Prologue
RAIN fell on the tile roof of the small house where the parents lived on Antonia Hayes. It was
a cold rain. Antonia was glad of which it go summer, because to principles of oto-ño water
or of snow would begin to undergo true storms de-. Bighorn, a locality of the northwest of
Wyoming, was not a place where it was easy life when it covered the ice. One was a simple
town, and in spite of to have three thousand inhabitants, was dema-siado small like enjoying
the means of transport of a greater place. There was no airport; only one station of
auto-buses and the railroad, but the trains happened very once in a while, and to Antonia
they did not serve to him as anything.
It was to point to begin the second year of the race in the university of Arizona, in Tucson, a
place where the snow not even made formal appearance in winter, safe in summits of
mountains. They underwent sand storms, but not as spectacular as to be annoying. In
addition, passed his to pri-mer year of studies, been too much had occupied trying pass
and to cure its broken heart like worrying about the climate. Nevertheless, that day the heat
seemed to him suffocating, and that was glad of counted on an apparatus of conditioned
air.
In that moment, sounded the clock. Antonia occurred the return, so that its short one and
blond hair was rocked in the air. Their gray eyes were full of sadness to have to leave. But
the course began in less than one week, and had that to return to the greater school where it
lived to be preparing some things. To less, it cheered knowledge to him that Barrie Bell, the
daughter of George Rutherford, was his room companion. They took very well.
--Ha be wonderful tenerte here during one week -- it said with Jessica smoothness, his
mother --. Hopefully you had been able quedarte all the summer.
Its voice it broke. As much she as Horseradish tree, its husband, and the own Antonia, knew
very well the reason for which it could not remain too much time. It had been reason for great
sadness for all of them, but no they had spoken on the matter. Still it hurt too much, and the
murmuraciones only they began to silence itself then, when a year had almost passed from
happened. The sudden trip to France de George Rutherford, hardly months after Antonia
left, it had calmed habladurías.
In spite of happened, George continued being a good friend of Antonia and its family. His
university education was a gift that cos-teaba he. Although it tried to give back all the money
to him, at the moment could not do it. Their parents had a worthy position in the comu-nidad,
but lacked the economic resources sufficient to provide studies to him in a country in which
the university public prác-ticamente nonexistent era. George had been decided to help it,
and its amiability had had a high price for all.
Nevertheless, as much their Dawson son as their Barrie daughter came out immediately in
defense Antonia, to protect it of habladurías.
it tranquilized knowledge that the children of Geor-ge, the two people who plus they wanted,
outside did not think that the lover of its father. Something in which it helped fact that
Dawson and Powell Long they were rival; both wanted to take control of control on a
property that separated its respective farms in Bighorn. George had lived in the locality until
the scandal exploded. Then, one left to the familiar house that shared with its son in
Sheridan. It hoped that of that way the murmuraciones stopped, but did not obtain anything.
In the end, one had left to France, having incremen-tando enemistad between Dawson and
Powell Long. Enemistad that remained unalterable.

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And, nevertheless, although George was outside the country, and in spite of the support of
his friends and of its family, Sally Long had made as much damage to the reputation of
Antonia that was sure that it could not never return to his home.
It tried to leave to think about it and to concentrate themselves in which her mother was
saying. Absent, it murmured:
--Ya you know that this summer I had several classes. I feel much, but I thought that it would
be better. In addition, they were some of my better friends. In fact, it was enough amused,
although I in house would have preferred to have left. I believe that I am going to you to throw
much of less.
Jessica it embraced with calidez.
--Y we a you.
-- That one stupid one of Sally Long -- his father murmured, who also embraced --. It has
been espar-ciendo all type of lies on you for ale-jarte of Powell. Not yet with himself to
understand that the very cretino one believed them, nor that one married with her. By no to
speak of the baby. It was born only seven months after the wedding.
Antonia it waned, but it smiled in any case.
-- Olvídalo, papa. All that belongs to pasa-do -- it observed, trying to animate it --. They are
had married and now they have a daughter. I hope that he is happy.
-- Happy? After the form in which it has treated to you?
Antonia closed the eyes. Resul-taba the still painful memory. Powell had been the center of
its life. It would never have thought that outside possible to love so much somebody. He not
him it had declared its love, but she was sure that their senti-mientos were reciprocal.
Nevertheless, when it thought about it, account of which occurred not it it had never loved.
Only it had wished it. Until the point of which always it had wanted to pospone any
commitment.
But the delay had been enough ade-cuada, considering the happened thing.
It had loved it yet its heart, but was able to recover. Passed a year, still it could to see its
black eyes, their dark hair and its fine mouth. The image remained in his memory although it
had cancelled the right wedding the day previous to that it carried out. Several people did
not receive the news on time, and were waiting for a good short while in the church. When
remembering the humiliation, it shook.
Horseradish tree still was making all type of offensive comen-tarios on Sally. Her wife put
one hand on its arm to tranquilize it.
--Ya is enough, Horseradish tree. It is last water -- it said with firmness.
Its voice sounded so calm that was difficult to think that the scandal had affected his heart.
Enough good was recovering, and Antonia had done all possible by sos-layar the subject to
avoid that one became sad.
--No I believe that Powell is happy -- it continued Horseradish tree, to watching its daughter
--. It is never in house, and it is never seen him in public with its wife. In fact, almost never we
see Sally. If he is happy, does not demonstrate it. It called to house shortly before Easter,
stops to request your direction to us. It wrote to you?
-- Yes.
-- and well?-- it asked, with curiosity.
--Le I gave back letter without opening it -- it answered, more and more pale --. In short, so
and as it has said mother, is last water.
-- that Can it wanted to apologize -- it took part its mother.
Antonia it sighed.
-- Hay certain things that the excuses do not pue-den to fix. It loved Powell, you know? But he
no it felt the same by me. It never said that it wanted to me in all along that we were together.
It believed the lies of Sally. It annulled the wedding, said what it thought of me and it left to
me. It had to march to me. He was something too painful.
Still it remembered its wide back while one moved away of her. The pain had been
inso-portable. And it continued being it.

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-- As if George it was that type of man -- he said Jessica --. He is the most charming man of
the world, and it adores to you.
Certain --Es. No it is the type of man who dedicates itself to play with youngsters --
Horseradish tree --. commented Those that they thus create something on him are idiots. I
know very well that one left to France with the only intention to avoid the murmuraciones.
-- Good, considering that both we have left, I do not believe that people follow speaking --
Antonia --. smiled I am studying much. I love that George be proud of me.
--Lo will do. We already are it -- her mother said.
-- Supongo that for Powell Long it is punishment sufficient to be tied that egoistic witch -- it
insisted Horseradish tree, irritated --. Think that one is going away to make rich with that
farm of cattle, but only it is a soñador. His father was a player and his mother a poor woman.
I do not believe that be able to make money with that business.
-- Parece that it is obtaining -- it contradicted his wife --. A light truck finishes buying itself
new, and a pair of farms of Montana has signed a contract with him so that stallion them
pro-porcione. If you have good memory, you remembered that one of his bulls gained a
national prize.
--Un bull no espetó makes an empire --.
Antonia felt a deep anguish. Powell had shared its dreams with her. They had glided to
raise that farm together and to count on the best head of cattle of state.
—We could to change of conversation, please?-- it asked. Antonia, with a for-zada smile --.
Still it hurts to me.
-- Of course. We felt much -- excu-só its mother, with sweet voice --. You will return to house
by Christmases?
--Lo I will try. Really.
It only had one small suitcase. It took it to the car and it once again embraced its mother
before to raise the interior of the vehicle. His father was going to take it to the station of
buses.
Still it was early, but it was enough warm. When they arrived at his destiny, Antonia it left the
automobile, it took hold his suitcase and it waited for in the street while his father it directed
to the window that was in the super-mercado interior of the small one. There was tail to buy
tickets. Then it watched towards the street and it remained frost when contemplating to a
man who came near. A calm cold and ghost of the past.
It was so imposing as it remembered. It wore a suit more expensive than those than used
when they were together, and seemed thinner. But it continued being the same Powell
Long.
By its fault there was lost everything, except for the pride. When seeing that one approached
by the sidewalk, with its slow and elegant way to walk, delivered an attack to watch it directly
to the eyes. It was not arranged to allow that it noticed the deep one pain that it had caused
to him. Not even then.
The expression of Powell did not denote emotion some. When it arrived at its height one
stopped and it watched suitcase.
-- Vaya, go -- it commented, observing it --. It had heard that you were here. I suppose that
chick to returned to house to roast, right?
--No I think to have left here I -- she answered with coldness --. I have come to visit my
parents and return to the university, Arizona.
-- In bus?-- it asked --. Your lover cannot pay an airplane ticket? Or she is that you it left in
the stockade when one left to France?
Antonia beat to him a strong kick in espi-nilla. He was not something premeditaded, and the
surprise of Powell was as great as hers when it inclined to rub the leg.
-- Hopefully it took military boots with pun-tera of steel like some of the girls with that I am in
the university -- espetó --. If vuel-ves to speak to me thus, the next time I will break a leg to
you.
Then it moved away of him.

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Its father he finished buying the ticket of bus. It had been present at the scene and it was
arranged a to leave to fix the accounts with Powell, but Antonia entered and was prevented
it.
-- We will hope here to the bus, papa -- it said, with the face reddened by the fury. Its father
he watched at Powell with coldness.
-- Good, to less it seems that it begins to con-trolar its genius badly. The last year it would
not be had marched -- his father --. commented I hope that you have made him damage.
Antonia smiled.
--No I create it. No damage can be done to which it does not have sensitivity. I hope that
Sally asks to him by the happened thing.
Its ex- fiancè he disappeared of the Vista, down the street.
-- Creo that bus has arrived.
Its father he accompanied the outside. Fortunately, neither the ticket retailer nor the people
that they were in the tail they seemed to have pres-tado attention to the scene that it had
been desarro-llado in the street. The people of the small locality would not have needed
much more to revive habladurías.
Antonia embraced to its father before raising the bus. It wanted to watch towards the street
to see if Powell still was close. But it did not want to risk to that it saw it, a to weigh of which
the dark windows probably would have prevented it.
Second pluses late, the bus left the terminal. Antonia closed the eyes and passed the rest of
the trip trying to again forget the pain to have seen Powell.
Chapter 1
VERY WELL, Martin, but I believe that you have olvi-dado something, does not seem to
you? The secret weapon that the Greeks used in the battles.
Antonia spoke with smoothness, smiling. Mar-tin was very timid, to even be nine years old of
age, and it did not want to shame it in front of the other boys of the class.
—A secret weapon -- the boy murmured, whose eyes were illuminated when falling in
account --. ¡The formation military!
In effect. Very well.
Martin watched very proud towards the writing desk where was his worse enemy, in second
row. It hoped that it could not answer the question, and seemed to have itself taken a
disappointment.
Antonia watched clock. It lacked little so that the last hour of class finished, and, with her,
labor week. It seemed to him stranger who the wristwatch danced in his wrist.
-- Good, we go a to gather -- it informed to its students --. Jack, you could erase the slate,
please? Ah, Mary, close the blinds when you can.
Both young they obeyed quickly, por-que the young lady Hayes fell to them very well. Mary
she watched and she smiled. Antonia Hayes was not as atrac-tiva as the young lady Bell; by
the general, wore serious suits, bold nonminiskirts nor shirts; he had long blond hair that was
very beautiful when horrible one was not put that moño, and their eyes were gray like a
inver-nal sky. It lacked little for Christmases, and only one week for the vacations. Mary
wondered itself what would do then the young lady Hayes. It was never going to no
interesting place to happen vacations, nor spoke on their family. It thought that perhaps it did
not have to anybody.
In that moment, sounded the timbre. Antonia smiled and it took leave of its students while
they left the class loaded with its portfolios. Des-pués fixed a little writing-desk and was
asked if his father would go to visit it that year, per Christmases. Both were very single since
her mother was dead, the previous year. loss it had been terrible, like terrible it went to have
to go to the burial and to see that Powell was there, with its daughter. When remembering
the gesture of its hard face shook. His expression was not smoothed at any moment, not
even when final-mente they buried to its mother. Nine years had passed and still it hated it.
Antonia as soon as one paid attention to the girl of dark hair that went with him; it was like
knife that was nailed in its heart, the memory of which Powell it had been laying down with

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Sally when still they were it jeopardize, like it demonstrated the fact that its first-born had
been born seven months after the wedding.
It hurt so much to him that it only watched towards the place where they found in an
occasion. And man-tuvo watched of Powell.
It was incredible that still hated it, des-pués of to have married and to have one daughter,
cuan-do, surely, would have heard the truth by mouth of different people throughout the
years. Now he was rich. It had money, power and a her-mosa mansion. Her wife had died
three years after the wedding, and she was not had married again. It supposed that it would
miss to Sally. To difference hers. It hated the idea to remember the woman who had been
her better friend. The lies of Sally had had high a dema-siado price, until the point of which
there was had to leave its home. And the worse thing of everything, was that Powell was it
believed.
Nevertheless, nine years had passed. Time than more sufficient so that it could pen-sar in
him without feeling too much pain.
In that moment, somebody called to the door, giving back it to the reality. It was Barrie Bell, a
good friend hers, the professor of mathematics who always took miniskirt. Barrie was a very
attractive woman; thin, of precious pier-nas and with the long and almost black hair. Their
green eyes shone with certain irony, and era of easy smile.
-- You could quedarte with me in Christmas -- her friend said.
-- In Sheridan?-- it asked been strange.
That one was place where his father lived. The place where they had lived George
Rutherford and his last wife, her son Dawson and Barrie before her friend left and she
began to give classes with Antonia in Tucson.
-- Not -- it answered, smiling --. In my floor of Tucson. I have four fiancès, so that pode-mos
to divide them. Two for you and two for me. Pode-mos to play a little.
Antonia smiled.
-- I have twenty-seven years and I am a little greater for some jueguecitos. In addition, it is
possible that my father comes to see me. But thanks in any case.
-- Sincerely, Annie, you are enough young person although you insist on disguising it with
those suits of old governess -- her friend --. declared Míra-te. And that moño infernal with
which you take shelter the hair... You seem a Victorian postcard. You would have dejarte the
hair small change, ponerte a miniskirt, maquillarte a little and to look for a man before that
you become too old. And it would not come to you bad to eat a little. You are so thin that
begins to you to notice the bones.
Antonia knew that it was right. There was lost five kilos in the last month; she was so
preo-cupada that it had called to the doctor to request hour. It supposed that he would not be
nothing important, but it wanted to make sure in any case. It tried to be convinced that,
probably, he only walked a little low iron.
--Es certain -- it continued Barrie --. You have had a very hard year. First with the death of
your mother and soon with that wound that to you that student did who brought the pistol of
its father to class and that to us maintained retained during one hour the last month.
--La education it is beginning to be a dangerous pro-fesión -- it smiled with sadness --.
Perhaps we would have to insist on that aspect so that more people animated a to give
class.
--Es a good one idea. It wants to live a aven-tura? ¡Give classes! I almost can see eslogan.
--Me I go a house -- Antonia interrupted.
-- Good, I suppose that I also. I have an appointment tonight.
-- With whom?
-- With Bob. It is charmer, and we took well. But sometimes I think that I am not done stops
to have a relation with a so con-vencional man. I need an artist, or composer, or a pilot.
Antonia laughed.
-- Espero that find one.
--Si thus was, probably espo-sas hidden in another country, or something would have two

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thus. No I have much luck with the men.
--Es by your aspect. You are imposing and agre-siva, and that scares to most of men.
-- Trivialities. If they were the sufficiently segu-ros thing would run, to my door -- it informed --.
to him I am safe that somewhere it has man for me, hoping to me.
--No fits to me doubt.
Not even he commented that he thought that that man existed, and who was waiting for it in
Sheridan.
Under the image aggressive of Barrie a sad and quite single woman hid. It was not in
abso-luto what it seemed. In fact it had, fear of the men, and in special of Dawson. Both
were stepbrothers, of different parents. Daw-son was son of George, the old and charming
man who had been victim of the lies of Sally Long. Lies that had not affected the stepbrother
of Barrie, position that dema-siado was intelligent, in addition to being man coldest e
intímidatorio with the women who Antonia had known in all its life. Barrie never mentioned it;
it never spoke of him. If sometimes it left a to shine its name, changed quickly of
conversation. Everybody knew that they did not take well. But privily it suspected that there
was something in his past, something of which her friend never spoke.
George had dead time back, bequeathing its possessions to its son. And both stepbrothers
they had his differences because Barrie had inherited an important percentage of the cattle
industry of his padrastro.
-- Tengo to call to my father to see what plans have -- Antonia murmured, returning to reality.
--Si cannot to come, you will go to your house in Christmas?
--No, I will not go a house.
-- By what?-- it asked --. Oh, yes. I tend to olvi-dar it sometimes, because you never speak
on he. I feel it. But already they have spent nine years. I do not believe that after as much
time to you continues keeping resentment. After all, he was he who cancelled the wedding
and a month married later with your better friend. And cause of everything was she it the
scandal.
--Lo I know.
-- It had to be very enamored with him to risk that way, although I suppose that he already it
will have found out the truth -- she continued its friend backwards, lying down the hair.
Antonia it sighed.
-- You create? Yes, I imagine that somebody will have said it. Although, surely, not it cree-ría.
It thinks that I am a gangster.
-- But it loved to you.
--No, only me it wished -- it said with bitterness --. That was at least what said. It did not do
illusions to me on the right that it was to want to marry with me. My father had one good
posi-ción in the town, although was not rich, and to Powell it was to him very advisable. The
love that felt by him was not reciprocal. It had a daughter and it made rich, although it did not
love its wife either. Sally poor man -- it added with a laughter bitter --. So many lies and,
when it obtained what wanted, was not happy.
--Se it deserved -- espetó --. It destroyed to your repu-tación and the one of your parents.
--Y the one of your padrastro -- it remembered --. to him It wanted much to my mother.
Barrie smiled with dulzura.
Certain --Es. It was a luck that took so well with your father, and that was friends. When your
parents married, my padrastro accepted enough good. But it followed wanting it. For that
reason it helped you as much.
-- Until the point to pay my studies. He was that, indeed, which caused so many pro-blemas
to him. Powell did not swallow George, Its father were lost many earth by him. Of fact,
Dawson and Powell still maintain a dispute on them. It can that lives in Sheridan, but its farm
has hundreds of hectares and is contiguous with the farm of Powell. According to my father
says, does the impossible life to him whenever he can.
-- Dawson does not have forgotten nor pardoned the lies that Sally said on George. It spoke
with her, you knew it? It said everything what thought to him, being present Powell.

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--No me you had counted.
--No knew how to do it. I know that it does not please you that it is mentioned your ex-
fiancè.
-- Supongo that Powell would come out in defense of its wife.
--No you create. Even it is careful with Daw-son -- he remembered --. to him In addition,
what could say? Sally lay and discovered its lies. Aun-que too much late, because already
they had married.
-- Quieres to say that Powell has known to the ver-dad all these years?-- it asked,
overwhelmed.
--Yo I have not said that it believed to my herma-nastro -- remembered to him, avoiding its
glance.
--Ah, clear. Good...
Antonia thought that he was ridiculous to suppose that Powell had believed the word of the
its greater one enemy. They had never taken well.
-- How a went to believe it? My padrastro gained all earth to him to the father of Powell in
one poker game, when they were young. In case outside little, both have adjacent farms, and
both are had fact rich with the business of the cattle. Whenever a oportu-nidad appears, they
fight to each other to obtain the contract. In fact, now they are being fought by that peda-zo of
earth that separates its properties. The one that belongs to widow of Holton.
-- It could be said that between both they have means world -- observed Antonia.
-- Yes, and they want to increase its properties -- Barrie --. laughed In short, it is not subject
our. By less, not now. At least it sees my her-manastro, far better.
Antonia only it had seen them together in an occasion, and was in agreement with her.
When Dawson was close, Barrie became another person, much more tense, e even patosa
until humorous ends.
--Si you change of opinion with respect to the vacations, you only must say to me it --
recor-dó to him his friend.
Antonia smiled with calidez.
--Lo I will remember. If my father cannot come, you could go to house with me.
--No, thanks -- it shook --. Bighorn is too much near the house of Dawson for my pleasure.
-- But he lives in Sheridan.
--No is there always. Once in a while it remains in the farm of Bighorn. In fact, últi-mamente it
spends long time there, by the subject of the widow of Holton. Its late husband he had many
earth, and not yet he has decided to whom to sell them to it.
A widow with earth. Barrie had comen-tado that Powell also wanted to obtain them. Or so
time their sights were centered in pro-pia widow. Not in vain he also it had enviu-dado and
he was single. So single that almost entris-tecía when thinking about it.
-- Tienes to eat more -- Barrie, worried about its aspect --. remembered to him You are too
much thin, Annie, although that I accentuated the gentleness of your characteristics. You
have precious body, with a smooth skin and the pómulos very marked.
-- Herede' pómulos of one of my grandmothers, who were an India cheyenne.
It remembered with sadness that Powell called Cheyenne of affectionate way, although in
rea-lidad it had to the pitch similarity of the word with the expression shy Ann. timid Ann. Not
in vain one had behaved with certain timidity in his first it mentions.
-- good Llevas blood -- Barrie --. jokedBetween my ancestors, there is a Spanish of the
Navy Invincible, that arrived at Ireland when its boat sank in a storm. legend says that he was
a nobleman who married with the sister of a horseman Irish.
-- Vaya history.
-- Yes, right? I believe that someday I will leave the classes of mathematics and I will
dedicate myself to the fiction historical -- it joked, watching clock --. God mine, I am going to
arrive late at my appointment with Bob. I must march to me running. ¡I will see Monday you!
-- That you amuse.
-- Always me I amuse. And hopefully you also did, once in a while.

