [XXXI.]
I.
Miguel reached Pasajes late Friday afternoon. On alighting from the train he found Ursula's boat moored to the shore.
"Good afternoon, Don Miguel," said the boat-woman, showing genuine joy in her face, where the fires of alcohol were flaming more than ever brilliantly; "I was beginning to think that I should not see you again."
"Indeed!"
"How should I know?... Men are so queer about getting married!.... But, señorito, you can't imagine how glad everybody in the village was to hear about it!.... Only a few jealous women would not believe it.... How I will make 'em fume to-night! I'm going all around telling everybody that I myself brought you over to Don Valentín's."
"Don't think of making any one fume," replied the young man, laughing; "but bend to your oars a little more."