have some for your
breakfast, Senor," she added.

"By all the Saints in the calendar, they are pearls, every one of
them!" returned Dick enthusiastically, eyeing the contents of the
basket. "Thrice blessed be thy hens, Senorita! We'll have eggs with our
chocolate out here on the veranda!"

"I thought so!" came a sharp voice from the other side of the doorway
just behind them, "as usual, talking with the Senores!" and Senora
Fernandez, with flushed cheeks and a spiteful gleam in her eyes which
she took no pains to conceal, stepped from the door into the light.

"_Buenas dias_, Dona Fernandez!" said Chiquita, unabashed by the
Senora's sudden appearance and onslaught, "may the day bring you many
blessings! Look! Padre Antonio's greetings," and she held up the basket
for the Senora's benefit. Then, with a subtle sarcasm which she knew
would avenge her amply for the Senora's unprovoked attack, she said: "I
stopped to inquire what the Senores would have for their breakfast. They
say they will have eggs with their chocolate."

"Indeed! Eggs and chocolate--chocolate and eggs!" angrily retorted the
Senora, "just as though one didn't know what everybody takes for
breakfast!" But without waiting for her to finish, Chiquita vanished
through the doorway with her basket; her low laughter, followed by a
snatch of song just audible from within, serving to increase the
Senora's irritation.

"Holy God! I sometimes think the devil is inside of that girl!" she
exclaimed, vexed beyond measure.

"Ah, but what a sweet one!" laughed Dick. "I wouldn't mind being
possessed of the same myself."

"Bah, Senor! you talk like a fool!" she retorted. "I pray you, do not
think too poorly of us, Senor _Capitan_," she continued in an apologetic
tone, turning to Captain Forest. "I assure you, all the women in Santa
Fe are not so bold as the Senorita Chiquita."

"No, most of them are a tame lot!" broke in Dick, secretly enjoying the
Senora's discomfiture.

"_Caramba!_ your speech grows more foolish as you talk, Senor!" returned
the Senora in a tone of intense disgust. "I see, you too have fallen
under her spell. They say she has the evil-eye, Senor _Capitan_," she
went on, addressing the Captain again.

"Evil-eye--ha, ha! What next?" laughed Dick.

"Blood of the Saints! I'll no longer waste my time with you, Senor!" and
with an angry swish of her skirt, she turned and disappeared in the
house.

VII

"What does she mean by the evil