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Barrie it dismissed from the door, leaving a smooth scent to perfume in the room.
Antonia reached its briefcase, where it took the examinations that it had to correct and the
lessons of the following week. When it finished reco-ger everything what there was upon the
table watched his around and left the classroom.
Chapter 2
The small one apartment had views to the enormous one "To" of the mountain of Tucson,
giant letter that it symbolized to the university of Arizona and that every year they painted of
new the students. The locality era of low houses; only in the center it had a few high buildings
that gave certain aspect him of city. One extended along and in all directions, with wide
streets, much sand and a heat suffocating. It did not have anything to do with Bighorn, in
Wyoming, the place where family of Antonia had lived during many generations.
It remembered death of its mother, a year back. It had had to return to Bighorn stops to
attend the funeral, and the house filled of neighbors who appeared to give the condolence or
to take food. Her mother had been a woman very wanted in the community, and its friends
they sent many branches of flowers.
The day of funeral turned out to be sunny and bri-llante, so that the snow shone with
silver-plated refle-jos. It remembered to have thought that to its mother it enchanted to him
spring. But no longer it would see no other. Its heart, always fragile, did not have been able
to resist by more time; but it had been a fast death at least. It had died in the kitchen, when it
was putting a cake in the furnace.
The service was brief, but painful. Later, Antonia and its father returned to the house, that
she was empty. Dawson Rutherford appeared to give the condolence in name of George;
he was too ill since to make the trip from France he stops to attend the funeral. In fact, it died
two weeks later.
Dawson volunteer rendered to take to Barrie to the airport, so that he could to take the
airplane that had to take it to Arizona. And Antonia noticed clearly much that afec-taba the
presence of its stepbrother. Even a simple passage of few minutes it put his friend very
ner-viosa.
It was that engraving in the memory.
It remembered that, shortly after, his father had to leave and who she remained keeping the
clothes from its mother. Then Mrs. Harper appeared, the neighbor of alongside, who she
was helping them. And it announced to him that Powell Long was in the door and that it
wished to see it.
It had happened the three worse days of its exis-tencia, and one did not feel with forces
stops to face him.
-- Dile that no I have nothing to speak with him -- it declared with pride.
-- Supongo that it knows very well what means to lose to somebody so dear. It lost to Sally it
does few years -- it remembered to him.
Antonia knew that her wife had died. But it had not sent any branch of flowers nor it had put
in contact with him to give the condolence him, because the death had happened three
years after one left Bighorn. A time too much short like forgetting the bitterness the
happened thing.
-- I am safe of which it will include/understand the situa-ción -- Antonia insisted.
The lady Harper left and it continued with which the neighbor was doing until she returned
five minutes later, with a card.
—It has requested to me that you it gives it -- murmured --, and who says to you that you call
it if you need its aid.
Antonia took card and broke it without watching followed it. Later it gave back the pieces to
Mrs. Harper before continuing keeping the clothes from its mother.
The neighbor watched the pieces and left. It understood its reaction perfectly.
From the death from its mother, Antonia it had not returned to know nothing of Powell, unless
there was been much successful with its farm. It did not interest its life to him, although not
there was casa-do again. The past he was dead and enterra-do for her. But in any case, it

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was wondered why reason would have gone to visit it that day. Perhaps because culprit felt.
Or perhaps by some other thing. It was like it was, never would know it.
Antonia watched answering machine and observed that there was a message. The button
pressed to oir it. Like he feared, his father underwent of his habitual winter bron-quitis and
the doctor not him it allowed that it raised an airplane by fear of which the trip affected his
lungs. It did not desire to him to go in bus or train, so that it would have to return to house if it
wanted to see it, or otherwise they would spend Christmases single and separated.
It was dropped in the sofa of flowers that it had bought in a store of furniture of second hand
and it sighed. It did not want to return to its home; of to have been able to find an excuse no
it would have gone, but it could not leave its father passed the celebrations single, being
patient. So that it offed-hook the telephone and it reserved a seat in the following one flight
to Billings, where aero-puerto closest to Bighorn was.
Wyoming was very little town, of mane-ra that were few airports. Powell Long, rich man who
could allow those luxuries, had installed a track of landing in its farm. In Bighorn there was no
place where it could take earth a small plane, by small which outside. Antonia knew that
her-manastro of Barrie it had of a small reac-tor and an aerodrome like the one of Powell in
his farm, but it did not want to abuse requesting a similar favor to him. In addition, it had to
admit that one felt so intimidated by Dawson Rutherford like its friend. He was a powerful
man and of a very masculine aggressiveness, seemed in many aspects to its old one
fiancè.
It rented vehicle in the airport of Billings and went to Bighorn. Customary a to cross lengths
passages to the steering wheel, in Arizona, the trip did not worry it too much.
The landscape was precious. There was snow throughout, something in which had not
thought when it rented the car. The highways were despe-jadas, but it feared the possible
ones icy patches that could find. Nevertheless, it supposed that it would fix. It thought that the
previous day, cuan-do called to its father to warn to him of its arrival, it must have asked to
him on the time that did. Without embargo, noticed that he was ill and did not want to tire
man-teniendo it too much one releases telephone conversation. In any case it was waiting
for it, and if it took too much in arriving, would send to somebody so that it looked for it.
It watched towards white mountains and thought about much that it had missed that place,
site that had been the home of its family during many generations. In mountains, in valleys,
and the enormous trees that raised themselves like sentries on clear water streams, there
was much of his own his-toria personnel. The forests extended throughout, green and
majestic, so and as they had to be raised during prehistory. Arizona also had mountains and
forests, but Wyoming was another thing. It was its home.
The feeling of nostalgia it was increased as one approached the town. Indeed a the
outskirts of Bighorn, the car skidded on an icy patch and was a point to finish in the
roadside ditch, which it could not have left because it was too deep.
It contents by to have been able to control the auto-móvil, entered the small locality. It left
back the church and the post office and went towards the Victorian mansion of its father,
who encon-traba in a wide street, something remote of the center. It parked in the ford,
under a cotton plant. It enchanted to him to be of return in house by Christmas.
Next to window, was a great tree, ador-nado with such objects that had uti-lizado during
years and illuminated with multitude of small lights. It watched one of ornamentos, a small
crystal red deer, and remembered with amar-gura that Powell it had given it when they
jeopardized, in one Christmas very distant. When it left it thought about to break it, but was
not able. He was too pretty, too fragile. Like his old and last relation.
In that moment, his father appeared in the door, dress with a dressing gown and a pajamas.
it embraced with calidez and it said:
--Me I cheer as much of verte... I am far better, but the damn doctor did not leave he took an
airplane.
--Y was right. It only lacked that you pillaras one pulmonía. His father smiled.
-- Supongo that it is truth. You will remain until nochevieja?

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--No, I cannot. I feel it. I must return day twenty-six -- it answered.
It did not comment that it had an appointment with the doctor because it did not want to
worry it.
-- Good, of all forms you will be one week. I am afraid that we will not be able to leave too
much, but we will be together and we will become company, does not seem to you? Dawson
said that it would happen this way some night -- it added --. suddenly It finishes returning to
Europe, because it must attend a quite important convention.
--Al less never it believed habladurías on his father and I.
-- It knew too much well to its father -- de-claró.
-- George was wonderful man. It is not strange to me that you were friends during as much
time.
--Lo I throw of less. And also to your mother, who peacefully rests. She was the impor-tante
person of my life, with you.
--Y you are more important person for me -- she said, smiling --. I am glad much to be in
house.
-- Still you like education?
-- More than ever.
-- Hay good schools here -- it observed --. Siem-pre needs professors. And two of the
professors they are pregnant women, so that they will have pro-blemas to find substitutes.
You have not con-siderado the possibility of...?
--Me it pleases Tucson -- it said with firmness.
--Lo I doubt. It is by Powell, it is not certain? That damn gangster... Why it would have to
listen to the witch of Sally? In any case, a high price by its error paid. It turned its life a hell.
Antonia it hurried to change of conver-sación.
-- Quieres coffee?
-- Supongo that yes. And it would not matter to me to take a sopita. Still it is left a little of
which it prepared Mrs. Harper.
-- Still it lives in the house of alongside?
-- Yes -- it answered with a smile --. And also she is widow. I do not need decirte why it
brought soup.
--La lady Harper always has fallen to me well -- it smiled --. as well She was very good friend
of mother, and it is like of the family. You I say it in case you had wondered yourself what
would think on the matter.
-- it has only happened a year, daughter -- it remembered to him with sadness.
-- Mother loved to you too much like que-rer that you were single. It would not have liked that
you you buried in life.
Its father he shrank of shoulders.
-- I will be single all along that it wants.
-- Like prefer. I am going to change of clothes. Later I will take to the soup and the coffee to
you.
Minutes more late, Antonia left his dor-mitorio, with cattle tenders and a white jersey with the
neck of red color.
-- What so is Barrie?-- his father asked.
-- Well. Like always.
-- Why it does not have come with you?
-- Because it is too much occupied with its four fiancès -- it answered, laughing, while
calen-taba the soup.
-- Dawson not it it will always hope.
Antonia it watched.
-- You also it create? Barrie never speaks on him.
-- Good, he it does not speak either on her.
-- and what there is of that rumor that I have heard on a hypothetical relation with the widow
of Holton?

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Its father he seated in the chair and he breathed deeply.
--La lady Holton is one pelirroja exube-rante, all an all-consuming one of men. It walks
behind Dawson and of Powell Long. And of cual-quier another man with money and more or
less attractive face.
--Ya I see.
-- Not you you decide her? It was here shortly before which you left to study to university, but
traveled much with its husband. I believe that she was actress. Ever since his husband died
has spent long time in his house.
—What is what it does?
-- you talk about a what is dedicated now?-- pre-guntó, laughing and delivering an attack not
to toser --. It lives on the rents. It does not have to work. She is a lucky woman.
--A me not me it would please to be without doing nothing -- it observed Antonia --. I like
education. He is something more than a work.
-- Hay many women whom they prefer that they maintain his husbands to them. Or that is not
done it stops to work.
-- Supongo that you are right.
Antonia served the soup and the coffee that had prepared. They ate in silence until, to the
end of awhile, his father said:
-- Hopefully she was your mother here.
--A me also I would like -- she smiled with sadness.
-- Good, I suppose that we must thank reason why we have.
-- That is much more than what they have enough people.
His father smiled and he watched it. It almost could see its late wife in the face of its
daughter.
-- Certain. Me I cheer much of which you spend Christmases with me.
--Y I. But now, tómate the soup.
It served to him little and it thought more that it would do the possible thing so that
Horseradish tree spent Christmases very happy.

Chapter 3
DAWSON RUTHERFORD was a high, thin, blond man, with a mag-nífico body and eyes
penetrating. Although he had not been handsome, its physical presence was than sufi-ciente
more in order to make it attractive, to which its deep voice had to be aña-dir, whose
smoothness slightly aterciopelada it never disappeared, although it was gotten upset. But
also he was the man colder than it had never known, mainly the relative thing to the women.
It remembered that in funeral of its father one had moved away of one beautiful young
person to avoid its contact; something enough stranger if he had myself in he tells that
always he had been very mujeriego.
Of not having be because one fell in love with Powell Long, surely, something would have
tried with Dawson, by intimidatory that seemed to him.
But of all forms, were done for another type of woman. For Barrie, perhaps.
The day of Christmas Eve appeared so and as there was fiance', with a pipe of gift for his
father. Antonia later found it in the porch minu-tos:
-- You would have avergonzarte by to him to have given a pipe -- it murmured.
--Se will recover of the bronchitis. In addition, you know that it will not let smoke in any case.
We have tried to convince it during many years without success.
--Lo I know. It has been a very pretty detail by your part.
-- Quieres to see what it has given me to me?-- it asked.

Then it removed a silverplated lighter, with the superior part of turquesa color.
--No knew that you smoked.

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--Y I do not smoke. Good, once in a while it smoked some pure one that another one -- it
corrected --. But I left it for months. It does not know it, and I have preferred not to say it to it.
In such case, I will not say it either -- she said with approval tone.
Dawson it shrank of shoulders and it watched it with entrecerrados eyes.
--No I have nothing against the tobacco. Although some exaggerated smokers are
something. Conoz-co to one specially hardened.
Antonia knew of immediate that was hablan-do on Powell, that always had smoked pure,
and that, with all probability, it continued doing it.
--No you say -- him to it it warned.
--No I will do it. It seems molestarte.
-- they have happened nine years.
-- Somebody had to stick a shot to him by the form that had of tratarte -- espetó --. I have
never liked, and, of course, that subject did not improve our relation. It wanted much to my
father. Sally behaved with an absolute baseness when doing to him to think that there was
some relation between George and you.
-- it always had state enamored with Powell.
--Y it obtained. But I must decirte that Powell made it pay by its lies. To end, began to drink.
It never was in house, and hated his daughter.
-- By what?-- it asked, astonished --. I know that to Powell it likes the children.
-- Sally it catched with that girl. But for her, it would have left it. Create that the stupid thing
does not know that was? The truth knows, almost from the day of its wedding.
-- But it remained with its wife.
-- Teni'a to do it. It was trying that its farm worked, and this one is a locality small. It could not
leave to its pregnant wife estan-do -- it declared, tightening lips --. It hates to you, you knew
it? It hates to you by it not to have obli-gado a escucharte, by to have fled. It blames to you by
everything what it has happened to him.
-- How it is possible that you know so many things on him, if he is your worse enemy?-- it
asked.
-- Tengo my spies -- it sighed --. He is not able to recognize that he was he who committed
the error, to not to think that Sally was able to lie. It did not know that it had deceived it even
after the wedding. In fact, she was not so bad woman. It was enamored and no it could
support the idea to lose it, although outside with you. The love does that some people make
madnesses.
-- Destruyo' my reputation and the one of your father. I had to march to me my own house -- it
said without to feel mercy some --. She was my enemy and it continues being it. You do not
believe that I lodge none good feeling towards Powell. If it could, it would cut the neck to him
to the first opportunity. Dawson bent the eyebrows. Antonia was a very calm woman almost
always, exception done of some occasional exits of tone that surprised people. She was not
vindictive, but it included/understood that it lodged such feelings towards the woman who
had been her better friend. It could not blame it for that reason.
-- How it is Barrie?-- it asked, jugueteando with the burner.
-- Trying to fix them to it with its fiancès -- it smiled, with shining eyes --. Cuan-do had four I
left it.
Dawson laughed with coldness.
--No me it surprises. A man never was sufficient for her, not even when she was one
quinceañera.
Its antagonism towards his hermanastra sor-prendió. It seemed outside place.
-- Why you hate so much?-- it asked. Dawson watched it surprised.
-- To hate it? I not hatred. It disappoints its behavior to me, that is everything.
--No is nothing promiscua. It can that it likes to give that image, but it is not it. You did not
know it?
-- It can that knows more things of those than you create -- it answered, watching its lighter --.
Perhaps you are it that he does not see certain things.

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--O can that you only see what you want to see -- espetó with gentleness.
Dawson put the burner in the pocket.
-- It will be better than it goes to me. I must sign a contract, and I do not want to lose the
client.
-- Thanks for to come to see my father. You have animated much to it.
--Es my friend -- it smiled --. And you also, aun-que I put the noses where you would not
have.
-- Barrie is friend mine.
-- Good, I no I can say the same. Merry Christmas, Annie.
-- Happy Christmas -- it smiled with calidez.
Dawson was charming man, to its way. It fell to him very well, but it felt it by Barrie. A less
than it was mistaken, his friend was enamored with him; as far as feelings of their
stepbrother, did not have idea if that love he were reciprocal.
When it marched, returned with its father. It was in the kitchen, doing hot chocolate. When oir
it to enter, one became to watch it.
-- it is had marched?
—Yes. I can ayudarte?
Horseradish tree denied with head. It served the chocolate in two cups and made a gesture
so that one seated while it filled the water casserole so that the rest did not stick.
--Me it has given a pipe -- it said, taking seat --. I have not had heart to say to him that there
am let smoke.
—¡Papa!-- it exclaimed, cheer --. She is one notifies wonderful.
His father laughed.
-- Supuse that you you would cheer. It can that from now on does not have so many
pulmonary problems.
-- Speaking of lungs, I know that him you have rega-lado a burner to Dawson. And you know
a thing? Not it has bold to decirte that it had let smoke.
Horseradish tree exploded in an outburst of laughter.
-- Good, it will be able to use it to ignite bonfires or to make barbecues in its farm.
-- Good idea. I will say the next time to it that sees it.
-- Then already you can to hope. It travels much últi-mamente. I almost never see it -- it
commented, watching it fixedly --. By the way, Powell was the last week here.
Antonia felt a jab in the heart, although its expression did not vary.
-- Why?
-- it had heard that he was ill and it wanted to pre-guntar by my health. Also it wanted to know
where you were.
-- Yes?-- it asked, frost.
--Le I said that you you did not know the one of my bronchitis and that put in their own
subjects.
--Ya I see.
Horseradish tree took drink of its hot chocolate.
-- Iba with his daughter. A precious girl and very shut up. Not even one moved. A was limited
to seat and to watch to us. It is looked very many like its mother.
Antonia watched his cup, furious. The daughter of aque-lla woman had there been, in her
home, with man with whom been she had enamored. The idea seemed to him unbearable,
almost a violation.
-- You seem sad -- his father --. said I supposed that you would not like, but thought that it
was better than you knew it. It said that it would come again after Christmas, to see so what
it was. And it had advertírtelo, although I did not invite it. In fact, it surprised to me that it
came to visit to me. Of course, it liked much to your mother. It hurt to him that the scandal
affected so much as to cause its first attack to the heart -- it added --. In cual-quier case, it
seems that it has decided to become my angel of the guard. Until it sent to doctor when I put
patient, conspiring with Mrs. Harper to my backs.

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Parecía to displease that subject to him, but smiled in any case.
—It was a pretty detail on the other hand -- it declared its daughter, although the actions of
Powell sor-prendían --. to him But thanks to notice it to me. If it appears this way, me I will fix
them to have to do something in the kitchen.
--Ya has happened nine years -- it remembered to him.
--Y you think that it must it have forgotten. You are very comprehensive with the people,
papa. Per-donas to the others with too much facility. Before that happened all, I also it was
thus. It can that had to be more comprehensive, but I cannot be it. Powell and Sally turned
my life a hell.
-- But in everything this time you have not left with anybody more. You have not had social
life, nor appointments. You go to convertirte in an old tapeworm, without mari-do or
companion, children, without no emotional security.
--Me it pleases to be single -- it said with tranquillity --. And I do not want to have children.
In fact it was lie, although only parcial-mente. It only wanted to have children with Powell. No
it wanted to have them with anybody more.
Chapter 4
THE DAY OF Christmas passed without dema-siados worthy events of mention, safe the
gifts that interchanged and the recuer-dos of Jessica.
To the day following, Antonia already had made the suitcases. A suit had been put of point
pink color, with pantys and low shoes of heel, dis-puesta for it travels. The hair in moño had
taken shelter and took the velvet shelter on an arm. When it let the suitcase in the ground to
take leave of its father, the weave of the article shone under the light.
While it advanced towards the hall heard voices that called their attention. And when arriving
at entrance, remained frost in the site. It recognized that tone perfec-tamente deep and it
burdens, in spite of the years that had passed. It was a voice so relative like the hers own
one.
When the stop and thin man became, black eyes nailed in the face of Antonia. Those of
Powell.
Antonia tried to maintain the composure. It did not want that its glance betrayed its
sentimien-tos. It was limited to observe it and to compare that man of thirty and so many
years with the young person who was been on the verge of marrying with her. Of course,
comparison was desfavo-rable. It had grey hairs in sienes and some wrinkles in the
comisuras of the mouth and around the eyes.
As well, Powell watched it with identical pen-samientos. The girl who had known she had
turned a calm woman, with a taste for the clothes enough conservative and horrible moño in
the head. It seemed a professor sol-terona. But it surprised to him that, in spite of the
passed years, its vision him it caused a jab in the heart. It felt curiosity by her. It wanted to
see it of new, although it did not know why. Perhaps because one had refused to reci-bir it
when her mother died. But now that was before her he was not safe of ale-grar itself. It
finished waking up in its interior something that was been slept long time.
Antonia was first in separating the glance. The intensity of its eyes was able to shake it, but
it knew to control itself. It did not have intention to demonstrate no weakness.
--Lo I feel -- it said to its father --. It had not given account me of which you had visit. I have
only come stops to dismiss to me. I will leave immediately.
Its father it seemed uncomfortable.
-- Powell wanted to know what so I am.
-- you march to You so soon?-- it asked. That one was the first time that went to her in much
time.
-- Tengo to return to the school before the students, to prepare it everything -- it answered,
con-tenta to maintain the calm.
--Ah, is certain. You are professor, right?
Antonia no it could maintain his glance. Their eyes seemed to escape to any observation,
between its aggressive jaw, its fine but sensual mouth, its straight nose, his defined

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pómulos and its beautiful face. It could not say that outside handsome, but any woman would
have found it attractive to the five minutes. It distilled an intangible charisma, perhaps certain
air of auto-ridad, or security in his movements, inclu-so in the way to incline the head. It was
overwhelming.
-- Yes, I am professor -- it said, before going to its father --. Papa?
Horseradish tree excused itself and one approached his daughter to embrace it.
-- Cuídate. Llámame when you arrive, so that it knows that you are well, in agreement? It has
been snowing again.
--No you worry about me. If I have some pro-blema, I take telephone in the car.
-- You think to lead until Arizona with this time?-- Powell asked.
--He been leading all my life with a similar time -- it answered.
Of young you it terrified to lead in these conditions -- it remembered with solemnity. Antonia
it smiled coldly.
--Te I communicate that I have already grown.
The glance of Antonia left well clear what felt by him. Powell did not separate the glance; well
on the contrary, their eyes denoted one shut up accusation.
-- Sally left one letter for you -- it said of repen-te --. You I never sent it. With the passage of
the years, I have finished forgetting it.
Antonia breathed deeply, irritated. The letter remembered that had sent him little tiem-po
after one left Bighorn, the letter that never opened.
—Another one?-- it asked, with absolute coldness -- I do not want anything of she, not even
a letter.
-- She was friend yours -- it remembered to him.
-- Era my enemy -- it corrected --. It ruined my reputation and it could almost say that it killed
my mother. You really think that I want to remember what did?
Powell no it vacillated. Its face became hardened before declaring:
-- it never wanted herirte deliberately.
-- In serious? And think that its postrero arre-pentimiento would have given back the life to
my mother or a George Rutherford?-- it asked, with vehe-mencia --. Think that it would have
silenced habladurías that she herself propagated?
Powell occurred the return and inclined the head to ignite a cigarette, apparently tran-quilo.
Antonia delivered an attack to maintain the calm. When it gathered the suitcase, it had the
frozen hands. His father observed it with preoccupation.
--Te I will call, papa. Cuídate much, please.
-- Espera little. Too much you are altered.
--No, I cannot. Good bye, papa -- one took leave with broken voice.
Not even it watched Powell. It left the house quickly; in two minutes it had kept his luggage in
the maletero and had opened the door of the vehicle. But before that he could raise the car,
his old fiancè went to her.
-- Tranquilízate -- it said with coldness, obligándo-la to watch it --. You will not make any
favor to your father if you finish in a roadside ditch in half of no part.
Antonia it shook before his proximity and one separated deliberately, with accusatory
glance.
-- Pareces so fragile -- he continued he, as if the words had escaped against his volun-tad
--. It is that you do not eat?
-- Like sufficient -- it answered --. Good bye.
Powell covered with the fingers the hand that it had in the lock of the door.
-- What did Dawson Rutherford here, makes a pair of nights?-- it asked.
Antonia no it waited for that question.
--No is subject yours.
-- It could to be it -- one made fun of --. The father of Rut-herford ruined my father, or is that
not it you remember? I do not have any intention to per-mitir that his son ruins to me also as
well.

