Aunt Jane's Nieces on the Ranch Part 30

"Speak out, Miguel," said his master encouragingly.

"Oh; but he said 'private,'" Patsy reminded him.

"I know. Miguel understands that he may speak before my friends."

"It ees-about-Senor Cristoval, Meest Weld."

"Yes? Well, what about him, Miguel?"

"I am once servant for Senor Cristoval. I stay here in house with him, long time. When he get sick, before he die, I care for him. Doctor say to me that Senor Cristoval can not get well; I say so to Senor Cristoval. He say never mind, he have live long enough."

This was interesting to them all in view of the recent happenings, and the girls bent nearer to hear the old man's story. Arthur, the major and Uncle John were equally intent.

"Senor Cristoval, he say, when he get very bad, there ees one thing he hate to leave, an' that ees-his money," continued Miguel. "He say, money ees his bes' friend, all time. But he no can take money where he will go. He ees mad that many poor fools will spend the money he have love an' cared for. So he make me take three big bag of gold an' drive to bank an' put away so the poor fools will find it. Much more money ees in bank, too. Then, when doctor come, he ask me when he will die, an'

doctor say when sun next s.h.i.+ne Senor Cristoval will not see it. Doctor want to stay all night, but Senor Cristoval pay an' tell him go. He want to die alone.

"But I am there. Some time in night Senor Cristoval he call an' say: 'Miguel, I mus' not die till I have give to Leighton what belong to him.

I have keep Leighton's money for him. I will show you where it ees hid, so you can give it to Leighton.'"

Ah, they were intent enough now. Intuitively each listener seemed to know that a secret was about to be revealed and many glances were cast toward the unconscious Mildred, who continued to read placidly. But no one interrupted the old Mexican.

"I help Senor Cristoval to stand up. He ees not strong, so I hold him.

He walk from blue room to back room an' there he show me how to take block from wall. Behind block ees big place for money. Senor Cristoval he say all money what belong to Leighton ees there. He tell me count it.

So I put Senor Cristoval in chair an' he watch while I take out money an' count. There ees four bag. I count three bag an' he say good, it ees right. He say count last bag. So I empty bag on floor an' count gold an'

put in bag again. When thees ees done I say: 'Is eet right?' But Senor Cristoval say nothing. I look up, an' Senor Cristoval ees dead."

The old man spoke simply and quietly, but they found his relation intensely dramatic. Patsy was trembling with excitement. Beth clasped Louise's hand and found it cold from nervousness.

"And then, Miguel?" said Arthur.

"Then, Meest Weld, I put gold in wall an' fix block so no one know an'

carry Senor Cristoval to his bed. That ees all, Meest Weld."

"And you told no one of Leighton's gold?"

"I tell no one. It ees belong to Leighton."

"Where is it now, Miguel?"

"In wall, Meest Weld."

"All of it?"

"All."

There was a moment's pause.

"You know now that it belongs to Mildred-to Leighton's daughter,-do you not?" he asked, an accent of sternness in his voice.

"I know, Meest Weld."

"Then why did you not tell us of this before?"

Old Miguel stood silent, s.h.i.+fting from one foot to another, his eyes cast down, his slender brown fingers spasmodically pressing the rim of his sombrero. But when he spoke it was in his former quiet manner.

"I am a bad man, Meest Weld. I theenk I keep gold for myself. Why not, when no one know? Long time after Senor Cristoval die no one come here.

Some time I go to room an' count gold. When I see it I have bad thought.

I theenk it ees nice if I keep all myself. But when I go away an' work in the grove, I tell Miguel many time that gold ees not his; it ees Leighton's gold. I say when Leighton come for it he mus' have it. But Leighton do not come. Many year the gold ees mine, an' no one know. Then come Leighton's girl, an' I know I am bad man if I keep gold. But I say nothing. I theenk no one ever know."

"But tell me," said Arthur curiously, "what good is the money to you when it is hidden in a wall?"

"Not much, Meest Weld; but I know I am rich. I say I can buy ranch an'

be big man, an' no one know I have steal Leighton's gold."

"Then why have you told us the secret?"

Miguel glanced toward the nursery.

"I am man for work," said he. "Always I work; always I mus' work. I am old. When I can no work, I mus' die. Senor Cristoval mus' leave gold when he die; it ees same with Miguel. Now I have good job. I can work an' be happy. But-"

"Well, Miguel?"

"Leighton's daughter, she ees a girl. A girl can not work like a man. It ees her gold, not mine. When you say it, I will show you where Leighton's gold ees hid."

Uncle John sprang up and grasped the man's hand.

"You are an honest fellow, Miguel!" he cried.

"No, Meest Mereek," was the reply. "I have wish to steal, so I am not honest."

"But you have given up the gold."

"Yes, Meest Mereek; because I am afraid."

"I don't believe a word of it," said Patsy. "You were tempted to do wrong, Miguel, and if you had kept silent no one would ever have known; but you told us of the gold, and so you are faithful and true."

"Ah, that ees what Meest Leighton tell me, some time," said he. "An'

that ees what spoil me from being bad. Because Leighton say I am faithful an' true, I have theenk I mus' be that way. That ees it."

Mildred's gold proved to be a small fortune. Perhaps Cristoval had added to his partner's earnings, for the child's sake, for the total amounted to more than she had ever expected.

It was all in hard cash and Arthur drove over to the bank and deposited it to the credit of Mildred Travers, as she preferred to retain that name.

Patsy and Beth were curious to know what the girl would do with her windfall, but Mildred proved noncommittal.

"How about Bul Run?" asked Patsy.