ied.

"But," interposed Harris exasperatedly, "would you leave the ravishing
little beauty here to fall into the hands of the cannibals who are
trailing her? Lord Harry! if it weren't for the looks of the thing I'd
take her myself. But you've got a wife, so it'd be easy." He leaned
over to Reed and concluded in a whisper, "The old man's going to make
a proposition--listen!"

"But," remonstrated the latter, "the expense of keeping her in New
York indefinitely! For, unless I mistake much, none of these people
will ever see the States after she leaves. And then I have an adopted
daughter on my hands! And, heaven knows! now that my ambitious wife is
determined to break into New York society with her adorable sister, I
have no money to waste on adopted children!"

Rosendo, who had been studying the Americans attentively during their
conversation, now laid a hand on Reed's. "Senor," he said in a quiet
tone, "if you will take the little Carmen with you, and keep her safe
from harm until Padre Jose can come to you, or she can be returned to
us here, I will transfer to you a half interest in this mine."

Jose sprang to his feet. His face was blanched with fear. "Rosendo!"
he cried wildly, "do not do that! _Dios arriba_, no! You do not
know this man! Ah, senor," turning to Reed, "I beg you will
forgive--but Rosendo is mad to suggest such a thing! We cannot permit
it--we--I--oh, God above!" He sank again into his chair and covered
his face with his hands.

Don Jorge gave vent to a long, low whistle. Rosendo, his voice husky
and his lips trembling, went on:

"I know, Padre--I know. But it must be done! I will give the mine to
the American--and to Carmen. He has a powerful government back of him,
and he is able to defend the title and save her interest as well as
his own. As for me, I--_Bien_, I shall want nothing when Carmen
goes--nothing."

"For heaven's sake!" burst in Harris, seizing Reed's arm. "If you
don't tell me what all this is about now I shall shoot--and not
straight up, either!"

"Senores," said Reed in a controlled voice, "let me talk this matter
over with my friend here. I will come to you in an hour."

Rosendo and Don Jorge bowed and silently withdrew from the parish
house. The former went at once to apprise the wondering Dona Maria of
the events which had crowded the morning's early hours and to answer
her apprehensive questionings regarding Ana. Carmen was to know only
that Ana--but what could he tell h