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-- In case not it you remember, George Rutherford and my father was friends.
--Y George and you, lovers.
Antonia no it reacted. It was limited to watch it with scorn.
—You know the truth. But you do not want to believe it.
-- George paid to you the studies -- he remembered to him.
—Certain -- it smiled --. And I compensated his gene-rosidad removing he registers of
honor and terminan-do second of my promotion. He was filán-tropo and the best friend than
has had my family. I throw it much of less.
—¡He was an old one green loaded of money that you had thrown the eye, you want it to
accept or no!
Antonia watched it directly to the eyes. Powell never smiled. He was a hard man, to whom
passage of the years had conferred a sarcastic air which it lacked in his youth. It had grown
in the poverty, in a bad social situa-ción by fault of its parents, and there was lucha-do to
arrive much at the place where encon-traba. Antonia knew the difficult thing that it had
resul-tado to him. But its hard life it distorted the vision that it had of the people. One always
paid attention to the side negative, something of which always it had sinned, even during the
time in that they were fiancès. It had loved it its heart yet, had wanted to compensate it by all
its sufri-mientos, but already then was it betraying; it wanted more to Sally, so and as it had
declared when they broke its commitment, when it called prostituta cheap.
Powell put the hands in the pockets of the trousers, irritated.
-- It was remembering how eras before -- she said --. You have not changed. You have
always been solitaire that does not trust anybody, that it always waits for the worse thing of
the people.
In certain occasion I believed in you -- it said with solemnity.
--No, is not certain -- it smiled --. Of it to have done you would not have swallowed the lies of
Sally without...
—¡Damn you are!
Powell it took hold by shoulders. Its cigarette fell to the snow that covered the ground. It was
on the verge of throwing it to the ground without trying it. Antonia was thin and fragile and it
had much force, developed throughout the years in duros tra-bajos of mess orderly.
It watched it and it gave account of which nontapeworm fear of him. Although it did not
understand very well why. Their black eyes shone with fury and its hair, of the same color, fell
on his wide eyebrows.
—¡Sally no it lay!-- it exclaimed --. ¡He is repugnan-te that you say something thus! She was
a charming woman that it never lay to me. It cried when it knew that you had had marcharte
of town after the happened thing. It cried during weeks and weeks, because no it meant to
me what knew on the relation that you maintained with George. No it could support that you
had betrayed to me.
Antonia it moved away of him pushing it, with such force that was surprised.
—¡It deserved to cry!-- it said between teeth.
Powell it insulted. It called puta, once again. But Antonia was limited to smile in that
occasion.
-- Powell, you are stupid idiot. If you return to say something to me therefore I will answer to
you of the same form in which I did that day, in the shutdown of the bus.
Powell the impact of its foot in the leg still remembered. In spite of its annoyance, him it
pleased to remember it. Antonia always had had to carác-ter. Nevertheless, also it
remembered other things. It remembered that one had refused to speak with him after the
death of its mother, when it offered his aid to him. Sally had died time back, but it had not
had the opportunity to approach his old fiancèe stops to know if still it felt something by him.
And it did not seem to want to know nothing of him, to weighing of all along trans-currido.
That removed it from its squares. Never it would leave discovered if still it were left
something of the love that had shared. No it concerned nothing to him.
--Y now, if already you have insulted to me enough, I must march to me -- it added with

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firmness.
-- haberte Could helped when it died your mother -- he continued he --. Not even you wanted
ver-me.
Antonia had impression that its refusal to see was it wounded, by ironic who was.
--No had nothing that to speak with you -- pun-tualizó, without watching it --. Neither my father
nor I needed your aid. From one either another form or you obtained sufficient aid of us to
con-seguir your fortune.
-- What devils you mean with that? Antonia watched it then, smiling with sarcasm.
-- you already have yourself forgotten? In short, if me per-donas...
Powell not it moved. It tightened the fists and it observed it while it entered the vehicle.
Its old one fiancèe started, she gave reverse gear, and she went out main without watching it
at least. To perhaps the hands shook him, but it could not see it.
Powell observed it while it moved away; their boots absorbed the frozen cold of the snow
that surrounded it, while the flakes fell on his tejano hat. It did not have idea of which it had
meant with its last ones words. Him enfu-recía that not even it wanted to speak with him.
They had happened nine years. Nine years acumu-lando frustration and annoyance. It
needed to say that it felt, to discuss with her, to clarify it everything. Que-ría one second
opportunity.
-- Quieres hot chocolate?-- Hayes asked to Horseradish tree from the door.
Powell took seconds in answering.
--No, thanks.
Horseradish tree closed itself dressing gown that took putting.
-- You can to blame it until the day of its death, but that will not change anything -- it
declared.
Powell it observed with a strange expression.
-- Sally no it lay -- it insisted with obstinacy --. It does not matter to me what the others say.
innocent people do not leave running, like hicie-ron they.
The father of Antonia observed its atormen-tados eyes during seconds.
-- Supongo that no you have more option than to think what you say -- it declared with
coldness --. Por-que if no it went thus you would have enfrentarte to a pile of years without
sense. The hatred that you feel by Antonia is only the firm thing that is in your life.
Powell did not say nothing. It walked gotten upset towards its whole land and raised without
returning the Vista back.

Chapter 5
ANTONIA could to return to Tucson without any incident, although in two sections of the
carre-tera there were icy patches that created some problem to him. Very it was altered, but
that nonaffection its tranquillity to the steering wheel. Powell Long had destroyed enough its
life, and was arranged to worry about him neither a minute the more, although hatred
interposed in the relation that maintained.
It happened occupied rest of the vacations, and the day of nochevieja did not see anybody.
A was limited to call to its father to speak with him. Neither it mentioned to its old one
fiancè.
Barrie it visited the first day of January. It took to cattle tenders and a jersey, and tried no to
demonstrate too much interest by the visit that Dawson had done to the house of its father.
He was always equal. Whenever Antonia went to Wyoming, Barrie hoped with patience until
it said something on his stepbrother. Later, it did as if it was not interested and it changed of
con-versación.
But this time it did not do it. It watched at its friend the eyes and asked:
-- It is well?
-- Yes, clear -- it answered --. It has let smoke.
-- Menciono' something on the widow? Antonia smiled and moved the head in negative
gesture.

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--No maintains relations with any woman. In fact, my father calls "the ice man of Bighorn ".
Still they are looking for a woman who can catch it.
-- To Dawson? But if it always has been with all the women whom it has loved.
-- Because I believe that no longer. Apparently, it is only interested in its business. Barrie
seemed surprised.
-- From when?
--No I know it. For years -- it answered, frunciendo frown --. Dawson is your stepbrother.
Your you will know as much as I, it does not seem to you?
Barrie avoided his watched.
--No I see it never. I never go to house.
—Yes, I know it, but I am sure that you hear things on him.
-- Only when you you say to something -- espetó to me --. I... we do not have common
friends.
-- Never you it visits?
Its friend she waned.
--No it would do -- it answered, forcing one son-risa --. It would be possible to be said that
we did not take well. In short, I am going away to dance. You want to come with me?
Antonia denied with the head.
--No. I am too much tired. I will see you in the work.
-- Clear. You have worse aspect than when you left. It is that you have seen Powell?
Antonia vacillated, hurt.
--Oh, I feel -- it continued Barrie --. Listening, you do not say to anything on Dawson although
you to me deny and I swear to you that I will not return to remove to collation to Powell. It
seems to you well? I really feel it. I suppose that both we have too many open wounds. So
long.
Barrie it marched and Antonia found with rapi-dez something in which to take care, not to
think more in its old fiancè.
But it was to him difficult. It had left it the day previous to the wedding, when it had already
sent the invitations, when everything was prepared in the church, when the parish priest it
was arranged to celebrate the ceremony. Antonia had bought a dress precious, with the
economic aid of George; a detail that still got upset more a Powell when it knew it. And then,
suddenly, Sally dropped the pump. Him it said to Powell that man-tenía a relation with
George Rutherford to cam-bio of money. Everybody found out, because Sally was in charge
to propagate calumny by Bighorn. Habladurías was enough to remove from their squares to
man with whom it was going to marry. It left Antonia and it cancelled the wedding. Nor at
least it wanted to remember the terrible things that it had said.
Some of guests did not receive noti-cia of the cancellation on time, and they
presented/displayed in the church hoping that the wedding was carried out. It had to face
them and to tell the happened thing them. They had humiliated it publicly, and to top it all the
scandal involved to the poor man George. It had to leave to Sheridan, to the farm where it
had the power station of its economic empire. Something that it hurt much to him, because
the farm that it had in Bighorn was his preferred. In fact, one had not gone away as much by
him as to avoid to Antonia more sufferings, reason for which decided to leave the country.
But Horseradish tree, his wife and her daughter in any case underwent the terrible situation
that was had created in the conservative and unjust town. As anything it served that it denied
accusations. It could not be defended of the glances of reproach, nor of the scorn.
Habladurías mainly hurt their mother, until the point of which almost it was without friends,
until the point of which it underwent an attack to the heart to the knowledge how they were
treating its daughter. Antonia decided then to leave the town in order to avoid more pain to
its mother. And when going away, a broken heart took with himself.
Perhaps, if wedding had not had to cele-brar itself on the following day, the things would
have finished otherwise. Powell was a man of bad genius, very impulsive. Not him it pleased
that you would levan-taran the voice to him. Antonia knew that it had spoken with three

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people, and who one of them was sacer-dote that had to celebrate the ceremony. Later it
discovered that the three were friends of Sally and its family.
In nobody case, Powell already was acostum-brado to the scandals. His father had been
hardened player who was lost everything what had, except a a woman a the one that
escla-vizaba in the works of the home. In the end sui-cidó by fault of a debt that could not
pay.
Powell had had to observe how the cana-llescas people of the place gave of side his
mother, until the pain and the sadness made that apa-reciera one dead tomorrow.
Antonia it animated as it could. It attended the fune-ral and a single moment did not
separate from him nor. It knew much that had loved its mother. With its death, and although it
tried to hide it, was broken something in its interior. One never recovered of the loss, and
Sally took advantage of the circumstance to try to engatusar it when Antonia not it found
close. In its state, it had paid attention to smooth words that it did not have to escu-char. In
the end it believed to Sally, and one married with her. It never said a Antonia that lands on
water it. Shortly before the wedding, it had begun to obtain con-tratos thanks to the excellent
fame of Horseradish tree, and with the money could recover some of the territories of its
father. Its scaling was beginning towards the success when it cancelled the wedding.
The pain that felt was so terrible as if they had to him nailed a knife. It loved Powell than to
its own life more. Its treason it destroyed. To only it consoled knowledge him that, at least,
had not completed his relation. Although that would have hurt him more to him. In its
blindness, it would have thought that meanwhile it was had been laying down with George. In
any case, it could not change the past. It only could continue. But the future it seemed
blacker still and emptier to him than the past.
It returned to work after days, apa-rentemente recovered and without preoccupations. But
still it had to attend the appointment with the doctor at the end of first week.
It did not hope that it discovered nothing. It was tired and there was lost enough kilos.
Probably it needed vitamins, tablets of iron or something similar. When the doctor he
requested to him that analyses became of blood, went to the laboratory and hoped patiently
mien-tras extracted the sufficient one to him to do prue-bas. More late one left to house,
without suspecting what was going to happen.
Monday by tomorrow it received a call of the consultation of the doctor. They requested to
him that it presented/displayed immediately.
It was too much scared as to pre-guntar by the reason for it tolled urgency. It left its class to
the care of the training unit commander and mar-chó to the office of the doctor Claridge.
It did not have to hope. They caused that it entered as soon as arrived, although did not have
previous appointment. When he saw that he entered his consultation, the doctor rose and
narrowed his hand.
-- Siéntate, Antonia. I have received the results of your analysis of blood. We will have to
make a decision quickly.
-- Quickly?-- it asked, more and more scared --. What type of decision?
Its heart it began to bark more quickly. Ape-nas could breathe, and had frosts the hands.
The doctor he inclined towards ahead.
-- Antonia, us we have been knowing for many years. This is not easy decirte to me. You
have leukemia.
Antonia it watched, overwhelmed. Suddenly, it remembered that the leukemia was a type of
cancer very burden.
-- Voy a to die?-- it guessed right to ask, almost in a whisper.
-- Not -- it answered --. At the moment, the leukemia has treatment in most of the cases.
Ten-drás that to receive treatment of cobalt pump and chemotherapy. With luck, we will
maintain the disease in its present state during years.
Radiation and chemotherapy. Antonia repeated the words mentally. Her aunt had died of
cancer when she was a girl, and remembered with terror the effects that it had had in her
that therapy. Among them, tremendous headaches and nauseas.

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One rose and it said:
--No I know, no I can think now. Doctor Claridge got up itself and I touch his hands with
gentleness.
-- Antonia, leukemia does not mean that you are going to die. We can begin the treatment of
immediate. We will make that many years alive.
Antonia closed the eyes. Been it had worried about the discussion that had maintained with
Powell, by the rage of the past, the cruel-dad of Sally and its own one torment. Now it was
going to die, and no longer it concerned nothing to him.
It was going to die.
-- I want to think it with thoroughness.
-- Of course. But nonafternoons too much in making a decision. In agreement?
Antonia agreed and it thanked to him. Later, it paid to the nurse who was in recep-ción, it
smiled to the young person and it left the consultation. It did everything without realizing to it
it, as in a dream. It lead towards its floor, it closed the door and it was dropped in the
ground, crying.
Leukemia. Like it did not know that the medical advances had turned to the leukemia in one
of more treatable cancers, thought that it was a species of death sentence. No longer it had
futu-ro. It could not spend more Christmases with its father, nor marry and have children.
Everything had finished. When one got tired to cry and it was able to reco-brar itself, it
walked towards the kitchen to prepare a coffee. He was something worldly, ordinary, but at
that moment a so simple act even seemed to have a meaning macabre. It did not know how
many coffee cups more could take before dying. It smiled, making fun of of its
autocondescendencia. That attitude was not going to help it in abso-luto. It had to make a
decision. It did not know if it wanted to prolong his agony, so and as had made its aunt. The
United States was a so slow country and egoistic that did not have social security. It would
have to be spent until the last one currency that it had in the treatment, to go to ruin to itself
and its father without to know at least if in the end it would be successful. And its quality of
life could so be bad like that it had had his aunt.
It had to think it with thoroughness. It not only had to decide what was the best thing for her,
but also what was the best thing for its father. It did not think to embark in so difi-cultoso
treatment if it did not have the certainty that the possibility fitted of which it survived. If on the
contrary it were only able to deceive to the death during months, and of it forms painful,
would have to make very difficult decisions. But it could not to think with clarity. Too much it
was altered like acting with certain common sense. It needed time and tranquillity.
Suddenly, it wished to return to its home. Desire to be with its father, in house. It had
happened everything the life running. And now, the things had changed so much that was
arrived the moment for facing the past, for reconciling with him. to return to the community
that so unjustly had treated it. Still it had time stops to fit certain accounts.
The old doctor of the family, doctor Harris continued having his consultation in Bighorn. It
thought that it could ask to him doctor Claridge who sent the results to him of analysis.
Perhaps with a little luck, it had different ideas about treatment. And if nothing could be
done, it could at least pass the rest of his days with the only family whom still it had left.
As soon as it took the decision, acted of inme-diato. It signed its resignation to since it
occupied in school and said to him to Barrie that his father needed it in house.
--No you said nothing when you returned -- said its friend with distrust.
-- Because it was thinking -- it lay, son-riendo --. He is very single. The moment has arrived
from that it returns and faces me my ghosts. I have been fleeing during too much time.
-- But, what you go to do?
-- Conseguire' work like professor sus-tituta. My father said that two of the professors of
primary they were pregnant and which they do not con-taban with personnel he stops to
replace them. Bighorn is not like Tucson. It is not so easy to find professors that they want to
live in half of no part.
Barrie sighed.

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-- You must have it thought very well.
-- Yes. And you I will miss. But it is possible that you also can return, someday, for
enfrentarte also to your own ghosts.
Its friend she shook.
-- mine they are too great -- it said with an enigmatic smile --. But I will return by you. I can
ayudarte in something?
--, Yes clear. You can to help me to make the suitcases.

Chapter 6
The DESTINY played to its favor. When it was put in contact with the direction of the school
of Bighorn, it knew that one of the professor pregnant was hospitalized and who they
needed desperately to somebody, for gives the quarter classes. It was just what wanted so
that accepted. It cheered knowledge to him that nobody said nothing on the right that it had
been to leave the locality. Perhaps some; they remembered, but it had good friends who did
not believe in the terrible accusations that Sally had extended. Nevertheless, Powell would
be there. And it did not want to think that that fact had affected its decision to return to
house.
It arrived at his native town with emotions con-tradictorias. It would have given any thing to
see the expression of its father when it knew that it was going to return, with the intention of
to remain of permanent form. But culprit felt because she could not say to him which was the
true reason.
-- Now we will be able to pass tiem-po much together -- it said --. In any case, Arizona was a
site too warm for me.
-- Good, if you it pleases the snow, you have come to the suitable place more.
His father smiled and he watched towards the layer of several centimeters of snow that
covered the delan-tero garden.
Antonia happened weekend keeping its things, and began to work following Monday. Him
the director fell very well, a young woman with innovating ideas about education. It
remembered to two of its companions, who had been professors hers in the institute; no
seemed to have nothing against its return.
And of course, it liked the classes. It passed the first day learning the names of students. But
one of them moved it par-ticularmente. Maggie Long. To to observe nom-bre thought that it
could be a coincidence, but when one rose and it saw its blue eyes and its short hair knew
who was. It was looked muchí-simo like his mother, safe by the glance. It had the glance of
its father.
It raised chin and watched the girl. It happened to its side and it walked by the corridor until it
arrived at the writing desk where was Julie Ames. Son-rió, and the girl him it gave back the
smile. It remembered its father, Danny Ames very well, with which it had studied. His
pelirroja daughter was looked much like him. It would have recognized it anywhere.
It removed his notes and superficially watched before opening them the book and beginning
with the class. After awhile, it added with a smile:
-- Quiero that Friday you bring a redac-ción to me of a page in which you speak on
voso-tros same. Of that way, I will be able knows something on you, since I have not had the
opor-tunidad of daros class from the beginning of the course.
Julie raised the hand.
-- Young lady Hayes, the Donalds young lady always ordered to us that one of us was
watching the class when one was not in her. It chose to one different each week. It thinks to
do the same?
-- Creo that is a good idea, Julie. You can encargarte of it the first week -- it said
enchanted.
—¡Thanks, young lady Hayes!-- the girl, excited declared.

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Maggie Long it watched with malicia. It acted as if it hated to Antonia, and during
segun-dos, it was asked if it would know what it had happened in the past. But it was not
possible. It had to be imaginations hers.
The classes him they allowed to be occupied without thinking about nothing else. But when
the end arrived of the day, the terror resurged. And not yet there was habla-do with doctor
Harris.
There was it call by telephone to see it when it returned to house. As far as its father, it had
been limited to say to him with a smile that only needed vitamins.

Nevertheless, doctor of the family preo-cupó enough when he knew the diagnosis his
colleague.
--No you would have to hope -- it said --. He is better to empe-zar as soon as possible with
the treatment. They see here, Antonia.
It examined his neck with expert hands.
—You have lost weight?-- it asked while it took its pulse.
-- Yes. I have been working much.
-- it hurts to You throat? Antonia agreed after doubting. The doctor sighed and said:
-- Enviare' a fax so that they send your medical his-torial to me. There is a good specialist in
onco-logía in Sheridan. But you would have to return to Tucson.
-- Dime to what I must rely.
The doctor it seemed to resist to speak, but she insisted and in the end she had to say it to
it. Antonia lay down backwards in the chair, pale.
-- You can fight against it. You can win to the disease.
-- During how long?
-- Good, some people have been able to live more than twenty-five years.
Antonia entrecerró the eyes and watched it.
-- But you do not create that as much time can live.
--La medical research advances much. The possibility that always exists discover a
treatment that cures the disease in all the cases.
Of all forms, I do not want to make a decision right now. I need more time -- it added with a
smile --. Only a little time. The doctor observed it as if he was hacien-do concerted efforts
not to discuss with her.
Of agreement. You I will give days, but you vigi-laré. It can that when you have considered
options, you animate yourself to initiate the treatment. In such case, I will do everything what
can. But I assure to you that the medical miracles do not exist, and much less in relative to
the cancer. If you are arranged to fight, you do not wait for too much.
--No I will do it.
Antonia it narrowed his hand and it left con-sulta. One felt much more peacefully with himself
same of which there was been in long time. Empe-zaba to accept its state and was more
fort than before. It could face which had to do, and it cheered of to have returned. The
des-tino had given a few blows him low, but in his home it could face all it. It only had to
begin to think that now that it was in house, the luck would be less aloof to him.
If the destiny it had been some right to take it of return to Bighorn, Maggie Long no she was
one of them. The young one was rebellious and proble-mática, and refused to make its
duties.
At the end of week, forced it to remain after class to teach the zero to him that was removed
in the language examination. And to top it all, not even it was had bothered in making the
writing that had requested to him.
--Si you want to repeat quarter you have begun very well, Maggie -- it said with coldness --.
You must know that you will not approve if nonbeams your duties.
--La young lady Donalds was not as bad as you -- espetó girl --. It did not force to us to do
stupid writings, and if there were some examination, always helped a me to study it.

