Page:Caroline Lockhart--The full of the Moon.djvu/114

 disappointing episode at the Esmeraldas ranch.

Spiser had let her distinctly alone, which was not like Spiser, but she was not curious as to his reason since it was so. Mrs. Gallagher now called her chiquita occasionally, and in unguarded moments showed her affection. Nan rode daily on horseback and studied Spanish with the pompous school-master.

She felt a twinge of conscience when anxious and reproachful letters came from home in the erratic mails, and she dreaded rather than welcomed them, for they only served to remind her that some time this dreamy, unreal life must end. And when she thought of that she thought of Ben Evans.

She was waiting for him now, as he had sent word that he might be able to come, and soon her listening ear heard him greeting a Mexican in the plaza. The big sorrel he rode ambled into sight and stopped at the bars as the moon rose full and round, flooding the world with its white light.

He dropped the reins at the horse's head and came toward her eagerly. He did not