Chata and Chinita—Chapters I-XX [pp. 1-11]

4 Cliata and C/inita. [Julj
cio.!" he said, "what matters it to us how not more ghastly, when a servant entere
the man died? there is more in this than with a hasty message from Dofia Isabel.
behooves you or me to meddle with."
The two men looked at each other. "Why IV.
disturb the Sefiora Dofia Isabel with such
matters? The American is dead. The ran- WHILE the discovery of the murder ha
chero can be nothing to her," said Don Ra- caused this wild excitement outside th
fael sententiously. "He who gives testimony walls of the hacienda, a far different scen
unasked brings suspicion upon himself. No! was being enacted within. Mademoisell
no! leave the matter to his countrymen; La Croix, the governess of the two sister
they have a consul here who has nothing to Herlinda and Carmen Garcia, had arise
do but inquire into such matters." early, leaving her youngest charge asleep
"True! true! and one might as well hope and, hurriedly donning her dressing gown
to find again the wildbird escaped from its hastened to the adjoining apartment, wher
cage, as to see that Juan Planillos! Valga- Herlinda was enjoying that deep sleep tha
moie Dios, if he was indeed the true Juan Pla- comes to young and healthy natures wit
nillos!" and.the mystified major domo actual- the dawn, rounding and completing th
ly turned pale at the thought. "They say hours of perfect rest, which youthful activ
he is more devil than man; that would ex- ity both of body and mind so imperativel
plain how he got out of the hacienda, for Pe- demands.
dro Gomez swears he let no man pass, either A beautiful girl, between fifteen and six
out or in." teen, in her perfect development of figure
Don Rafael had his own private opinion as well as in the pure olive tints of her con
about that, but again impressing upon his plexion, revealing her Castilian descentsubordinate that endless trouble might be Herlinda Garcia lay upon the white pillow
avoided by a discreet silence, he walked shaded by a canopy of lace, one arm throw
thoughtfully away, vague suspicionsand con- above her head, the other, bare to th
jectures flitting through his mind. He went elbow, thrown across a bosom that rose an
to the gate with some design of warily ques- fell with each breath she drew, with the rep
tioning Pedro, but the man was not there; ularity of perfect content. Yet she opene
for once, friend or foe might go in or out un- her eyes with a start, and uttered an excla
noticed. But it was a day of disorder, and mation of alarm, as Mademoiselle La Croi
Don Rafael could readily divine the excuse lightly touched her, saying half petulantly
for the gatekeeper's neglect of duty. Re- as she turned away, "Oh Mademoiselle
membering that he had not broken his fast why have you wakened me? I was so hap
that day, he went to his own rooms for the py just then! I was dreaming of John!"