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-- Tengo thirty and five students in class. And I suppose that if you are in her it is because
you are able to make your work.
-- It could if it wanted. But I do not want. ¡And it will not force to me to do it!
-- I can suspenderte -- it continued, with calm --. And I will do it if you persist in that attitude. I
give you the opportunity to escape to another zero if beams the writing during the aim of
week and you bring Monday.
--Mi father it comes today to house -- it said with arrogance --. I will say to him that she has
been bad with me and it will come stops to put it in its site. I make sure it.
-- and what you create that it will say when sees that nonbeams your duties, Maggie?
—¡I am not no vague one!
In such case, hazlos.
-- Julie either it answered all the questions of the examination, and it did not put a zero to
him.
-- Julie is not as fast as other students, and that is something that I have in consideration.
-- Julie is fitted -- it accused --. For that reason it treats it so well. ¡Surely that would not have
put to him a zero if it had not made its duties!
-- That does not have nothing that to see with your capacity, and I do not think to discuss on
it. You do your duties or it attempts the consequences. Already you can mar-charte to
house.
Maggie watched it, furious. It took its books and way towards the exit, but one stopped in
door.
—¡Hope that is said it to my father! ¡It will do that they dismiss it!
Antonia was nauseated an eyebrow.
--No I believe that your father makes such thing, Maggie.
The girl opened the door.
—¡Hatred! Hopefully ex-clamó had not come --.
The girl left running corridor down and Anto-nia one lay down backwards in his armchair. It
breathed deeply. That student was insoporta-ble. It surprised to him that outside so different
from its mother. Sally, to its age, was a encan-tadora and friendly girl, nothing
bad-mannered, far from it difficult.
Sally. simple name hurt to him. It had gone to exorcise its ghosts there, but not it esta-ba
obtaining. Its old friend still conse-guía to ruin its life. But it thought that if Powell took part, it
would obtain that to his daughter hicie-ra at least duties. It hated to have to arrive at that
point, but it had not imagined what it was going to feel if one were with the daughter of Long
in class. Unfortunately, no apre-cio by her could feel no. .In fact, it was asked if somebody it
would appreciate. She was a mimada and suffered girl.
It supposed that Powell gave everything him what requested. And nevertheless, it arrived at
the school in bus and it dressed in worn away and dirty cattle tenders and jerseys. Perhaps
its father not it he knew. Perhaps one appeared dirty to call the attention, por-que was safe
that they would have a master of keys or somebody that was in charge of that type of things.
It knew that Maggie had remained with Julie during the week, because the other girl it had
said. Small pelirroja was the girl more charming than it had known in all its life, and it adored
it. It was the alive image of its father, who it had comprised of the group of friends of Antonia
during its youth in Bighorn. In certain occasion, it had been comen-tado and the girl was
glad much of it. Knowledge that their father and his professor had been friends was proud
it.
Nevertheless, a Maggie did not do so much to him gra-cia. During the previous day it had
not directed word to its companion, and seemed arranged to maintain that attitude. Antonia
it was asked for the relation that maintained. Julie was gene-rosa, compasiva and amiable,
all the opposite who the daughter of Powell. It was probable that the girl saw those qualities
in Julie, qualities that it did not have. But it did not have idea of that Julie could see in
Maggie.
Chapter 7

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POWELL LONG it returned to quite can-sado house. It finished finishing a trip of businesses
after visiting three farms in less than one week, and it had passed many hours raised an
airplane. One was to buy more head of cattle. It had had occasion to see the animals in
video, so and as did sometimes if it knew owner, but in that opportunity preferred to verify
the state personally of the cattle, because he had the impression that the head of cattle of
one of the farms they corresponded to another proprietor. In fact, it discovered that the
ani-males were badly fed and that some not even counted on the minimum quality
demanded.
Nevertheless, had been a quite beneficial trip. It had saved several thousands of dollars by
the simple procedure of visited the mess orderlies in person. Now it was in house again, but
it did not desire too much to him. That house, to the equal one that her late wife, caused too
many painful memories to him. It was place where it had lived with Sally, where still her
daughter lived. It could not watch a Maggie without seeing its mother. It bought expensive
toys to him, everything what wished, but it could not give love him. It could not remove love
from a marriage so des-graciado. Because of Sally, it had had to resign which it loved more
in the world: Antonia.
When it entered the hall discovered that her daughter was seated single, with a book. It
raised watched when seeing it, but it separated it immediately.
-- you have brought to Me something?-- it asked. It always did. It was a way to demos-trar to
him that it was important for him, but the girl knew her feelings. Not even it knew which were
their pleasures; otherwise, it would not have taken ositos to him of peluche and wrists. It
liked much to read, but his father had not noticed it. Also him they pleased documentary on
the nature and natural sciences. But it never gave something to him related to those
subjects. It did not know how it was.
—I have brought to you a new wrist. It is in my suitcase.
-- Thanks -- it said.
It never smiled, nor it laughed. It was like a small woman in the body of a girl, and when it
watched, made him feel guilty.
-- Where it is Mrs. Bates?-- discomfort asked.
In the kitchen, preparing the food.
-- What so has to you gone in the school?
La young closed the book.
-- Tenemos one new professor who arrived the last week. Odd habit has taken me, and it
does to me impossible life.
Powell was nauseated the eyebrows.
-- Why?
It shrank of shoulders.
--No I know it. It treats well to all the other alum-nos. But it watches to me all along. It put to
me zero in the examination and now are going to put another zero to me by the duties. I says
that he is going to suspend and that I am going to have to repeat quarter.
Powell it surprised. Maggie always had removed good notes. She was a very inte-ligente
girl, although their badly humor and its nature introvert gained enemies to him. It did not have
nin-guna intimate friend, except for Julie. In fact, the week happened had left it remained in
house of the parents of the girl, who were encan-tados of to remain with her when it could
not be in the town.
-- What you do here, instead of being with Julie?-- it asked suddenly.
-- Dije to his parents whom it loved to return por-que today you arrived from trip and you
always bring to me gifts.
--Ah.
Its daughter no it commented that the friendship of Julie with professor Hayes had cooled
enough its relation, and that that same morning had discussed. Fortunately, Mrs. Bates was
working in the mansion, so that she had been able to return to the farm.
--A the new one professor it likes Julie, but to me it hates to me. It says that I am vague and

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stupid.
-- it has said that?
It was the first time that Powell reacted of that way, as if truely she mattered to him that her
daughter could not fall well to somebody. Maggie watched its black eyes and noticed that it
was gotten upset. His father intimidated it, something nothing strange considering that
inti-midaba to everybody. In fact, they looked like enough. Also it was introvert, of badly
sarcastic genius and modales that they manifesta-ban whenever somebody irritated it. With
the passage of the years, girl had discovered that she could use his father to intimidate to
others.
In the town, Powell was a legend. Most of their professors had yielded to all its whims not to
have to enfren-tar itself with him. Maggie learned immediately that it did not need to study to
remove good notes; she was a shining girl, but it was not bothered in inten-tar it, because
the mention of its father was enough stops to fix any problem. It smiled when pen-sar that
also it could use it in the case of the young lady Hayes.
-- Dice that I am vague and stupid -- it repeated.
-- How it is called your professor?-- it asked with coldness.
--La young lady Hayes. Powell watched it, overwhelmed.
-- Antonia Hayes?-- it asked.
--No I know his christian name. It replaces the Donalds young lady. The Donalds young lady
was friend mine. I miss it.
-- When it arrived that woman?-- it asked.
It surprised to him not to have known anything of its return to Bighorn. Although on the other
hand it had state was one week.
--Ya you there am it said. The last week. It said that it had lived here in the past -- declared,
observing it --. It is truth, papa?
-- Yes, it is certain. Very well, we will see how your professor behaves when she must
enfren-tar a another adult.
It offed-hook telephone and called immediately to the director of the school of primary
education of Bighorn.
The lady Jameson was surprised when hearing the voice of Powell Long to the other side of
the apparatus. Until then it had never interfered in the subjects of the school, although
Maggie had problems with other students.
--Me it would please to know how it is possible that they per-mitan that a professor insults a
girl, lla-mando it vague and stupid -- she demanded.
-- How it says?-- the director, sor-prendida asked.
-- Maggie finishes to say to me to the young lady Hayes it said to him that she was vague
and stupid. I want that it speaks with that professor, and very in serious. Gus-taría not to
have to me to go i myself. It is clear?
The lady Jameson knew Powell Long, and it scared so much that was in agreement in to
speak with Antonia Monday.
And in fact it did, although grudgingly.
-- Recibi' one call of the father of Maggie Long Friday, shortly after which you you marched --
director --. informed to him I have not thought ot even for a moment that you
deliberada-mente insulted that girl. I know that all the professors very well they have had
problems with Maggie, except the Donalds young lady. But Long no it had never taken part.
It surprises to me enough that now has intention of to do it. And, of course, they surprise the
accusations to me of the girl.
--Yo I did not call it stupid -- espetó Antonia with tranquillity, sitting to the other end of
writing-desk --. I said to him that if refuses to make the duties and to answer questions of the
examinations I will have to suspend it. I do not have by custom to approve to the students
without a minimum effort on the other hand, and nonacceptance favoritisms with them.
-- I am safe of that. Your file in Tucson is intachable. Until I spoke with your old one director,
who really seemed disappointed by haberte lost. It spoke very well about your intelligence

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and of your competition.
--Me it cheers to know it. But in any case, I do not know what to do with Maggie. It is evident
that not me it swallows. I feel much, but I do not see how I can obtain that it changes of
opinion. Hopefully it collaborated as much as its Julie friend. To dife-rencia hers, she is one
magnificent student.
-- Everybody it wants to Julie -- it declared director --. In any case, you do not bother yourself
if you I make certain question. You will not be settling old debts with the girl, of way
unconscious? I know that you were it jeopardize with its father in certain occasion. Ten in
account that this one is a very small town and everything it is known. And also I know that his
mother betrayed to you and who dedicated itself to count terrible lies on you.
-- Certain people still think that their difama-ciones were certain. In fact, my mother died by
the pressure that exerted on her most of the members of community.
--Lo I feel much. It did not know it.
-- Sufri'a of heart. I had to march me the town to end habladurías, but one never recovered --
it said, delivering an attack to smile --. He was innocent of all the acusa-ciones, but I paid a
highest price.
The doctor seemed deeply emocio-nada.
-- Perdóname, Antonia. I did not have to remove the subject.
opposite --Al. You have done well. You had dere-cho to knowing if it were persecuting
deliberately to a student. Scorn to Sally reason why did to me, and I assure to you that I feel
something very seemed by Powell. But I am not so bad per-sona as to do to pay to the girl
by the faults of its parents. It would never allow that it suffered by something that has not
done.
--Lo I know. Without embargo, is a com-prometida situation. Mr. Long has much influence in
the community. He is rich, and its badly character is legendary. It does not worry to him in
absolute to give a public spectacle, and it has threatened coming personally if I do not solve
the situation -- it laughed with nervousness --. Antonia, I have forty and five years. I have
worked to arrive much at this position, and it would be to me very difficult to find a another
job if it lost it. In case outside little, I must take care of of an invalid husband and of a son
who is studying in the university. I request to you that you do not put in danger my use.
-- Never it would do -- it promised --. It would prefer to resign to the position before seeing
that a person innocent it pays the consequences of my actions. But Mr. Long is mistaken
with respect to the form in which treatment to Maggie. In fact, he is an interminable one
source of problems. Nie-ga to become the work, and knows that I cannot obli-gar it to do it
by the force.
Certain --Es, it knows. Excursion to request aid to its father, and I do not doubt that one
would appear here and it would speak with the administration advice of the school. I believe
that one of members must money to him, and other three have panic to him -- it commented,
clarifying itself throat --. In fact, if there am to be sincere, I also am scared of him.
-- Observo that in this place does not exist liber-tad of expression.
--Si hits its interests, no. He is a damn tyrant. Although I suppose that we cannot cul-par it to
be interested in its daughter.
--No, clear.
Antonia it sighed. Nevertheless, that subject did not worry to him in excess. It had his own
preoccupations, and much more serious. It did not fear to Powell Long. It feared to his
disease.
-- You will try to solve the subject of Maggie?-- the director asked.
-- Of course that yes -- it smiled --. But if on himself not to solve the problem, I can count on
your aid?
—Yes, if I can ayudarte in something -- it emphasized --. But I doubt that Maggie wants to
cooperate. And both we know that we have much to lose if his father is not contented.
-- Pretendes that it approves it thus as well as? You try that it approves it without to have
studied nothing, only because his father can get upset?

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The director ruborizó.
--No I can pedirte that you do something thus. One assumes that we educated to the
children without no favoritism.
-- That thought.
--E I imagine that you will be wondering yourself if I would do it. Then yes, it would approve it.
I am scared of to lose my work. And when you arrive at my age, you also will be scared of to
lose it.
Antonia watched it with deep sadness. The director assumed an immoral position and
indig-na in a person who occupied her position; the cowardice did not have anything to do
with age. But in any case, never proble-ma would have that. It was probable that never it got
to turn its years. It thanked to Mrs. Jameson and returned to class, depressed and
disappointed.
Maggie it observed while one seated in his writing-desk and it began to give the class of
language.
It did not seem to be very contented. It supposed that his father would have put it in his site
and smiled, vic-toriosa. It did not think to make the duties, nor to con-testar to the questions
of examination. And when sus-pendiera, his father would appear in the school, because he
would never doubt the word of his daughter. Hayes would throw to the young lady. With little
of luck, the Donalds young lady would return when she had his boy and everything she would
return to normality.
It watched Julie, that it did not do case to him. She was fed up with her. The life went doing
ball to the young lady Hayes. No longer it knew if it displeased to him plus the professor or
girl who had been her friend.
Before the class finished, obtained another small triumph. The young lady Hayes granted to
him of term until Friday so that she gave the duties.
The week it passed with extreme lenti-tud, but to the aim that the day in which arrived
Antonia requested the duties that had put at the beginning of week. And Maggie no it gave
his.
-- Tendre' ponerte a zero if you do not bring this same afternoon, including the writing.
Antonia hoped not to have to face with the unbearable creature. But his hopes did not serve
as much. It had tried to do all the possible one stops to deal with it like a the rest the
students, but the girl seemed arranged a to look for the tickle to him.
--No I will do -- it insisted, smiling --. If me sus-pende I will say it to my father and will come.
Antonia observed it with certain irony.
-- It is that you create that I am scared of him?
-- Everybody it is scared of him -- it answered proud.
-- Because I not -- it said with coldness --. Your father can come when he wants, but I will say
to him same that I am saying to you to you. If nonbeams the duties, you will not approve. And
point.
-- Ah, yes?
Antonia it agreed.
-- Yes. Like you will have occasion to discover if you have not brought them before they
finish classes of afternoon -- it concluded.
—¡Ja!
Antonia no it had intention to discuss with the girl. But when at the end of the Maggie day no
it gave its duties to him, did not have another option that to put a zero to him. It gave him
notes and said:
-- Haz the favor to give them to your father. Maggie took them and smiled. Later one went
towards the door without to say a single word. The young lady Hayes did not know that his
father was going to reco-ger it when coming out of the school. But it was on the verge of
discovering it.
Chapter 8
ANTONIA had that to finish several subjects before leaving to house. The girl did not doubt

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that she would complain to his father, so and as she had threatened. But it did not worry to
him in absolute. It did not have anything to lose. Not even him impor-taba to lose its position
of work. No per-sona that had a minimum of dignity would have left to extort by a girl of nine
years.
Hardly they had passed minutes des-de that finished the class, when it heard passages in
runner. Only they were left a few pro-fesores in the building, but those steps were strong and
powerful. It knew very well to whom they belonged.
One occurred return at the precise moment in that the door was opened. A discharge and
relative figure entered the classroom, with shining and dark eyes like the death.
Powell not it bothered in greeting it, nor in taking off the tejano hat. It wore a suit very
expensive and dull of good material. It seemed that the things went to him well. But eyes of
Antonia saw a very different man, to a young solitaire that no it fitted nowhere, and that
dreamed about leaving the poverty. Sometimes image remembered aque-lla and it loved it
in dreams with a captivating passion.
--Te it was hoping -- it said, returning to present --. Your daughter has suspended, and is
deserved it. I gave all one week him so that it brought debe-res and it has not done it.
--Ah, yes, now you try to convince to me that you do not have other reasons. I know why you
very well you put with my daughter, and I want that you let moles-tar it. You are here for
teaching. So that you do not pay your frustrations with her.
Antonia was sitting in the writing-desk. It passed the hands through the board of the table
and it watched it with tranquillity.
--Tu daughter a goes to suspend the course. It does not participate in the classes, it does
not make the duties, and one refuses to answer the examinations. Frankly, me sor-prende
that has not repeated no course -- it smiled with coldness --. Although, according to the
director has said to me, that also she fears to you, you have the sufficient influence like
dismissing cual-quiera that she does not approve it.
Powell watched it, surprised.
--No would use never my power for something thus. She is a very intelligent girl.
Antonia opened the drawer of the writing-desk and removed the last examination from
Maggie.
-- Of truth?-- it asked.
Long walked towards the platform and it took exa-men. It observed it and later it watched
Antonia with firmness.
-- It is in target.
It agreed and she gathered the examination again.
In effect. it seated with the crossed arms, smiling all along, and it did not move a muscle in
thirty minutes.
-- it was never had tolerated that way.
--No I can to know it. I am new here.
-- But it is evident that my daughter does not fall to you well.
Antonia maintained its cold one watched.
-- Crees of truth that I have returned to Wyoming to take revenge to me of Sally in the person
of his daughter?-- it asked, although it disliked to him to plan-tear the things in those terms.
Nevertheless, no it had another option. Maggie was absolutely unbearable.
Of its daughter and of my daughter -- it emphasized, as if it knew much that it hurt to him to
remember.
-- Of course. She is daughter of both.
Powell agreed slowly.
Of way that that is what it happens. You hate it because it is looked like Sally.
-- Of course, it is its alive image.
--Y you follow hating it after all these years.
Antonia tightened the fists, without separating the glance.
-- We are speaking of your daughter.

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--Ni at least you it pleases to pronounce his name -- espetó, leaning in writing-desk --.
Supo-ne that the professors must be impartial, who must teach all the same,
independien-temente of which they feel by the students.
Certain --Es.
-- Because you are transgressing your deontológico code -- it continued, smiling with
hardness --. It leaves it says something to you, Antonia. You have returned to your house, but
you are in my town. half of the locality is mine, and I know all the members of the direction. If
you want to continue working here, it will be better than you maintain an attitude impartial
with all the students.
-- Mainly in the relative thing to your daughter, I suppose.
--Ya I see that you include/understand.
--No I will treat it of unjust form, but not ten-dré no favoritism towards her -- it said, in
idén-tico frozen tone --. It will not pass any that does not deserve to approve. And if you want
to despe-dir to me, ahead.
-- Damn it is, I do not want that they dismiss to you -- it said --. suddenly It does not matter to
me that alive with your father; not even they concern the reasons to me that you have had to
return. But I will not allow that you persecute my daughter by whom has not done. He is not
guilty of what happened in the past. It does not have anything to do.
-- Nothing?-- it asked, ironic --. Sally was pregnant of her when you married, and in fact was
born seven months after the wedding. You were lying down with her while me you swore
eternal love to me.
That declaration hurt to him more than what could happen to its leukemia. But it was certain.
Sally already was pregnant when it married with Powell.
Its old one fiancè breathed and cla-vó deeply the eyes in her, furious, as if he wanted to
throw something at the top to him. Antonia separated the glance for the first time, while one
clung with force to the writing-desk. But when occurring account of it it relaxed muscles so
that it did not notice his tension.
--Lo I feel. No I had to say something thus -- it continued after seconds of silence --. It did not
have dere-cho. Your marriage is subject yours, like your daughter. And I assure to you that I
am not being unjust with her. But I hope that it works like the rest of the students. If it does not
do it, will suspend.
Powell it separated from the table and it put the hands in the pockets. Then it watched it and
it said, of enigmatic form:
-- Maggie already has paid a very high price by all that, although you do not know it.
Nevertheless, no I will allow that you hurt it.
-- Pienses which think on me, I do not have by custom to solve my problems persona-les
making pay to the innocents.
-- Now you have twenty-seven years -- he said, sor-prendiendo it --. Still you follow
unmarried. You do not have children.
-- Yes, it is certain -- it smiled.
-- and you do not have intention to find to anybody? You do not have intention of labrarte a
future?
--Ya I am it doing.
Immediately, its fear resurged to die. Perhaps it did not have any future, absolutely.
-- Really? Your father will die one of these days, and you will remain single.
--He been single long time -- it declared with more tranquillity of the one than it felt --. And a
is learned to live with the solitude.
Powell did not say nothing during seconds.
-- Why you have returned?-- it asked in very low voice.
-- By my father.
-- Every day is better. It does not need to you.
Antonia raised the glance and observed it. Once again it saw the sensual mouth and the
dark eyes of young that it had loved.

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-- But I it needed to somebody.
Powell laughed of strange way.
--No you watch to me of that way, Antonia. I can which you need to, but no. And much less to
you.
Before it could say nothing, his old fiancè left the classroom and he moved away so quickly
since it had appeared.
Maggie was waiting for in the door when his father arrived at the house. It had taken it to
mansion before leaving to speak with Antonia.
-- you have spoken with her? You have obtained that they dismiss it?-- it asked excited --. ¡It
knew that you would demonstrate who is the head here!
Powell observed it with entrecerrados eyes. It had not demonstrated a similar enthusiasm in
many years.
-- What has of your duties?
The girl she shrank of shoulders.
-- They are stupid. It wanted that we wrote a writing on we ourself, who resol-viera problems
and that answered pre-guntas of a language examination.
-- Quieres to say that you did not do it?
-- Good, I suppose that you will already have said to him that I do not have why to do it,
right?
Powell threw the hat in the small table of the recibidor and watched it gotten upset.
-- Hiciste your duties or no?
--No. They were ridiculous situations, already you I have said it.
—¡Damn it is! You have lain.
The girl she backed down. It did not like anything the glance of its father. It scared it and it
did to him to feel guilty. It did not lie of systematic form, but that was different. The young lady
Hayes had hurt it and wanted to take revenge itself of her.
--A to start off of now you will make your duties, understood?-- it asked, irritated --. And the
next time that have an examination, you will not remain with the crossed arms, without doing
nothing. It is clear?
Maggie tightened the lips.
-- Yes, papa.
-- God mine -- it said he, furious --. You are exacta-mente just as your mother, right? Then,
this it has finished. I do not want that you return to lie to me. Never.
-- But papa, if I never lie.
Powell not it it listened. One separated from her and one moved away. Maggie observed it
with tears in eyes, tightening the fists. It had said that it was like its mother, just like Mrs.
Bates said once in a while. He knew that his father was not enamored of her mother, and
who her mother emborrachaba and cried itself for that reason. The master of keys had
commented in certain occasion that Sally had lain and that Powell it hated it for that reason.
Quickly, it reached the conclusion that also it would hate her if she lay. So that it ran in its
search.
—¡Papa!-- it exclaimed
-- What?
—¡She is that I not him taste!
-- you have tried to cooperate with her?-- pregun-tó with coldness.
The girl she shrank of shoulders and she separated the glance so that she could not notice
his tears. She was customary to hide its sentimien-tos, in that cold and empty one mansion.
It walked towards the stairs and it raised its dormitory without saying nothing.
Its father he observed with certain sensation of impotence. Maggie had used it so that he
attacked his professor, and it had fallen in the trap. It had run to the school in order to send
all type of accusations against a ino-cente person. There was it manipulated to take
revenge itself of her, and he was in favor furious of to have been so stupid. It supposed that
it could not it have made of not have been because in fact no it knew its daughter. It

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happened very just a short time to its side, as little as it could, by the simple reason that him
recor-daba to its mother.
A was promised itself that the following time would analyze the facts before attacking no
professor. In any case, it did not feel what it had said to Antonia. Almost it cheered, because
with a little luck, its strategy would have desired effect and it would take care of much to hurt
very premeditadedly to Maggie. It knew very well what felt by Sally. Its resentment showed in
each one of its gestures.
It was asked why it would have returned. Throughout the years almost it had obtained to
forget her. Although in the end, it had been going to speak with its father because solitude
was destroying and wanted to know it something, any thing, on his life. In fact, it was
surprised itself thinking if still the possibility would fit of that the magic appeared again that
had shared in the past.
It was like it was, Antonia had been encar-gado to destroy any hope to respect. Its attitude
was cold and distant. It seemed to have transformed into iceberg during the years that had
happened far from Bighorn.
Nevertheless, no it could blame it. All the misfortunes of Antonia fell on their backs. He she
was the culprit, by so being des-confiado, by to have arrived a ace-leradas conclusions and
by not to have believed in the sincerity and innocence of its old fiancèe. An impulsive
decision him had cost everything what there was wanted. Sometimes, it was wondered how
it could have been so stupid.
Sometimes like that one. It had allowed that her daughter manipulated it to obtain that it
attacked Antonia by which it had not done. Like in the past. The daughter of Sally
demonstrated great aptitudes like manipulator, although it only had nine years. And it
seemed that it continued being so impulsive and stupid idiot as of costum-bre. It had not
changed absolutely. He was only richer.
Meanwhile, it was the subject of the return of Antonia, and the one of its disquieting thinness
and pallor. It did not seem to be well. During a moment, it was asked if no it would have
some disease, and if, in such case, the true one would not be that one reason for its return.
But it rejected the option immediately. Any doctor him he would have recommended a
calmer climate for most of diseases. No doctor would have sent it to the north of Wypming in
the heat of winter.
In any case, it did not have answers. Irri-tado, was said that it did not have sense to think
about it, because it would not arrive nowhere. The past he was dead. And it was better than
it let be, if it did not want once again that it returned to destroy its life.

Chapter 9
WHEN Powell one left the classroom, Anto-nia remained in his site during minutes,
watching the hands. Was evi-dente that did not want it. But perhaps, of it forms unconscious,
she had waited for the opposite. Now it was clear that those vain esperan-zas did not have
any sense.
One rose, it cleaned the writing-desk, it gathered its things and it returned to house. It did not
have time stops to autocompadecer itself, although outside silen-ciosa form. It had to take
advantage of days that que-daban to him. It had to make a decision.
While it prepared the supper, as much for her as for its father, it thought about everything
what it wanted to do and in everything what it could not do by lack of time. Always it had
dreamed about traveling, des-de very small, and with participating more in subjects of the
community. Unfortunately, it had passed almost all its life doing plans to very short term, like
preparing the lessons of the following day. When the things well always went had the
impression that it was had all time of the world. But it had crossed an imaginary line and it
was more close of the end that of the principle.
Of between all the things of which arre-pentía, emphasized the happened thing with Powell.
One lay down backwards and it was wondered what would have suce-dido if instead of

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leaving running one had faced him; if instead of fleeing it had challenged to Sally to prove its
infundadas and unjust acu-saciones. But it was eighteen years old, and only it was
ingenuous and soñadora. It did not have the hardness nor templanza sufficient like stops to
face Sally in its own land and to defeat it. He was not distrustful, and it would never have
thought that her better friend could betray it of that way, sticking a stab to him by the back.
She had been a stupid one when not occurring he tells that the best friends also could be the
worse enemies; they knew all the weaknesses a person.
And the greater one of their weaknesses had been the love that felt by Powell, a love that
seemed invincible, as if nothing could separate them. No it had counted with the dramatic
ability of Sally.
On the other hand, Powell never had said to him that it lands on water it. Was stranger who
not hubie-ra dice counts of it until its separation. Powell always had demonstrated passion
by her, but never outside control. Something that was not strange to him having in it counts
what it was had been laying down with its better friend. Not com-prendía why it would have
wanted to lie down with another one if it were enamored with her.
Nevertheless, proposal of marriage had left from him. The parents of Antonia were very
respected in the community, unlike its parents. It enchanted to tell to him on its support
between people, and spent as much time with Ben and Jessica like with her same. When it
spoke on its plans to raise a cattle farm and to recover the fortune of its father, always was
Horseradish tree that gave advice him or him it opened doors to obtain credits. The past
knowing player whom it had its father, nobody would have apo-yado to Powell; nobody
would have trusted him. But the father of Antonia was a very different endorsement. He was
an honest man without no cono-cido vice.
Antonia no a as ambitious man suspected that as Powell could be looking for something
more in its relation that the simple love. But now, when it analyzed the past, it gave account
of which it had requested its hand because it agreed to him. It did not love it. Only it wanted
to count on the influences of its father. And thanks to them, it had raised to a farm and a
mul-timillonario earth empire and cattle. Even the possibility that fitted the rupture of its
commitment had been premeditaded. Perhaps it comprised of a plan. As soon as it had
obtained necessary financial support, could marry with the woman whom really it loved:
Sally.
When it knew that her wife had worked elbow with elbow with him to help it to obtain his
objectives were not surprised. The only stranger was that everybody said that no they had
been happy.
It did not understand how it had been able to ignore those questions during the passed
years. It considered that perhaps apasionamien-to with which lived had blinded it. But in any
case, him it seemed something vain and unreal. Powell was passed water, and it did not
have to give returns to happened. Of some way, one would fix them to forget and to pardon.
She would be one pain to take to as much resen-timiento and hatred to the tomb.
The tomb. It watched the casserole in which it was preparing the supper. It had been
happened never to him to think where it would like that they buried it. It had an insurance that
would cover almost all the expenses. It had always thought that it would rest next to its
mother, about small cemetery that was next to the church. Now it would have to be in charge
of all the details, in case the treatment did not give result, in the case of that it chose by him.
But it had to find a way to avoid that his found out father. Would not be said it while it could
avoid it.
As soon as the supper finished, called to Horseradish tree so that it seated to the table. It
was careful of to speak on trivial things, and tried to demonstrate feli-cidad to be again in
house.
But no it was able to deceive it. His father observed it with intensity and said:
-- Something you it worries. What one is?
Of Maggie Long -- it lay.
--Ya I see. I suppose that it is like its father to its age. Unbearable.

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-- Only with me. According to it seems, took well with the Donalds young lady.
--No me strange -- it commented, while termi-naba its coffee --. The Donalds young lady is
prime hers. Mimaba, had favoritisms with her and made any thing by to help it, except for
con-testar the questions of its examinations. Maggie was the typical one connected girl. It
was the first time that a professor dealed with it that way, so one was due to raise to him at
the top.

-- How you know?
-- Vives in small town, daughter -- him recor-dó, laughing --. I know everything what happens
here. Until I know that Powell visited to you late this in the school. I imagine that it would
make you happen badly short while with the subject of Maggie, right?
Antonia was put tense.
--Yo I do not have favoritisms with anybody. And it does not matter to me that it is able to
dismiss to me.
-- Dudo that it can to do it -- it declared with tran-quilidad --. I also have friends in the
meeting director.
-- Perhaps they could change to the girl to another class.
--No, that only it would serve to feed habladurías -- it said to Horseradish tree Hayes --. And
already there are teni-do enough. It follows with your work and you do not yield. Later or
more early, that girl mimada it will yield.
--Yo it would not be so safe -- it declared, pasán-dose a hand by its blond hair --. I am tired.
It matters to you if I go away to bed to sleep?
-- Of course that not -- it answered, preocupa-do --. I thought that you had been going to see
the doctor. Not you prescribed nothing for animarte?
-- Dijo that it needed vitamins -- it lay --. again And I bought them, but they will take certain
tiem-po in making effect. Also it said that it had to eat more.
-- Then if not you you put very soon, it will be better than you return to its consultation and you
request to him that you exa-mine thoroughly -- it said, without believing it --. absolutely It is
not normal that a girl of your age is tired all along.
Antonia felt a pressure in the chest. Obvia-mente was not nothing normal, but it did not want
that it knew the nature its disease.
--Lo I will do -- him it assured, while one rose to gather plates --. I will be in charge to lim-piar
it everything and soon I will leave you with your television.
--Oh, hatred television. I prefer to read by the nights. Only I ignite it to listen to something of
background noise.
Her daughter laughed.
--Yo it did same in Tucson -- it confessed --. It makes sentirte accompanied.
-- Certain, but I prefer to be with you. I am glad much of which you have returned to house.
No longer me I feel so single.
Antonia felt a deep anguish. His father was lost his wife and now a went to lose her. It was
wondered how one would fix them single in the world, without no relative. It was unique
daughter, and the only sister of her father had died of cancer years back. The lip bit. The
danger ran to lose its daughter and dema-siado cowardly like saying it to it was.
Horseradish tree gave one him light tap in the shoulder.
--No you bother yourself in mopping. Acuéstate soon. I will be in charge later of everything.
--No matters to me to do it -- it protested, sonrien-do --. I will see you tomorrow morning.
-- Good, but no you wake up to me when you leave -- it said while one moved away --. I think
to acos-tar itself late.
-- You are juerguista.
His father laughed and he solo left it with plates.
When it finished to mop one went to the bed, but one did not fall asleep immediately. It
remained it wakes up, remembering the dry expression of Maggie Long, its full hatreds of

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hatred and the intense and enemy glance of Powell. To both they would have liked that it
returned to Arizona, and seemed deci-didos to make a hell of its stay in Bighorn. The rest of
the course was going to be very pro-blemático. If Maggie it continued refusing to make his
duties, his father would appear to dia-rio in order to complain.
It raised the eyes to the sky and it sighed. The things were had gradually complicated since
it had eighteen years. It closed the eyes, hurt. It had wished to marry and to have children. Of
fact, Maggie would have been its daughter, with blond hair and perhaps gray eyes, as she
herself. And from to have been hers, it would have received love, understanding and
support. No it would have had that glance of hatred, nor that unfortunate expression.
It remembered that Powell had said something strange with respect to Maggie. Something
that did not understand very well. Apparently, a price higher had paid than all of them.
Nevertheless, she was sure that his father wanted it; at least, it had fought by her with all its
forces.
But, finally, it decided that it was not problem his. And it was not arranged to leave outside.
Still it had to decide what to do with respect to the leukemia.
Julie was more beautiful than it had in the life of Antonia. The young one was charming,
likeable and candy, and did the possible thing to facilitate the classes to him. It remembered
where there was left to the things the Donalds young lady and what lessons had occurred
already. Always it was arranged to do what they requested to him.
As far as Maggie, followed with the same attitude of always. It did not do anything of form
volunteer. It continued refusing to make the duties, and it did not serve as anything to speak
to him with her. It was limited to watch it with scorn.
--Te I will give one opportunity more -- Anto-nia said to him, at the end of second week --.
But if no you all bring the duties the next Monday, sus-penderás again.
The girl smiled with revolt.
--Y my father he will come again to put it in his site. I will say to him that it has beaten to me.
The gray eyes of Antonia they nailed in her.
-- You would be able to make it, right?-- it asked with coldness --. I do not doubt your
capacity stops to lie, Maggie. Very well, hazlo if you want. To see how much damage you
are able of to do.
The reaction of the girl was unexpected. Their eyes filled of tears and it shook.
Second pluses late, it left running cla-se. Antonia remained in the classroom, sad and gotten
depressed by her. One clung to the writing-desk, recriminating itself its attitude being so
cold with the small one.
It cleaned everything to it, hoping that Powell pre-sentara again. But it was not thus. It
returned to house and it apparently passed a calm evening with its father. Although at heart
it was very nervous, hoping that a visit took place that in the end did not take place.
But the greater one from the surprises it received following Monday. Maggie appeared, left
papers on the writing-desk and seated in their writing desk without watching it. They were
turned around, but they were the duties that had requested to him. And to top it all, well
facts.
Antonia did not say nothing. He was small vic-toria, to all the effects. It did not want to admit
that it was enchanted. But in any case, it put ten to him. Very deserved.
Chapter 10
JULIE began a to seat with Antonia in the recreations, and shared with her the pies and
buns that her mother gave him when went to the school.
--Mi mother it says that she is making a great work with me, young lady Hayes -- girl --. said
My father remembers it of the school, knew it? It says that she was a charming girl, and very
timid. It is certain?
Antonia laughed.
-- That I am afraid. I also decide to me your father. She was the joker of the class.
-- My father? Of truth?
Of truth. But you do not say to him that there am you saying, you want?-- it joked, smiling.

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Maggie it observed, from certain distance. Like always, she was single. One did not take
well with the other children. The children hated it, and children ed ***reflx mng themselves of
her because he had the legs very thin, and always full of scratches by its correteos by the
farm. One of the boys, Jake Weldon, were particularly hiriente, aun-que Maggie tried not to
do case to him. And its sole-dad had been increased because Julie no longer happened
time with her.
Maggie it hated to two. Julie was wanted everywhere, and now it preferred company of the
professor to hers. But it wanted to demonstrate to the young lady Hayes that it was was not
as bad as its mother. She knew what her mother had done because she had listened to a
conversa-ción in certain occasion, without nobody noticed it. He remembered that he had
blamed his father of not loving it, and who his father had answered as well which he had
thrown to be killed his by fault hers and of his premature daughter. Unfortunately, tam-bién
had listened to another commentary. His father had said that of having been drunk he would
not have lain down with she, and who, in such case, never would have been born.
In that time did not include/understand the sense of those words. But later it heard that his
father said something similar to the master of keys. After that, it left of to listen to hurtadillas
the conversations of the others. His father knew that no he wanted it, and he let try to be
good.
Also it knew that Hayes knew the young lady. It had commented the master of keys who was
returned to Bighorn to make him the life impossible, and that it did not wish that it remained
there. Of to have been able to speak with its pro-fesora, it would have to him said that his
father hated them to two. Something that, in certain way, united them.
A began to think that his father had not wanted to marry with his mother, but was asked why
it would have done it. It was as it was the reason, had something to see whereupon not
qui-siera it. People said that Sally did not love its daughter, that Maggie only it had been a
trap to hunt to Powell Long. And perhaps they were in certain, because her mother never
passed tiem-po with her. It was evident that it did not want it.
One seated in ground, leaning in a tree and staining with it the cattle tenders. The seño-rita
Bats, the master of keys, would have been put furious if it had seen it, but no it mattered to
him. It had thrown almost all its clothes, with the excuse of which it was too dirty like lim-piar
it. But had not been said it to its father. It thought that it was possible that, when began to go
naked, somebody noticed his it is present at.
It would have to him pleased to fall well to Mrs. Bates, like Julie, that until remained with her
in the recreation to obtain benefits. At heart Julie fell to him well, to weighing of which it was
a ball, always arranged to make any thing to please. A times it was wondered why reason
would have become friend hers. It did not need ami-gos. One was enough to itself. It was
arranged to demonstrate to him to that it was one per-sona very special. She was
determined to that all they wanted it, someday. But at the moment, it was limited to sigh and
to close the eyes. It would have liked to know the secret of Julie. To know why it pleased so
much.
-- There it is Maggie -- a gesture said to Julie, doing towards its classmate --. It does not fall
to him well to nobody, safe to me. He is able to win to the boys playing the baseball, so one
does not take well with them. And the girls are so simple that they hate it because she does
not want to play idiot things. I feel much by her. It says that his father does not want it, that he
always is of trip. Nor-malmente, remains with we when it march, but has not wanted to come
to house this week because...
Julie it stopped, as if it was scared of to have spoken more of the account.
-- By what?-- Antonia asked.
--Oh, is not nothing important. The case is that cuan-do remains almost always in house of
my family its father march.
The girl no she meant to him to the professor who had discussed with her friend.
Of form involuntary, Antonia watched Maggie, that was observing them with those cold eyes.
Quickly it remembered its mother. Sally, jealous of its beauty, jealous of its notes, jealous of

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its friends, jealous of the relation that maintained with Powell.
One shook and it separated the glance from the girl, tired. It was asked if it could do
something stops to obtain that they changed it class to another. But if they could not do it, it
did not have more options. So and as they were the things, did not have time to look for
another one job, that in any case would not obtain in Bighorn. It closed the eyes and it was
wondered what devils were doing with little that it had left of life. it had inten-tado to convince
that it had returned to face memories, but were too heavy. It could not fight against the past.
Nor at least it could fight against the present. It had to stop and to consider with seriousness
what was going to do with its future.
—Young lady Hayes?
Antonia opened, the eyes and noticed that Julie watched it with preoccupation.
-- one is well?-- it asked.
-- Yes. I am tired, that is everything -- it answered, smiling --. It will be better than we go
away.
Then it gave by finished the recreation, it called to the children and it hoped that they entered
building.
During rest of the day, Maggie behaved worse than ever. It answered several times of bad
way and refused to obey, ignoring Antonia when a went she. Cuan-do finished the classes,
hoped to that all left stops to enter and to watch its professor again.
--Mi father it says that it would like that mar-chara and that it never returned -- said in stop --.
It says that it turns its life a hell and that cannot support it. ¡It says that him it puts patient!
Antonia ruborizó, surprised.
Maggie occurred the then return and left the classroom. In fact, it had not lain. Its father she
had said to something very similarity, although pensan-do aloud, and it had itself limited to
repeat it in the suitable place. It was evident that there was been able to hurt it. It only wanted
to take revenge itself of her reason why it had felt when it watched it during the recreation
and one shook. It knew that it did not fall to him well and it did not matter to him, because the
young lady either Hayes it did not like her.
Maggie was calm on the following day. One did not put with Antonia and it made the work in
class. But once again one refused to make the duties and it challenged its professor a to
suspend it again. Until one dared to threaten saying it that it would send one note to its
father immediately.
Antonia not it took in serious his threat, but it did not say anything. Every day that happened
felt worse, and it had to deliver true attacks to rise in the morning stops to go to work. The
disease evolved more quickly of which it had thought, and the girl did not facilitate the
things.
During rest of the week, Antonia thought about the possibility of changing it of class. It
thought that it could speak with the director, and as soon as the classes finished it entered
his office.
The lady Jameson smiled with certain precau-ción when it saw that Antonia entered and it
seated his writing-desk in front of.
—I imagine that you have come to speak of Mag-gie Long, again.
In effect -- it said, surprised.
--Lo it hoped -- it declared the woman, with resig-nación --. The Donalds young lady took
enough good with her, but has been the only professor in many years who is been able to
treat it. He is a rebel. His father travels much, and he always leaves it with family of Julie. In
certain occasion, we heard the rumor that Mr. Powell she thought to marry again, and the girl
escaped of house. It does not like much widow of Holton.
Antonia it began to ask itself if that woman it would like to somebody. Something already
knew on her, thanks to the commentaries of Barrie. But it surprised to him to hear that
Powell had considered the possibility of the marriage. Although it could be tra-tar of a false
rumor.
The director she sighed and she focused his attention on the main subject.

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-- Supongo that you want that it changes to Maggie of class. And I would like to make it, but
only tene-mos a quarter class. Ten in account that is a small school. I feel much, of ver-dad.
But it is not possible. Perhaps, if you spoke with its father...
--Ya there am it fact -- it said with calm.
-- and well?
-- Dijo that if it pressed, would do the possible thing so that they expelled to me from the
school. The director she tightened the lips.
-- Good, already we have chatted on it, and you know that it could do it. It is a situation quite
difficult. I feel power not to be more optimistic.
Antonia recostó in its seat and sighed.
--No I had to return to Bighorn -- it said, almost pen-sando in stop --. I do not know why I did
it.
-- that Can you were looking for something.
-- Yes, something that no longer it exists -- it confessed, absent --. A lost part of my life that I
will not find here.
-- But you think quedarte until end of course, right? Your students say wonderful things of
you. Mainly Julie -- it added with a smile.
-- Estudie' with his father, in this same school. It is exactly just as he.
--Lo I know, and you are right. They look like much. Pain is one that not all your students can
to be so power and enthusiastic as she.
-- Yes, from soon. But all have their own personality.
-- Good, I will give you all the moral support that pue-da. We have a good infantile
psychologist. We sent a Maggie a pair of times to see it, but not even opened the mouth.
Also we sent to its house so that it spoke with Mr. Long, but a refused to collaborate. It is a
very complex situation.
-- that Can solve by itself.
-- You will think seriously in the possibility of quedarte?-- it asked.
Antonia no it could promise something thus. It delivered an attack to smile and it answered:
--Lo I will think.
When it left of the office of the director, more it was gotten depressed than ever. Maggie
odia-ba, and, obvious, it would not want to collaborate with her. If the things followed thus,
only it was time question that was forced to suspend it, and Powell would return in order to
speak with her or it would make the possible thing to dismiss it. It did not know if it were
prepared to face him again. And as far as the possibility of to lose its job, did not know
either if it mattered to him. Its health would get worse , and little by little then, it would lack
importance.
When returning a the class discovered to Powell, sen-tado on the writing-desk. It wore a suit
gray and a red necktie, with a distant hat and dull done by hand like perfect complement. In
the hand it took the same ring that had taken always, at the time in which they estu-vieron it
even jeopardize. A gold ring of ten kilates, not too expensive and very simple, with a simple
inscription, letter "L". Her mother had #***aed-refl mng it when she finished the studies in
institute, and to buy had had it to work very hard. most expensive clock that took in the left
wrist it had con-seguido by his own merits. The Long had not made sufficient money in all
their life like thus buying something. When thinking about it, it was asked if Powell would not
think of time in cuan-do in the hard days of its youth.
As soon as it entered in the room, one became and it watched it. Antonia wore a color
dress cream and the hair gathered in moño. It seemed thinner than ever, and very worthy.
-- you have changed much -- he said, of involuntary form.
It walked towards writing-desk and seated. To walk, although outside little, tired it terribly. it
watched with fatigue and it declared:
-- It was thinking the same of you. In short, I must march to me to house. I know why there are
come. But we cannot change to Maggie to another class, because there is no. The only
alternative is that it leaves my job.

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-- That one is not reason of which I am in favor here.
-- No?
Powell took hold a paper clip that was on escri-torio and watched it.
-- Pense' that we could have supper together. Podría-mos to speak on Maggie.
Antonia it found so badly that it felt náu-seas. Hardly oía its voice.
-- How there are said?
--He this that we could have supper tonight together -- it answered, frunciendo frown --. You
have very bad face. Échate towards ahead.
Antonia obeyed e the head inclined, apo-yando it on the hands. The mareos and nauseas
they repeated day to day, every time with greater inten-sidad and frequency. Not even it
knew how much tiem-po could continue working with normality. And the idea it scared. It
would have to fix it everything to begin with the treatment, while still it was on time. A thing
was to say that the death did not matter, when he was healthy, and very different other to
really face her.
-- You are very thin -- he continued he --. There are vis-to to a doctor?
--Si somebody it returns to ask something thus to me... Yes, I have gone to the doctor. I am
only something tired. It has been a very difficult year.
It breathed deeply and it raised the head again. The hair lay down backwards, trying to
contain I am annoying.
-- Yes, I know -- obser-vaba said, absent, while.
Antonia observed watched worried his. In other circumstances it would have analyzed it, but
it was too much exhausted like so that it mattered to him.
-- Maggie has state causing problems to everybody -- it said, without it waited for --. to it
Mainly to you. I thought that, if we chatted on it, we could find some solution.
-- Crei' that my opinion did not matter to you.
-- I have too many things in the head, but your opinion concerns much to me. We have to
speak.
Antonia wanted to say to him that it did not include/understand why. It did not understand that
it wanted to speak with her when it had said to him to its daughter whom it sopor-taba and
that did not wish that it marched the town. But it did not mention it. Too much it would not
have been educated by its part, although hurt to him terri-blemente.
-- and well?-- it asked, impatient.
—It seems to me perfect. At what time you want that it sees you, and where?
The question it seemed to surprise it.
In your house, of course. I will go to recogerte about the six.
It thought that it had to refuse, but was enough one mira-da to its black eyes to be convinced
of the con-trario. With sadness, one said that it would be its last appointment. The last
appointment before aconteci-mientos were triggered towards a trá-gico end.
Of agreement -- it said, delivering an attack to smile.
Powell it observed while it ordered with patience the papers that it had on writing-desk.
Fixed in its hands, much more thin of the normal thing. It included/understood that the death
of its mother had affected it, but that seemed something more that a common depression. It
was in the bones.
--Te I will see six -- Antonia said.
They left together of the class. Powell was per-fectamente conscious of its fragility. And,
without embargo, the years did not seem to have happened. Still he was much more high
that she, and when he watched saw it a youngster vivaz and charmer of eighteen years, and
not to a woman of twenty-seven. It was wondered what would have happened so that his
personality changed of so drastic form. As if its young body lodged an old soul. Perhaps
outside he the culprit.
Antonia watched it with curiosity.
-- Queri'as something more?
Powell it shrank of shoulders.

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-- Maggie me it taught the ten that you had put to him.
--No was thing mine. Gained it. It did a good one work.
--Es a girl brilliant when it wants -- said, putting the hands in pockets --. I said terrible things
the last time that we saw ourselves, and I want to apologize. I exceeded.
It did not want to go more far and to recognize that Maggie had lain to him. One was which
still him it hurt, as much as the lies of Sally had hurt to Antonia. It was difficult to admit that it
was looked too much like its mother.
-- Nobody father would have worried to the knowledge that her daughter had removed a
zero.
--Yo I have not been very good father -- it confessed --. suddenly In short, I will see you six.
Antonia it observed with sadness while one moved away. The vision of its wide shoulders
him the day remembered that broke their commitment.
Powell it stopped in the door of the school, as if it had noticed that was it observan-do. The
return occurred suddenly and it watched it. He was something so sudden that it noticed its
deep one it distresses. In fact, it vacillated when seeing it; it must have the same expression
that nine years back, when I leave it. But it could not be safe, because in that occasion had
not become to watch it.
The professor she breathed deeply and she tried to maintain the composure. It did not say
anything. It did not have nothing that to say. Nothing that had not said its face already.
--A six -- Antonia repeated.
It agreed. And this time, left.
Chapter 11
ANTONIA watched all the dresses that it had in the closet before choosing one of black
color, pretty but simple, of short sleeve and modest decollete. It arrived to him right by
underneath the knees, and although remarcaba its figure perhaps it had left too comfortable.
In fact, it did not have anything almost had left well. It did cold, so that a leather shelter
decided to put itself that had bought the year previous in reductions. With that way it would
cover the ves-tido one, and when it was seated, not notary's office that was one or two
statures greater of the one than it corresponded to him. As complement put a belt, gold
slopes and a small chain that her mother had given him when she finished the studies in the
institute. It did not take other jewels, except for a normal clock in the wrist. Then it repaired in
a the commitment ring that Powell had given him, of gold and with modes-to make shine like
diamonds. It had tried to give back it to it, but one refused to accept it. So that it had kept it
in a small box, along with the chain of its mother.
It took the ring and it watched it with its gray eyes. Its life, and the one of its old fiancè, it
could to be very different if it had not arrived at hurried con-clusiones and if it had not fled.
It left memory in the small box, locked up in the past, to where it belonged. That one went to
being the last time that would see Powell. It only wanted to speak on Maggie. If it wanted to
marry with the widow of Holton, so and as it had heard, would not want to repeat that
appointment. And although pidie-ra, would refuse. Its heart still was too vulnerable. But in
any case, it was made up with extreme well-taken care of and it left small change its hair.
Although thin, it continued being attractive, and it hoped that Powell also believed it thus.
One seated in hall with its father, who per-manecía in silence although ate away the
curio-sidad, and it hoped that the clock marked the six. They lacked ten minutes. In the past,
Powell was always quite precise. It was asked if still it would be it.
-- Nervous?-- it asked Horseradish tree Hayes.
Antonia smiled and it agreed.
--No I know why it wants to speak elsewhere on Maggie. We could speak here, or in school.
Its father he crossed of legs and he passed a hand through one gives his boots.
-- that Can try to fix the things with you.
--Lo I doubt -- espetó --. I have heard that spends long time with the Holton widow.
-- Dawson also it spends long time with her, but the love is not the reason of its interest. Both
they want to make a business. To obtain earth that are contiguous with their farms.

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-- But all world says that she is a very beautiful woman.
Certain --Es. But Dawson does not have intention to maintain an adventure, and Powell
limits a to be amiable.
--Me they have said that it has intention to marry.
-- Of truth?-- it asked, frunciendo sue-ño --. It surprises to me.
--La lady Jameson said that her daughter escaped of her house because she thought that
she wanted to marry with the widow.
His father denied with the head.
-- That not me it surprises so much. Maggie not it takes well with anybody. If anybody is not
in charge of her, will finish bad.
Antonia jugueteó with the black purse that had chosen.
-- Temo not to have be right with her -- con-fesó --. It is looked much like Sally. It must throw
of less.
--Lo I doubt. His mother left it with a niñera whenever she could, and she was dedicated to
even drink that it could not more. She was never good conductor. Perhaps that one was the
reason that it finished in the river.
In the river. Antonia remembered to have heard a review on the accident in the news. Powell
was a rich man, and the death of its wife deserved the attention of average of
comuni-cación. When it knew it, it felt it by her, but it did not attend funeral. It did not have
sense. Sally had been its enemy during long time. Long time.
The sound of car that parked in the ford interrupted its thoughts. One rose stops to open the
door and did it at the precise moment in that Powell called.
When it saw how dress went was shamed of to have fixed. It took cattle tenders, a shirt of
franela, jacket and old boots.
Its surprise was as great as the one of him. Anto-nia was very elegant with its black dress
and its dark shelter. In fact, it had to contain the breathing when seeing it. To weighing of its
excessive thinness, she was as attractive as always.
Arrived --He late to house -- it lay, to explain her indumentaria --. I finish returning of town.
But if delays a little while me cam-biaré of clothes in a second. You can to speak with my
father meanwhile. I feel much...
Shamed and ruborizada it returned to his dor-mitorio and it closed the door. All their dreams
esta-ban broken, once again. One had gotten dressed to go to a restaurant and it had
aspect to want to share a coffee and covers in any bar. It had committed an error when
interpreting his pala-bras. It must have asked to him about the intentions that it had.
Quickly it put cattle tenders and a jer-sey and returned to be placed habitual moño.
Enton-ces it thought, with irony, that the cattle tenders adjusted at least better to their body
than the dress.
Powell watched it while a gesture moved away and did of displeasure.
-- Tuve one emergency in the farm with one of the head of cattle -- it murmured --. I did not
think that it go to get dressed so well, so that not even, I changed of clothes.
--No you get worse the things -- Hayes said to Horseradish tree -- Respeta its pride and you
do as if you had believed his explanation.
-- I never do nor I say the correct thing -- it sighed, with full eyes of sadness --. It has suffered
more than nobody, and only with himself to cause more pain to him.
Horseradish tree pala-bras surprised much when listening his, but, in any case, no it
appreciated absolutely to Powell Long. It could not pardon it by the torment that it had
caused to its daughter, and it could not forget the commentary Antonia, in sense that it had
used them to become rich. The supposed interest that it demonstrated by his health had not
changed his opinion on him, nor the appointment of that night. It did not like to see how
somebody shamed its daughter.
--No you have it until very late that way -- it said with coldness --. One is not well. Powell
watched to the father of its ex- fiancèe.
-- What him it happens?-- it asked.

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-- Not yet it has spent a year from the death of its mother -- it remembered --. to him It throws
it much of less.
Lost --Ha weight, right?
Horseradish tree complied.
-- Now that is returned to house, it will recover it -- it answered, watching it with intensity --.
Not vuel-vas a to do damage to him. If you want to speak with her on your daughter, perfect.
But no wait for nothing. Still she is furious reason why it happened in the past, and I do not
blame it. You committed a terrible error and you did not want to listen. As anything it serves
that you arrepien-tas. She was she whom it had to leave the town.
Powell tightened the teeth and watched it irritated, but it did not answer.
When Antonia the atmosphere returned to the hall was very tense. His father was visibly
gotten upset, and Powell had a very strange expression.
--Ya I am prepared -- it said. It was again placed the leather shelter and its old fiancè it
agreed.
-- We can go to bar of Ted. All the night is open and has good coffee, if it seems to you well.
Antonia took commentary as it insulted and ruborizó.
--Te I said that me it had dressed thus because aca-baba to arrive from the town. The bar of
Ted seems to me a as good place as any other.
Powell it surprised with its reaction. No it had had no intention to hurt it. It opened to him
door of the house and said:
-- Very well, vamonos then.
Antonia it dismissed of his father before leaving. The night was cold, and was snowing.
Mer-cedes of metallic color was parked in the ford, instead of the whole land that used of
habitual way. It took chains in rue-das stops to be able to roll on the snow and the ice, but
was a luxurious vehicle that nothing it had to do with the old van that used when they were
fiancès.
The premises of Ted it was bar and spit, and encon-traba far from Bighorn. The owner of the
estableci-miento he had fame to serve good wine, good beer and good food, but Antonia
no he had never entered. Socially one was very a well seen place, as much that it was
wondered why reason would want to take it there. Perhaps, to emphasize that that was not
an appointment anyone, but a meeting almost of businesses stops to treat on its daughter.
Or perhaps it did not want that they recognized it, in which case the rumor that could be
certain it tried to marry with the widow of Holton. To to think about it became sad, although it
knew that it did not have future with him, nor with no other person.
-- You are very shut up -- he commented, while he parked.
The parking he was empty. Still it was soon and only a pair of tractors could be seen.
-- Supongo that yes -- it talked back.
Powell it felt anxious and something sad. It could not avoid certain feeling of culpability it to
have taken to that place. It had been ves-tido of form elegant to leave with him and without
wanting it had spoiled it everything. Not even it had thought that it could consider that
meeting as an appointment. It followed being as sen-sible as to the eighteen years.
It left the car and it gave the return to open the door to him, but Antonia left before pudie-ra to
do it and waited for it of foot under the snow that fell. They walked towards the bar. By it
displeases for her, it had not anticipated bad weather and it had been put sport slippers and
calce-tines that it had left openworks in little time. Nevertheless, and considering its mood,
little it mattered to him to have ice creams the feet.
Powell occurred it counts and it tightened the lips. The evening was being catastrophic, and
everything by its fault.
They entered the premises and seated. The waiter, a colored person of good called size To
give it, she smiled and she gave the letter them.
-- I only want coffee -- Antonia said as well, smiling.
The eyes of Powell was illuminated.
--Te I have brought so that we have supper -- it remembered to him with firmness.

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-- Well, in so case I will take chili with meat. And coffee.
Powell requested fillet and a salad before giving back the letter to the waiter. It did not
remember to have felt so shamed and impotent in long time.
-- You need to eat something more -- he said, with smoothness.
The sweet tone of his voice it remembered to Antonia last times. During its youth they left
few times, but when they did it, always uti-lizaban their old and destartalada one light truck.
Sometimes only they had money for a pair of boca-dillos, but his company was enough.
They devoured the food and they lead until the prairie that was near the house of Powell.
Then, it extinguished the motor and it threw itself in its arms, ena-morada and candida like a
dove.
Still it remembered the flavor of the enthusiastic and deep kisses that shared. When it
thought about it, surprised to realize to him of which Powell had had the sufficient one control
like avoiding that the things were more far. It wished so much it that he would have been
able to make any thing, but always one was with his common sense. She never tried to
exceed itself, and she interpreted it like a gesture of somewhat traditional respect, as if she
did not want to make the love before they married. But when one married shortly after with
Sally, and when it imagined that they had been lying down, arrived at different conclu-siones
affluent. Never there was it loved, nor wished. It only wanted to make the contact with the
enemy of its father. It was so enamored that had not realized.
--He this that you need to eat something more -- it repeated.
Antonia watched its dark eyes, remembering.
--No I have myself affluent sense in all the day -- it said of evasive form --. In fact, I do not
have hunger.
Powell observed its deep ojeras. Obvia-mente, did not sleep either well.
-- Queri'a to speak with you about my daughter -- de-claró suddenly, because it did not want
to remember happened that assaulted --. I know that it is causing to you problems, and I
hope that we pruned to find a solution, together.
--No is necessary. It has made the duties, and I suppose that later or more early it will yield.
-- Last night it said many things on you. It said that you had threatened sticking it. Antonia
watched it, without being surprised.
-- Really?
-- Also it commented that you have said that you hate it and that you do not want that it is in
your class because it too much remembers its mother to you.
Antonia no it separated the glance. The girl had lain, but without wanting she was closely
together of truth. Maggie was much more perceptiva of which it seemed at first. And Powell
had believed it.
Now already it knew why it had taken it place to that. In order to demonstrate to him that it
did not deserve another one , neither the more better elegant. It was a subtle way and fries
to put it in its site by to have moles-tado to its daughter.
Of all forms, delivered an attack to smile before speaking.
-- It is possible to find some taxi this way?-- it asked, tense --. That way I will not have pedirte
that you take to house.
It made gesture of to rise, but Powell prevented it.
In that moment arrived the waiter, who lle-vaba two cups of smoky coffee.
-- Siento to have taken. Something walks bad?-- it asked.
-- Not -- it answered Powell, without letting watch Antonia --. Nothing. If it is not too much late
it stops to change of opinion, I believe that we will not have supper anything. We will only
take the coffee.
-- Perfect. Me I will order of it.
The waiter she marched, not without before observing the tears that had formed in the eyes
of Antonia. Cuan-do could recognize a discussion saw it. While it wrote it counts, thought
that it knew the sufficient thing the women like knowing that that one was going to explode in
a matter of seconds. Later, it left the account on the table, smiled and it moved away before

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the artifice fires began.
--No you cry -- it said Powell between teeth --. Please.

Chapter 12
ANTONIA breathed deeply and one clung with both hands to the coffee cup before watching
it, trembly.
Powell closed the eyes, fighting against the memories that assaulted it, against
habladu-rías, against the pain. It had not forgotten anything, nor pardoned. And when it saw
it there, it was as if everything began again.
As far as Antonia, had enough with its own memories. It tried to drink a little coffee, but
burned the lips.
-- Vamos, I gave that my daughter lies.
--No I have intention to speak with you -- es-petó, sweet coldness --. I never learn. I thought
that you wanted to chat on the problem, but this is not to char it. It seems a court of the
inquisición. In any case, I will say you that already I have requested to director who changes
it of class. But it is not possible, so that I do not have more option that to resign to my work
and to return to Arizona.
Powell watched it without saying nothing. It did not wait for a reaction thus.
-- Crees that your daughter is a angelito?-- she continued she --. It is stretched, rebellious in
badly felt of term, and mentirosa than its own mother.
—¡Damn you are!
The sound of his voice broke something inside Antonia. Quickly, it took hold its purse and it
raised. It ran towards the outside of the premises with the full eyes of tears. She was
determined to return walking to the town if it were necessary.
But it slipped on an icy patch and a strong blow fell to the ground occurring. It could feel the
snow in the face at the precise moment in that two iron hands they raised and they lle-vaban
it towards the vehicle.
When Powell it opened the door and it introduced it in his interior did not react. It did not
watch it, nor it said a single word, not even when it put the lap belt to him and they directed
of return to Bighorn. As soon as they arrived at the house from his father, Antonia wanted to
take off belt to leave, but it prevented it.
-- Why no you recognize the truth?-- pregun-tó --. Why you do not let lie on the rela-ción that
you maintained with George Rutherford? It bought the fiancèe dress to you, and even it paid
your studies. All the damn town knew that you lay down with him, but you were able to
convince of your innocence to everybody, from your father to Dawson. Then, never you will
be able to convince me to me.
--Lo I know -- espetó, without watching it --. And now, it leaves marches to me.
Powell tightened the hand on her.
—¡You lay down with him!--la accused between dien-tes --. He would have been able to die
by you if...
--No laid down to me with nobody. However, you did it with my better friend. You left it
emba-razada when we were it jeopardize. Really create that your opi-nión concerns
something to me, or your feelings? You were not jealous of George, not even you loved to
me. You requested my hand because you wanted to make the contact with the enemy and
influen-

cia of my father. you needed to save the farm of your rich family and hacerte.
The accusation it surprised so much that did not know what to say. It watched it as if it
thought that it was crazy person. The tenuous light that came from the porch illuminated it.
-- the parents of Salty could not ayudarte -- she continued she, between tears of rage and
pain --. But mine yes. ¡You used to me! Only the decent thing that you did was not acostarte
with me. Although it did not concern much either to you, since esta-bas doing love with
Sally.

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Powell could not to think what it was oyendo. It was the first time in its life that somebody
said to him something, thus so serious that it had remained without words.
-- and you accuse to me to lie?-- she laughed --. Sally lay. But you preferred to believe it
because she gave you opportunity to break our commitment the day before the wedding.
And you follow believing it, because you cannot admit that you were only con-migo to satisfy
your ambition. That did not break the heart to you. That hurt your pride. No longer you
counted on the last name of my rich family for hacerte.
-- I obtained to recover the farm of the family with my own effort -- espetó he, irritated.
-- Usaste last name of my father. That was what Mr. Sims said, the director of the bank.
Until it laughed to to remember the way that you had to use the name of my father to obtain
that you tried.
Until then, Powell had not occurred cuen-ta of which it had been the influence of Horseradish
tree Hayes, and not its efforts, those that had opened so many doors to him. It had not been
conscious that with a reputation like the one of its father, a player and alcoholic, it would not
have obtained anything.
-- Antonia...-- it said he, doubting. She tried to touch it, but it separated.
--No you dare to touch to me. I have already had sufi-ciente. And since you like so much to
make case to rumors, I will give one you. Your daughter will suspend if she does not study.
Although the use costs to me. It does not matter to me absolutely.
Antonia it was able to take off the belt and to leave the vehicle, but by then he it it was
espe-rando in the outside.
--No I think to leave you take revenge yourself of Maggie reason why you can feel by its
mother. If you you dare to do something thus, you will remain without use. You I promise it.
-- Ahead -- it invited with sweet poison and shining glance --. You cannot hurt to me more
than what you have done. And in just a short time I will be very far from any attempt of
revenge by your part.
-- That you create?
Then, and of surprise way, was rushed on her. It embraced it and it kissed it
enthusiastically.
It was a kiss painful, not only in the physicist. It kissed it without desire, tenderness some, as
if parodia of a love act was one. Its language took a walk on his lips with coldness, and their
hands attracted their hips towards their body.
Antonia tried to resist, but was so weak that it could not do it. It was on the awares and it
watched, until he thought that already he had had enough. But at that moment it changed of
acti-tud. It began to kiss it with smoothness and sensua-lidad. Its hands they were lowering
again until his waist and it shook. Nevertheless, it denied to respond to its caresses. One
stayed tense and fries like a block of ice, with the been on awares, the rigid mouth and the
full eyes of tears.
When Powell it watched it again felt like culprit. She was pale.
--No I had it to have done -- it confessed.
Antonia laughed with coldness.
--No, was not necessary. I have already caught the men-saje. You have to me in such
esteem that when you came to look for house not even you changed to me of clothes. And
later you take to me to a bar... I believe that you have left quite clear which is your opinion on
me.
One separated from he, something uncertain.
--No tried that the things finished thus -- said gotten upset.
-- No?
It watched it with one strange mixture of love and hatred, with eyes that in just a short time
would not vol-verían a to open itself. It breathed deeply and it delivered an attack not to sob.
--Oh, God mine, you do not cry -- it moaned --. Sien-to, I feel so much, Annie...
Then it embraced again, but this time without passion and annoyance. It maintained it tight
against its body while it suave-mente caressed it with its hands, as if it wanted to take care

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of it, to protect it.
It was first time in many years that that name used. Des-de had not called it "Annie" its
youth. And the sound of its deep voice calmed a little. It was let take, knowing quesería the
last time, and it closed the eyes. It wanted to think that the time there was no past, that still
was an adolescent enamored with all the life by ahead.
Last --Ha as much time...-- it murmured.
-- All one life -- he said, caressing his hair --. Why I did not hope? A day, only a day more
and...
It seemed that it was almost speaking for itself.
--No we can to change the past.
Its forts arms were warm in compara-ción with the cold that surrounded them. Antonia it
savored the moment without trying to move away. It did not matter what felt by she.
Recuer-do of that moment to the dark of its tomb could take.
It did effort to avoid the tears. In the past, he would have been able to do any thing by her. Or
at least, that had believed. Was a cruel one irony that only was with her to use it.
-- You are in bones -- he said, after seconds.
--Ha be a year very hard.
-- All these years have been hard -- it declared sighing --. I feel much what this has
happened night. I really feel it.
--No matters. It is possible that we needed to clarify the atmosphere.
--No I am surely of which we have clarified nothing. In the past, it would not have hurt to you
deliberately. I have changed, right, Annie?
Powell watched his face and caressed it, sorry.
-- Both we have changed. We are greater.
-- But not more wise people, at least in my case -- it said, separating to a tuft from its blonde
cabe-llo --. Why you have returned? By me?
Antonia no it could answer the truth.
--Mi father it has ill state -- it answered, eva-diendo one more a more direct answer --. It
needs to me. No it had given account me until last Christmases.
--Ya I see. What it happens to you? You cannot decír-melo?
Antonia watched their dark eyes and tried to smile.
-- I am tired, that is everything. Only tired -- it answered, while it caressed its cheek --. Aho-ra
I must return to house. Powell... you could kiss to me once again, only once more, so and as
you did it before?
She was one strange request, but the aconteci-mientos at night had eliminated capacity
of.reason of Powell. One inclined on her and like only answer it kissed it apasiona-damente,
so and as it did when they were it jeopardize. it did with gentleness, it prevents and calidez,
as if it did not want to scare it. And she it embraced it and it attracted it towards himself.
During pre-ciosos second it had not happened nor future, only present. Antonia was let take
and then it noticed the reaction of its body. It was excited, and it kissed it of insistent and
intimate way. It knew that that would not last, but could at least recor-dar that during seconds
he had been his. And it loved its heart yet.
An eternity later one separated from him without saying nothing and retired the arms of his
neck. It could notice the scent of its colony, and still feel the flavor of its mouth. Only it hoped
to never forget that moment.
One fixed them in order to smile, shaken.
-- Thanks -- it said almost without voice.
It watched it with as much intensity that Powell had the impression that ros-tro tried to
memorizar his. And in fact, it guessed right.
—It wanted to have supper with you because it had intention of which we spoke -- said he.
--Ya we have spoken -- it talked back, moving away --. Although we have not fixed anything.
It has dema-siadas wounds, Powell. We cannot change the past, but I assure to you that I
will not do no damage to Maggie, although for it must leave my position of work.

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--No is necessary to arrive so far.
Antonia smiled.
--Si is necessary, I will do it. In any case, it has all letters in the hand, and it knows. But it
does not matter -- it said, sighing --. Long term it does not concern anything. It is possible
that until he is better thus. Good bye, Powell. I am glad much of which there are been as
much successful. You have obtained everything what you always wanted. I know happy.
Before occurring the return watched it more second to be soaked of him. Then it walked
towards house. Account occurred of which it had not thanked to him for the coffee, although
surely it did not hope that he did it. When it entered the house, one was glad of which his
father was vien-do a television program; he was so con-centrado that he did not make
questions about the evening. Thanks to it, avoided a pain to him unnecessary. It avoided the
pain to see him its daughter crying.
Powell walked slowly and heavy towards the entrance of its mansion. It was moved,
can-sado and desperate. It had always dreamed whereupon someday it would speak again
with Antonia and would fix the things. But they had not been able to control to the past, and
that night, it had closed all the doors. It had kissed it as if one was taking leave for always.
And probably, it was certain. It supposed that her daughter did not fall to him well, something
that in any case was reciprocal. Sally it had marched, but before dying it had left among
them a barrier that it would always separate them, in form of a small and belligerent girl. It
had reached the erroneous conclusion that it could not arrive at anything with Antonia by fault
of its daughter. Something quite sad, because that night had discovered much that meant
for him.
When it entered it surprised when seeing that her daughter was seated in the stairs of the
house, with the clothes of the school, waiting for it.
—What you are doing raised? Where she is Mrs. Bates?-- it asked. It shrank of shoulders.
-- Tuvo to leave to house. It said that vol-verías soon in any case -- it responded, observing it
with full eyes of resentment --. You have said to him to the young lady Hayes who is better
than is good with me from now on?
Powell frunció the frown.
-- How you know that there am been with her?
--Me it said it Mrs. Bates. And also it said that the young lady Hayes is charming, but is not
certain. She is one trims. I said to him that you hated it. I said to him that you wanted that it
marched here and that never returned. And it is truth, papa, you said it.
When hearing to his daughter remained ice cream. Not him extra-ñaba that Antonia had
behaved with as much mistrust and hostility.
-- When you said?-- it asked.
--La week happened -- it answered --. I also want that she leaves. ¡Hatred!
-- Why?
-- Because it is stupid. Much is glad when Julie takes flowers to him or plays with her. Nor at
least it knows that only it tries to do the ball to him. And Julie no longer wants to play with me,
because dema-siado it is occupied making small drawings for the seño-rita Hayes.
resentment that was in the voice of its daughter was a revelation for him. It remembered that
Sally always had behaved thus with Anto-nia. When they married did not let attack it to go to
the university and to try to be professor. She only wanted to marry with him and to leave
maintained it. It said that when they broke his commitment, Antonia had been ed ***reflx
mng because it had intention to marry with George, hom-bre much more rich. And
everything was lies. Dirty lies.
-- Quiero that a start off of now you make debe-res -- he said --. And it leaves badly of
portarte in class.
—¡I do not behave badly! ¡And I have made the duties! ¡It is certain!
Powell went a hand by the forehead. Maggie was a very disagreeable girl. Always him
lle-vaba gifts, but did not pass time with her because it remembered to him the past and him
it made feel guilty.

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-- it has said to You she who I am behaving bad?-- it continued.
-- What matters what it has said to me?-- his father answered, watching it with irritation --. It
will be better that you obey, or you will have atenerte to me the consequences.
Powell it marched, very gotten upset and disgus-tado. Account did not occur of which an act
so impulsive it could mean for a sensible girl, who limited itself to hide its feelings before the
adults. Its belligerence was only a mask stops that the others did not know that they could
herir-la with facility. But now mask had fallen. It watched at its father with its full blue eyes of
tears, tightening the fists.
-- Papa -- it sighed in very low voice --, why you do not want to me? Why you cannot want to
me? I am not bad. I am not bad. Papa...
But Powell no it heard it. And when one left to the bed, it began to give returns to the subject
of young lady Hayes. She was determined to make pay him that his father had treated it of
that way.

Chapter 13
MONDAY following they had an examination. Maggie was not bothered in answering nor a
single one of the questions. As usual, it was limited to seat with the crossed arms without
separating the Vista from the professor. And the storm desen-cadenó when Antonia
approached its writing desk to ask if it did not have intention of to answer.
--No I have by what to do it. And it cannot force to me.
Antonia it decided to take it before the director. It did not matter to him that Powell fulfilled
ame-naza to obtain that they dismissed it. It was tired of the past and of future, and not more
near finding a solution for its dilemma. Part of her it wanted to risk to initiate the treatment,
with all his consequences; but another part esta-ba died of fear.
--Lo I feel -- it said when the director entered in the waiting room --. Maggie refuses to
answer the questions of the examination. And I thought that if him expli-cabas the
implications of this subject...
That one was opportunity that Maggie was hoping.
—¡Me it hates!-- it exclaimed, pointing it with a finger --. It says that I am like my mother and
who me it hates.
In fact, it began to really sob and to cry.
Antonia ruborizó, victim.
-- That is not certain, and you know it.
-- Yes that it is -- it insisted --. Mrs. Jameson, has said that she is going to suspend to me
and who I cannot to make nothing to avoid it. ¡It hates to me because my father married with
my mother in place to marry with her!
Antonia it supported in the door, weak, and watched at the girl with full eyes of incredulity. It
was a so unexpected attack that it did not find defense some. It could not believe that Powell
was as cruel as to have said something to him thus. It could not think that so it was gotten
upset.
-- Antonia, I am safe that that is not cier-to, right?-- the director asked, doubting.
--No, not it it is -- it answered --. I do not know who has been able to say something thus to
him, but, of course, I do not have be I.
-- She was my father -- espetó the girl.
It lay of new. The previous night had listened to the telephone conversation that it maintained
Mrs. Bates with a friend. And, without que-rer it, it had obtained weapon that needed.
Antonia it suffered of the strong blow. He knew that his old fiancè was gotten upset, but no
that he had so little heart as to thus say something to him to his daughter, knowing that he
would use it against his professor. In addition, it was a terrible accusation stops to do it in
the school. One of the mothers was present, because it was hoping to gather its son, and
two of the secretaries they contemplated scene with supreme interest. To the fall at night
already all the town would know to it. It would be another scandal. Another humiliation.

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Horrible --Es with me -- she continued the girl, without letting indicate it --. It says that it can
be so bad as it wants because nobody will believe to me. ¡I am scared of her! You will not
leave he does damage, right, Mrs. to me Jameson?-- it asked, watching it with lamb eyes
degollado --. ¡Di-ce that will beat to me!
To Maggie not him was nothing difficult to cry.
It only needed to think about much that his father hated.
The lady Jameson did not believe it in any moment, but it cried as much that it opened the
door of its office so that they were tran-quilas more. It did not have heart to do contingency
not covered by law of the pain the girl.
-- Entra and siéntate, please -- it said to Maggie --. And you do not cry. We are going to
solve this. Nobody it will do damage to you.
The girl sobbed and one cleaned the eyes with the back of the hand.
-- Yes, lady.
It lowered the head so that Antonia could not see its expression of triumph. It had won.
Pen-saba that it had obtained that dismissed it, and that Mrs. Donalds would return it stops
to occupy its old position.
It entered office and closed the door. Anto-nia was limited to watch the professor.
-- Antonia, never it had seen it so altered -- it said the director, grudgingly --. It never had
cried until now. I believe that really it is scared of you.
When noticing the indecision of the other woman, the professor knew immediately what she
was thinking. It had lent ears to habladurías and it did not know it thoroughly. It feared the
power of Powell and, in case outside little, her daughter had mon-tado all a scene. It did not
do lack to be fortune teller to know what was going to happen. It had lost. It was as if the
destiny wanted that it returned to Arizona. But perhaps outside the best thing. No it could say
the truth to him to its father. He would have been too cruel; its health it made worse day to
day and it did not want to sadden to the person whom it more loved in world.
It watched the eyes to Mrs. Jameson, tired.
--Da equal -- it declared with smoothness --. In any case, it must have left work later or more
early.
--No you I include/understand -- the frown said to the woman, frunciendo.
Antonia smiled with sadness, thinking that already it would include/understand it when died.
-- Voy to evitarte the annoyance to have to des-pedir to me. I resign. I hope that at least you
do not include no negative commentary in my expe-diente. We will already fix the subject of
settlement. As far as Maggie, who knows. Perhaps I could it have treated better. I will gather
my things and I will leave immediately, if you can find one it replaced.
Entonces it gave the return and one left office. The director watched it with deep sadness.
When Maggie it returned to the class, after maintaining one long conversation with seño-ra
Jameson at the time of eating, the young lady Hayes already had left. Julie it cried in silence
while the professor replaced wrote debe-res that they had to do in the slate.
During rest of the day, Julie did not let watch with resentment to Maggie, with that it denied
to speak until they left the building to reach the bus.
--La young lady Hayes has left -- acu-só --. And it has been by your fault, right? I heard that
Mrs. Tarleton said that they had dismissed it.
Maggie ruborizó.
-- Good, not me strange that bothers to you, tenien-do in account that eras its mimada girl.
¡But with me she was a witch! It hated it, and I am glad which one has left.
-- Era very likeable... ¡You are a mentirosa!
Maggie ruborizó a little more.
—¡ it deserved! ¡It would have suspended to me!
—¡It had to do it!-- it exclaimed gotten upset --. ¡You are a vague odiosa!
-- You either me you please to me -- espetó --. ¡You are a ball, that is what you are! To the
young lady Donalds it does not like, and I yes. Soon it will return.
—¡It has had baby, and will not return! At that moment three children arrived at the tail of the

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bus more. One of them asked:
-- Why it is had had to march the seño-rita Hayes?
—¡Because Maggie it said a pile of lies on her and they have thrown it!-- Julie declared.
-- That is it thrown? ¡Damn witch! ¡She was the best professor than we have had!
The boy, who Jake was called, pushed Mag-gie with force.
—¡That is not certain!Maggie was defended.
It was not had dice tells that the people would know that they had dismissed it, nor of which
outside so wanted between the children of the school.
-- you have obtained that they dismiss it because you did not fall to him well -- Jake insisted,
preventing that boys raised bus --. Then, they will have to throw us to all of school, because
you do not fall to him well to anybody. ¡You are ugly and stupid, and you seem boy!
Maggie did not say nothing. It raised the bus and one seated single. Nobody spoke with her.
Everybody it watched it and it murmured. It tried to hide, avoiding the glance of Jake. It was
crazy person by him, but now hated it. Luckily, nobody knew what felt.
But at least the young lady Hayes had mar-chado itself. It was only the good one that it had
obtained in a day, on the other hand, horrible.
Antonia had that to say to him to its father who was lost his use and whom it had to leave
new. It was most difficult that it had had to do in all its life.
—¡That miserable!-- rugió, running to teléfo-no --. It is not going to leave with hers, with all
those lies. I think to call to Powell and to say the truth to him.
Antonia put a hand on the earpiece to prevent that to off-hook it. It took to its father to the
sofa and one seated as well in the edge, with the united hands.
-- Powell creates that the girl says -- said with firmness --. It does not have reasons to doubt
its word. Apparently, it is not a com-pulsiva mentirosa. To me it has not believed to me, and
to you it will not believe to you either. It will support its daughter happens what it happens.
And it will not change anything. Nothing absolutely.
-- That girl...
--No fell to me well, and it noticed it -- it said, while skirt --. was fixed a little That is not fault
hers. In any case it does not matter, papa. I will come once in a while to visitarte, and you will
be able to come to see me. It will not pass anything, really.
-- But you finished to return to house...-- it commented with sadness.
--Y can that return definitively in the future -- it observed, smiling, before abrazar-lo --. I will
leave tomorrow morning. It is better than it does it as soon as possible.
-- What will do now in the school?
-- Good, they will contract the following person that they had in the list -- it answered --. I am
not essential.
-- For me yes. Antonia kissed it.
-- You also it you are for me. But now it will be better than it is going to make the luggage.
That night it telephoned to Barrie, that invited it to live in its floor until it found another one
place. Nevertheless, it did not tell to its friend the happened thing him. It would already do it
later.
One took leave of his father, raised his car and lead towards Arizona. Horseradish tree had
insisted on which she took the bus, but it wished to be single. It had many things in which to
think. It had to face its fears. The moment had arrived for taking one very difficult decision, a
decision that was been postponing dema-siado time.
Chapter 14
OF RETURN in Arizona, Barrie served to a coffee and a piece to him as cake while it
waited with patience to that it explained the reasons to him of his return.
When Antonia it told the happened thing him to the daughter of Powell, Barrie waned and it
bit lip, in a nervous gesture that repeated when it did not know what to do.
--Te I assure that I would have killed them -- she said irritated --. You are too thin, Annie.
Perhaps be better than you have returned. You have worse aspect than ever.
-- Now that I am here, I will recover. But I must look for a work, if it is that there is some.

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--La person who she happened to sustituirte, the Garland young lady, received a supply of a
company that she paid to him much more and one left without saying nothing. I imagine that
they will be wishing to find that it replaces it. There are no so many people arranged to work
as much by so little money. Antonia smiled.
-- That is certain. Good, I have luck at least. I will call tomorrow morning.
--Me I cheer of that you have returned. I have thrown to you much of less.
--Y I also a you. You have known something of Dawson? Barrie...
Barrie it was biting the lip again. Antonia gave a handkerchief him so that it cleaned the
blood.
-- You must leave of to do that -- it continued.
It cheered to him to be able to think about something som-brío less than the reasons that it
had had to aban-donar Bighorn.
--Lo attempt -- it said, watching its friend --. Dawson came to see me and we had a
discussion.
-- On what? Barrie did not answer.
Of agreement, no I will insist. It does not matter to you that I have left with you? Really?
-- Clear that not -- it embraced --. Forms leave from my family. You are in your house.
Antonia did effort not to cry by the emotion.
-- You also forms leave from my family.
--Lo I know, but now we are going to eat something before we begin to say all type to us of
cum-plidos. Thus I will be able contarte the expan-sión plans that they have for the
department of mate-máticas. It is possible that they give the headquarters me of the
department.
-- Vaya, me I cheer much for you.
--Y I. I have had as much luck...
Its enthusiasm he was contagious. Antonia closed the eyes and looked for quiet supported
in the strength of Barrie. One said that it had to find the way to continue living. Perhaps its
return to Arizona had sense, instead of the happy exis-tencia that it took like professor in
Bighorn. It wanted to think that there was some hidden sense in the chain of events. The
idea to initiate the treatment of leukemia scared it, but not as much as three weeks back. It
was deci-dida a to go to speak with the doctor and to discuss with him the possible
options.
Maggie happened single all the week. Julie did not want to speak with her, and it did not
have any other friend. Mrs. Bates had found out happened to the young lady the Hayes, and
she avoided his company whenever she could. One was in the mansion stops to take care
of of her, because one refused to remain in house of Julie. But that did not avoid that she
was tense, nor that did not let murmur while it made the workings of house.
Powell had had to leave Thursday to solve subjects of businesses in Denver, at the precise
moment in that all the problem began. When it returned, no it knew that Anto-nia had left. It
did not think about another thing that not outside disastrous appointment that they had had,
and the things that had said to him. In the end it had convinced that never relation with
George had maintained nin-guna Rutherford. The acu-saciones of which it had used the
name of his father stop to become rich they had served to be on the awares to him.
In any case, it was not certain. It would never have made a thing thus. But she believed it,
which she explained that she had not tried to defend itself. It could not think that it had to him
more minimum affection. Surely, it would have arrived at the con-clusión from which in reality
always been had enamored with Sally. The coincidence of which Maggie she was
sietemesina would have pushed it to think that there was been lying down with she. And it
was not certain. In fact, they had only lain down in an occasion, night in which Antonia left the
town. It had the broken heart, felt betrayed, and so drunk that it did not know what was
doing.
When to tomorrow following it woke up next to Sally, the horror of the happened thing
destroyed something in its interior. It knew that no longer it could solve nothing. It had

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seduced Sally, and in a as reactionary population as Bighorn it did not have more remedy
than to marry with her to avoid another scandal. The protestants were people more worried
about the sentimental life about the others that by the subjects truely serious. One felt
catched, and more catched he was when two weeks later it told him that it believed to be
pregnant.
Antonia not it it knew. It did not know that it loved it sincerely because never had been said
it. No he had been able to express what felt. And by then, already it was too much late. The
years passed, emptinesses and colds, endurecién-dolo. As far as Sally, knew that it did not
love it; it knew that it hated it by it to have pushed rom-per its commitment with which she
had been his better friend, and paid the price of his iniquidad, along with its daughter.
After time, began to drink and con-virtió in alcoholic, looking for a form of to mitigate its
pain. Powell sent it to successive clinics so that they cured it, but it did not serve as anything.
Its total rejection had destroyed it. Even later of its death, it could not feel nothing by her.
Nor by Maggie.
The girl no she had received no love of his parents, and was the person colder than she had
never known. Sometimes it was asked if real-mente she would be its daughter, because not
it seemed nothing to him. Sally had commented to him in certain occasion that had not been
his first lover, and until had insinuated that he was not the father. From then, it had not let
think on it, something that more had clouded still its relation with Maggie.
It left the suitcase in the ground of the recibidor and it watched his around. The house was
empty, or it seemed to be it. But as soon as it watched towards the stairs saw that Maggie
was sitting in a step, with worn away cattle tenders and jersey.
-- Where it is Mrs. Bates?-- it asked.
-- It went to do it buys -- it answered, encogién-dose of shoulders.
-- you do not have nothing that to do?
--No.
Maggie no it raised the glance, and that irritated it.
-- Good, then it runs to see the television, or something thus. You will not have had more
problems in cole-gio, right?
-- Yes.
Powell walked towards the stairs and it observed it with attention.
-- and well?
-- they have dismissed to the young lady Hayes -- con-fesó, troubles.
Powell nor at least it blinked. One felt as if its heart had stopped.
-- By what?-- it asked, in a tone of as smooth voice as dangerous.
Maggie tightened the hands on its knees.
-- Menti' -- a guessed right to answer --. It wanted that one left because it did not fall to him
well. I lay and they dismissed. Everybody hates to me now, mainly Julie. ¡And not me it
matters!-- it exclaimed, watching it with belligerence --. ¡It does not matter to me! ¡It did not
like!
-- and of whom think that it is the fault?-- it asked irritated.
Maggie hid its pain, so and as did siem-pre. It raised the chin with pride and it said:
-- I want to march to me to live to another site.
-- and to where you want to go?-- it asked, thinking about Antonia --. The parents of Sally live
in California and is too greater to take care of of you. We do not have more family.
The girl avoided to watch it. By its tone of voice, it seemed that it also wanted that he left. No
it could support it by more time.
-- Tomorrow by tomorrow you will come with me to the school and you will say the truth to
him to the director, we are? And later, you will request excuses to the seño-rita Hayes.
--No is here -- it said, tightening the teeth.
-- How?
--Se has marched. One went to Arizona.
When seeing watched of its father one shook. Powell breathed deeply. Their eyes brilla-ban

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of such form that the girl felt panic.
-- Dijiste that no you liked -- I accuse it with broken voice --. ¡You said it! ¡You said that you
wanted that it marched!
--No you had right to cause that they threw it -- it said with coldness --. ¡That one does not fall
to you well person does not give any right you to do damage to him!
--La lady Bats said that I am like mother. It said that I am a mentirosa like my mother --
de-claró between tears --. And it said that you hate so much to me as you hated mother.
Powell did not say nothing. It did not know what to say, nor how to treat its daughter. It
doubted, and Maggie took advantage of that moment to run stairs above and to lock in
themselves in its dormitory. Mrs. Bates was right. Everybody hated it.
-- I am bad -- it whispered when she was single --. I am bad, and everybody hates to me for
that reason.
It had to be certain. Her mother had become a drunkard who had to him counted much
which she hated it to catch it in a marriage without love, not to look like a his father, by being
like was. Everything would have been solved civiliza-damente by simple procedure to
divor-ciar itself, but the people of Bighorn were too much conservative. In any case, his
father did not know it. And it could not speak with him, nor to tell nothing him. They did not
love it, they did not want it, and it did not have any site to which to go. Although one
escaped, all mun-do knew it. And they would again bring it to his house. A flight would only
serve to make matters worse, because its father it would get upset much.
One seated on the carpet and watched the expensive toys that filled the extensive room. No
there was love in no of them. They were like useless substitutes of the kisses, of the hugs,
from the exits to zooló-gicos, amusement parks or circus. They were objects of a father who
felt like culprit, of a father who did not want it. Maggie watched them with deep anguish, and
it was wondered why it would have been born.
Powell entered its vehicle and lead until the house of the father of Antonia. It did not hope
that it let enter, but, for its surprise, Horseradish tree opened the door.
--No is necessary that you invite to me to happen -- Powell --. said Maggie has to me
counted what is fact. I want to take it tomorrow morning to the school, so that it speaks with
Mrs. Jameson, says the truth and she apologizes reason why she has done. I am safe of
which they will give back its job to him.
--No it will return -- it said Horseradish tree with sadness --. It said that almost one was glad
of the happened thing because it did not want to live here.
Powell took off the hat and passed a hand through its black hair.
-- What I can to say, unless I feel it. I do not know why my daughter hates as much.
-- Yes, yes that you know -- espetó --. suddenly And also you know why it falls to him bad to
Antonia.
-- It can that is truth. I have committed dema-siados errors, and too terrible. In certain
occasion, Antonia said that it could not believe the ver-dad because it did not have force
stops to recognize blind it that was been -- sighed --. I suppose that it was right. It knew that
one had not lain down with George. But to admit would have meant it to admi-tir that not only
it had ruined my life, but also the one of Sally. And my pride no me it allowed it.
--A times a high price by erro-res pays. Antonia still is paying for that reason. They have
spent many years since then, but never it has been with another man.
Powell felt an intense anguish in cora-zón. It watched the eyes of Horseradish tree and
asked:
-- Crees that is too much late?
Horseradish tree included/understood it immediately.
--No I know -- it answered sincerely.
-- Something it worries. Something that it does not have to do with Maggie, nor with the
past. It seems ill.
--La forces, a to go to see doctor Harris. It said that vitamins had prescribed him.
Powell watched it and it recognized the suspicion that barked in the eyes of the man. The

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same suspicion that it lodged.
-- You not it do not create, and I either -- it breathed --. pro-fundamente Why nonflames to the
doctor Harris and him questions what happens?
--Es Sunday.
—If not it beams you, I will do -- the young person said. Horseradish tree doubted during
seconds.
-- that Can be right. It enters.
It telephoned to doctor. They interchanged whichever educated words before pregun-tara
directly by Antonia.
-- Sabes very well that it is a confiden-cial subject, Horseradish tree -- it said with
smoothness.
-- Harris, Antonia has returned to Arizona and has aspect very badly. It said that you had to
him prescribed vitamins. I want that you say the truth to me. The doctor doubted.
--Me it requested that was not said it to anybody. Not even to you.
Horseradish tree watched a Powell and said:
-- I am its father.
Harris remained in silence seconds before continuing.
-- Very well. a doctor is dealing with Tucson. I will give its telephone you so that you can
speak with him. He is doctor Harry Claridge.
-- Ted, I occurred it, please.
The doctor he sighed.
-- Horseradish tree, has waited for too much time to decide if it wants to begin or not with
treatment. If haste does not occur... it can that is too much late.
Horseradish tree left itself to fall in the sofa, lívido and defeated.
-- treatment? Why?
Powell watched it with deep seriousness, escu-chando, hoping.
-- Hatred to have decírtelo -- médi-co --. answered When doing it, I am breaking the ethical
code of my profession. But I must do it, is by its good.
-- treatment why?-- it insisted of nue-vo, observing the face scared of Powell.
-- For cancer, Horseradish tree. The blood analyses demonstrated that it has leukemia. I
feel it. It will be better than you speak with doctor Claridge. And that you see if you can
convince it. We could stop its disease during years, Horseradish tree, during many years.
But only if it initiates of once the treatment. Constantly they remove new pro-ductos, and they
discover new forms to treat the cancer. ¡You cannot allow that one surrenders so soon!
Horseradish tree felt that their eyes filled of lágri-mas.
-- Yes, by supposed. Dame... dame that telephone number, you want, Ted?
Harris gave him the number of the doctor of Arizona.
--No I will forget never the favor that you have to me fact. Thank you very much -- one took
leave, before hanging.
Powell watched it, horrified.
-- one has refused to receive a treatment? A treatment why?
Horseradish tree contemplated the face, pale, of Powell.
-- Leukemia. No it returned to Bighorn to que-dar itself with me. Wine to die here -- it
declared, sunk --. ¡And now she is single, single! Single to face its destiny.
Chapter 15
POWELL did not say nothing. It was limited to watch Horseradish tree while they assaulted
all the horrible things that it had said to Antonia. The brutality remembered with which it had
kissed it, the insults that had let escape. And to make matters worse, it remembered how it
had reacted. In the end it kissed it with an incredible tenderness, watching it as if it wanted
to memorizar its face.
-- It was taking leave -- it guessed right to say, pen-sando aloud.
-- How?
Powell breathed deeply. There was no time for explanations, nor for remorses. No it could

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think about itself. It had to think about Antonia, in which could do by she. In first place, more
important era to obtain than accepted its aid.
--Me I march a Arizona -- it declared, occurring the return.
-- Espera moment -- he with seque-dad --. said She is my daughter.
--Y does not want that you know that espetó is ill --, without becoming --. I assure to you that I
do not think to have left thus I, without doing nothing. I can take it to clinical May. I will be in
charge to pay the invoices. ¡But I will not leave dies without fighting!
Horseradish tree felt that the hope appeared again in its inte-rior while it doubted with
respect to which it could do. It did not know if he would be better to run to offer its support or
to allow to him that it thought that he was not found out. In spite of everything, he was sure
that Powell it would do the possible thing so that it obtained the best medical care; in fact,
surely, it could obtain more things than he. But as much damage in the past had done him
that it did not know what to think.
Powell noticed his doubts and stopped. It could ima-

ginar what Horseradish tree felt by its only daughter. No so it was become attached to
Maggie as to know how it would react before the news similars, and des-de soon, were a
thought of shadiest.
--Yo I will order of her. I will call to you in cuan-to has something decirte -- it commented with
sua-vidad --. If it gets to find out that you know it, will be depri-mirá much. Obvious, it wanted
to maintain it for protegerte privily.
--Lo I suppose, but hatred the secrets.
--Y I. Without perhaps embargo, is better than you maintain this one. That way, he will be
tran-quila more. One will not worry when it knows that I know it -- she laughed with bitterness
--. Think that hatred.
Horseradish tree began a to notice the feelings of Powell, feelings that nothing they had to
do with hatred. It agreed and it said:
In such case me I will be here. But as soon as you know something...
--Te I will call.
Powell lead until its house with the heart in a fist. Antonia would not have said it to anybody.
With its habitual obstinacy, one would resist to begin with the treatment and it would die
single, feeling left.
When it arrived, it raised the superior floor and it made the suitcases. The memories
assaulted it, but already it could not retire his repugnant accusations.
Suddenly, it felt that they observed it. The return occurred and observed its daughter, who
watched it with the extreme seriousness.
-- What you want?-- it asked with coldness.
-- you march to You again?
-- Yes. To Arizona.
--Oh. And why you go to Arizona?-- it inquired with bitterness.
Powell watched with intensity to its daughter.
-- to see a Antonia. In order to excuse to me in your name to him to have made lose its use.
Wine to Bighorn because she was very ill and it wanted to be with his father.
It separated eyes. The pain that felt was almost unbearable. It was terrified; it could not to
ima-ginar a world without her.
Maggie was one intelligent girl, the sufficient thing like understanding that the young lady
immediately Hayes meant something important for him.
-- a goes away to die?-- it asked.
Powell breathed deeply before con-testar.
--No I know it.
The girl she crossed of arms. One felt worse than ever. The young lady Hayes was dying
and she had had myself to march there by his fault. It lowered the glance and it said:
--No knew that she was ill. I feel much lain salary.

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-- You would have to feel it. And it is more, you will see con-migo Mrs. Jameson as soon as
it returns and you will say the truth to him.
Of agreement -- it said, resigned.
Powell finished to make the suitcases and the shelter was put.
The blue eyes of the girl they escudriñaron to the high father who did not want it. It had
waited for all his life to that sometimes it entered house laughing, to that he was happy for
seeing it, a that it raised it in arms and said that it wanted it. But never it had happened. It
did not want it.
-- Vas to bring again to the young lady Hayes?
-- Yes -- it answered --. And if you do not like, you will have aguantarte.
Maggie did not say nothing. Because of his men-tiras, now wanted it less than ever. One
occurred return and returned to its dormitory, closing with taken care of the door. The young
lady Hayes had to hate it reason why he had done. It would return and it would not forget
what it had done. There would be another ready person to make suffer it, to make him feel
that nobody wanted it. One seated in the bed, too sad like crying. One had never felt so
badly. And then, it was asked suddenly if young lady Hayes would not feel in the same way. It
knew that it was going to die and it had lost the use, seeing itself forced marchar-se a place
where it did not have family.
--Lo I feel of truth, young lady Hayes -- it said.
This time began to cry, and it could not make nothing avoid it. But in elegant and the
enormous one mansion where it lived, nobody approached to con-solar it.
Powell spoke with Mrs. Bates and it said to him that one left to Arizona, but did not explain
his reasons. One left quickly, without seeing its daughter again. It was scared of which if it
did it could not hide the terrible deception that felt reason why it had fact.
It arrived at Tucson to last hour of afternoon, and it reserved room in a hotel. Later, it took
one telephone directory and looked for the telephone number of Antonia, but she was
disconnected. Of repen-te, it realized that it would have left his apartment when it returned to
Bighorn. It did not know where it could be.
It thought about it during minutes until it found an answer. Surely, it would be with
hermanastra of Dawson Rutherford. Then, it looked for the telephone number of Barrie Bell.
Only there was one in the guide. It was Sunday in the evening, so that it supposed that they
would be in house.
Antonia it answered the call. Its voice sounded tired.
Powell doubted. Now that had found it it did not know what to say. While she doubted, she
thought that they had been mistaken and hung. Then pen-só that to speak on the telephone
no it was so good idea. It pointed the direction of the floor and decided that it could go to
see it to first hour in the morning. The element surprise was from crucial impor-tancia. It
would give certain advantage him, that it needed.
It removed one bottle and used to a whiskey with water and ice. Generally it did not drink,
but nece-sitaba a drink. It could lose to Antonia by something more than its own one pride.
And it was scared for the first time in all its life.
It imagined that Antonia would not begin to work immediately, and guessed right. When it
called to timbre at noon of the following day, after one night in candle, was she who opened
the door. Barrie had had to leave.
When seeing it in threshold of the apartment, sor-prendió as much that it did not know what
to do. Powell it took advantage of the opportunity to enter and to close the door to his
backs.
-- What you are doing here?-- she asked, recovering.
It watched it with full eyes of preoccupation and pain. It took a jersey, cattle tenders and
socks, and it seemed thin much more. One hated to itself and its daughter to have caused to
him so many sufri-mientos.
--He spoken with doctor Harris -- it said.
Obvious no it commented nothing on its father, because it did not want that one found out

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that it was to as much of which it happened.
Antonia it waned. Everything knew to it. It could see it in its face.
--No you had right a...
-- you Are who he does not have right -- espetó --. You do not have right to dejarte to die.
—¡I can do what wants with my life!-- it exclaimed.
--No.
—¡Márchate of here!
--No I think to do it. You are going to go to see médi-co. And it will be better than you begin
with treatment that puts to you. One is not about a request, but an order.
—¡You cannot to order nothing to me! ¡You straight do not have nin-gún on me!
-- Tengo straight that any human being must to avoid that another one commits suicide -- he
declared with tranquillity, watching it to eyes --. I am going to take care of of you. And I will
begin now same. Vístete. We are going to go to see doctor Claridge. I called it so that it
gave you hour before coming.
Antonia thought in thousand things simultaneously. All that was so sudden and so extreme
that no it knew what to do. It was limited to watch it.
Powell put hands on their shoulders and observed it with thoroughness.
-- Voy to take a Maggie to see Mrs. Jameson so that one apologizes. I know what it has
suce-dido. They will give back the work to you and you will be able to return to house.
Antonia it separated from him.
--Ya I do not have house -- espetó, without watching it to face --. I cannot return because my
father it would discover that I have leukemia. I cannot do something thus to him. The death of
my mother was on the verge of killing it, and to top it all, she lost his sister by a cancer. He
was something terrible. Long time in dying took. I cannot leave return to happen through a
seme-jante experience. Until I believe that I committed an error when returning to Bighorn. I
do not want that it knows it.
Powell could not to say to him that it already knew it. It put the hands in the pockets of the
trousers and it watched with intensity.
-- You need to be with people who take care of of you.
--Ya I am with people who take care of of me. Barrie is part of my family.
He did not know what to say; he did not have idea of how coming near to her. Jugueteó with
the currencies that it took in the pocket while it tried to find a form to convince it. But Anto-nia
noticed its indecision and it gave the back him.
--Si you were in my place, if one were your life, you would not leave anybody interfered with
-- con-tinuó.
-- But it would fight -- it said he, gotten upset by its resignation --. And you know it.
-- I know that you would do. After all, you have things by which to fight. Your daughter, your
health, your businesses...
Powell frunció the frown. Antonia observed its expression and laughed with bitterness
before continuing.
-- He is that not it you include/understand? I do not have anything reason why to fight. ¡I do
not have anything! My father me he wants, but he is everything what I have. I rise in the
morning, I am going to work, attempt to educate children whom they prefer to make any
thing before to make its duties... Later, return to house, I have supper and I read a book
before to go me to the bed. Thus it is my life. Excepting to Barrie, not even I have more
friends.
Defeated, it seated in the edge of an armchair while it put the face between the hands.
Almost it felt alleviated now that knew somebody more to it, although did not want to admit it.
After all, to Powell it would not matter to speak to him on its con-dición because it did not
mean for him.
-- I am tired, Powell. The disease is winning to me. Lately I feel so weak that I almost cannot
do nothing. No longer it matters to me what happens. The treatment me it scares more than
the idea to die. In addition, I am not any right to follow living. I only want that this finishes.

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Powell it watched more and more scared. Nun-ca had observed somebody so defeated.
With that attitude, none treatment would serve. One had surrendered.
It remained , contemplating it while res-piraba with difficulty, trying there to find something
that to say, something that served to help it, to animate it to present/display it battles. But it
did not know what to do.
-- there is nothing that you want, Antonia? It must exist some reason that can ayudarte a to
resist.
--No. You I thank for much that there are recorri-do all the way to only see me, but you could
haberte saved the trip. I have already made a decision. Single Déjame, Powell.
-- Dejarte single...-- it repeated --. That is exactamen-te what there am been doing during
nine mal-ditos and lengths years.
He was furious. It wanted to begin to throw things to the ground, to burst its apparent calm
with force of its emotions.
Antonia it inclined towards ahead and it left his length and silky hair covered its face.
--No you lose stirrups. I cannot fight. Too much I am tired.
The attitude defeatist of Antonia he was so extra-ña in her that Powell was destroyed. I
make kneel before its old fiancèe, it took hold it by the wrists and it attracted it towards
himself so that it had to watch it. Their black eyes nailed in the grays of professor.
Known --He a people who had leuce-mia. With the present treatment, you can live many
years. And meanwhile, they can encon-trar a definitive treatment. She is one madness to
renun-ciar, without taking advantage of the opportunity at least to live.
Antonia escudriñó its eyes with an anguish that was there been during many years.
Con-siguió to loosen a hand and caressed its face. A complexion that always had loved. It
caressed its curled hair, his populated and black eyebrows, the nose that it had broken in
the past, and was descen-diendo towards its chin. It felt that Powell ten-saba the muscles,
and that its glance ignited. It observed it with attention, breathing with great difficulty.
It took its hand and it attracted it towards its cheek. The expression of Antonia denoted a
deep one sadness.
-- Still me masters -- he said --. Think that I do not know it?
It wanted to deny it, but already it had sense. It smiled with sadness and it answered:
Certain --Es. You master. I never left of amarte and I will never let do it. But everything has its
end, Powell. Until the life.
It caressed his mouth while it observed it with surprise. Later, it stopped its hand again.
-- the things no they thus must why be. I can obtain a today same license. We can to marry to
us before three days.
Antonia felt the temptation to answer affirmatively.
-- Thanks -- it said, sincerely --. That signi-fica for me much more of which you can believe,
considering the circumstances. But I will not marry with you. I cannot darte nothing.
-- Tienes rest of your life, lasts what lasts.
-- Not -- it said with broken voice.
It was doing a effort not to cry. It twisted the head and it tried to rise, but he it prevented it.
-- You can live with me. I will take care of of you. Con-seguiré everything what you need. The
best médi-cos, the best treatments.
--El money no it can buy the life -- it said --. The cancer is something too serious.
-- That is not certain. The rich ones are cured almost always. But it lets speak that way. ¡It
leaves of being defeatist! You can overcome nobody obs-táculo if you try it -- it said,
embracing it.
-- Creo that that it sounds to me. You remember your beginnings? They always said you that
you would not arrive a no part with a stallion young person and five cows. And you
remember what you said? You said that everything was possible -- it declared with calidez
--. I believed to you. I never doubted that you would obtain it. Eras so proud, even when you
did not have anything, that you would have fought against anyone with so following ahead.
She was one of things that admired more in you.

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Powell it moved. Its heart was contracted, as if they had crossed it. One rose, one
separated from her and it put the hands in the pockets.
-- But I surrendered with you, it is not truth? A few rumors, a few lies and I destroyed your
life.
Antonia was watched the hands. They were speaking at least of the happened thing, and
finally, it admitted truth. Perhaps outside easier for both if they could forget the past.
-- Sally was enamored with you -- she said, trying to find an excuse for behavior of its friend
--. The love causes that people make things strange.
--La hated. I hated every day that estu-vimos together, and still more when it said to me that
it was embarrassed of Maggie -- it sighed with slowness --. God mine, Annie, I am suffered
with my own daughter because not even I am sure that she is mine. And never I will be able
to be it. Although outside, whenever I watch it I see its mother.
-- the things you they were enough good if me -- it said without malicia --. You raised a farm
and you did a fortune. You have obtained influence, and that they respect to you.
-- But to the price of perderte. High a dema-siado price.
-- Maggie is one shining girl -- it said with uncertainty --. It cannot be so bad. Julie it wants.
--Ya no. All world is gotten upset with her by to have obtained that they threw to you. Julie no
it wants to speak with her.
-- What pity. She is a girl and it needs love. Antonia had been thinking much about the
happened thing during the last weeks.
-- What you want to say?
She smiled. It began to include/understand with clarity the reasons of the behavior of the
young person.
-- She is that not you DAS counts? She is single, Powell, like you to its age. It does not fit
with the others children. It is always separated, separated. Com-porta with as much
belligerence by fault of its solitude.
Its face it hardened.
-- I always am very occupied.
-- Cúlpame to me, or to Sally. But you do not blame your daughter reason why it happened in
the past -- it requested --. If something good leaves all this, I hope that it is for Maggie.
--Oh, God mine, it finishes speaking Santa Anto-nia -- it declared with sarcasm, shamed by
how it treated his daughter --. There are lost the work by its fault and your you insist on which
it deserves affection.
-- Because it is certain. I must have been sweeter with her. But also it remembered Sally to
me. Unconsciously it moved away it of me, although it was not of deliberate form. One girl as
Julie is let want, because she gives love with great gene-rosidad. But Maggie is introvert
and it does not trust easily. It cannot give love to the others por-que does not know how to do
it. It must learn.
Powell thought about it during seconds.
—In agreement. If it needs it, you can come to house with me and teach to me to do it.
Antonia it observed with affection.
-- Unfortunately, no longer I can do nothing. Neither with her nor with my father, nor with you. I
will remain with Barrie until no longer it can do nothing, and then...
In that moment, Powell took it in its bra-zos and it kissed it on the neck. It did not say
anything, but it could listen to its difficult breathing. It embraced it with much force, as if that
was facing a terrible pain des-trozara by inside.
--No I will leave die -- espetó --. You have heard to me? I will not allow it.
Antonia happened the arms around their neck and were let take. Now it knew that it was
important for Powell, although it went to its way, and it felt it by him. It had accepted its
disease por-que knew it weeks ago, but it was it known that same day, or perhaps the
previous day.
-- Supongo that all this is at night in which you took me bar to that, is not certain?-- pre-guntó
with tranquillity --. You do not have sentirte cul-pable reason why you said. I know that these

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years have not been easy either for you. No longer I keep resentment to you. I do not have
time. During the last weeks, I have learned to see the things with certain perspective.
Hatred, culpability, fury, vengan-za... Everything becomes insignificant when one knows that
the time is limited.
Powell tightened the arms on her. It let take it from a side to another one and one stopped,
frozen by the fear.
--Si you begin with the treatment, you can have an opportunity.
-- Yes. I can to live day to day, but the fear will per-manecerá. The radiation will make me
feel worse, per-deré the hair and I will lose a minimum quality of life.
Powell breathed deeply and con-tra rubbed she. It watched it with great been on awares,
scared.
-- I will be with you and I will help you. The life is too precious as to throw it by bor-da -- it
said, while it kissed it on neck --. Cása-te with me, Annie. And although only alive a few
weeks, we will at least have beautiful memories that to take us to eternity.
Su voice sounded low and sensual. It finished of to say most beautiful than it had never said
to him. Antonia was on the verge of crying.
-- What you say?-- he asked, in a whisper.
Antonia did not say nothing. The temptation was so great that it could not resist. It could not
say that no, although it suspected on its reasons.
--Te desire -- he continued he --. I wish you more than what it has wished you in all my life, ill
or no. I gave that you will marry with me. Dilo.
If one treated of something simply physical, she was not safe to have to accept. But no it
could move away again of him. It tightened the arms around its neck and said:
--Si you are surely, if you are so safe...
-- I am safe.
Powell observed their tearful eyes and put the lips on them before lowering towards their
mouth. It kissed it slowly and smoothly, obtaining an immediate res-puesta. After seconds, it
began to make it with enthusiasm and inten-sidad, but it separated because that one was
not moment for the passion, but for the tenderness.
--Si you respond a treatments, if the remote possibility that exists you are saved, I give you
son.
It was a play teacher. Antonia watched it with surprise, as if he had become crazy from
repen-te. Their pale eyes escudriñaron it with incer -- tidumbre.
-- you do not want to have a son, Antonia?-- con-tinuó he --. Before you wanted. You did not
speak of another thing when we were it jeopardize. I am sure that you will not have resigned
to so dream.
Antonia ruborizó. One was a too intimate subject. It separated the glance and it
contemplated its skirt.
--No you follow.
-- Us we will marry -- it said with firmness.
--A your daughter no it will like to have to me in your house, lives the time that lives.
-- It will be better than it is accustomed. Tenerte can there be the best thing than it has
happened to him in all his life. But it lets speak on her. I have already said to you that not
even I believe that be my daughter. It is that you think that you are the unique one that paid a
high price? I married with an alcoholic one, that hated to me because it did not want to touch
it. Maggie said to me that she was not mine, who was of another man.
Antonia tried to separate, but he not it per-mitió. It embraced it with force, without letting
watch it.
--Te I said that I believed when it accused to you of acostarte with George, but was not
certain. And from there everything was lies...
It loosen it and it walked towards the window with the hands in the pockets.
-- Vivi' authentic hell -- he continued --. Has-ta that died, and even later. I create to remember
that you said that you did not support to have to Maggie in your class because you it brought

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memories, and me acu-saste being cruel. But also it happens to me to me.
behavior of the girl began to have a tragic sense. Its mother not it he had wished, and his
father did not want it. Nobody loved it. Antonia was not surprised of which outside
pro-blemática.
--Se seems much to Sally -- she said.
-- Of course. But it is not looked nothing like me, does not seem to you?
Antonia could not to discuss it, although it to it would have liked. It walked towards the
window, where it was he. The pain and the anguish of the existence that had taken reflected
with clarity in its gesture. It seemed greater of which it was in fact.
-- we have committed many stupid errors in our youth, Antonia. I did not believe to you, and
that you it hurt so much that you left. I spent the years trying to convince to me that Sally had
not lain, because it could not support the idea of to have destroyed everything what loved.
To admit the own faults is not so easy. I fought with nails and teeth to avoid it, but in the end I
had to yield.
-- Careci'amos experience.
-- Nevertheless, I did not try to use the last name of your father. I never tried to make such
thing.
Antonia did not say nothing.
Powell it approached a little more. She was watching the ground, so that their legs lle-naron
the field of vision. They were long, muscular and powerful legs by having spent hours and
hours working to horse.
-- It was solitaire. I grew in the poverty, with a father who gambled the little money that
tenía-mos and a mother who was scared of which she left it. It was a childhood very it lasts.
Only que-ría to leave the poverty, not to return to pass hunger -- he continued --. She wanted
that people realized of which she existed.
--Y you obtained it. You have everything what you wanted. Money, power and prestige.
-- But it had another thing that also wished. To you.
—Something that no longer you wish.
--Te you mistake. I wish you more than what she has never wished no woman. Always there
am it known.
-- But only physically.
--No you make fun of of that. I am sure that at this point already you would have learned to
where can llevarte the passion.
Antonia watched it with deep innocence. Powell gave back to its surprised glance and
con-tuvo breathing.
-- No?
Powell took hold one of its hands and smoothly caressed it with the thumb. It could
contemplate blue veins that crossed their back.
--Yo I cannot to say the same -- he continued he --. It would not have supported all these
years without being with a woman once in a while.
-- Supongo that it is different for the men.
--No, only stops some. And for some muje-res also. But all was you at heart. They served to
alleviate my pain during minutes.
Antonia it caressed his dark hair, cold under his fingers, clean and with scent to champú.
-- Abrázame -- it requested he, taking hold it by cin-tura --. So I am scared as you.
Those words surprised it. When it was able to react, it caressed its hair.
--No I think to leave you die, Antonia -- su-surró.
--El treatment it scares to me -- it confessed.
--Si was with you, it would scare less to you?-- it asked with smoothness, observing it --.
Por-que I think to be with you.
--No, not me it would scare so much. Powell smiled with dulzura.
--La leukemia no he is necessarily fatal. The progress of the disease can be stopped during
many years. You will put and together podre-mos better to have a son.

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The tears they covered the face with Antonia.
--Si I have to initiate a treatment with radiation I doubt that it can have children.
Powell no it wanted to think about it. It took its hand and it kissed it.
-- Hablaremos with the doctor and asegu-raremos us.
It was like living a dream. Antonia let worry and think. Their eyes looked for watched of
Powell, and for the first time in long time, smiled.
-- Of agreement?-- he asked. It agreed.
Of agreement.

Chapter 16
THE DOCTOR Claridge was not too opti-mista with respect to the possibilities that it had of
to be pregnant.
--No can to remain pregnant while it is under the effects of the treatment -- explained with
patience, although detested to be carrying of the bad news.
-- and later?-- she asked, grasping the hand of Powell.
--No I can to promise nothing. It has a type of little normal blood, which complica the things.
-- a type of little normal blood? I thought that zero positive one was quite habitual.
--No has zero positive. Antonia was surprised.
-- Doctor Claridge, I know the type of san-gre very well that I have. I had an accident when
she was an adolescent and had to do a trans-fusión to me. You remember it, truth, Powell? I
fell of the bicycle and I underwent a cut in the leg by fault of one it barks that there was next to
the house.
Certain --Es, memory.
-- It can to verify it with doctor Harris -- Antonia continued, watching at doctor --. Con-firmará
what I have said.
The doctor frunció the frown and verified of nue-vo the results of the analyses.
--No can be. This one is its file. He is infor-me that they sent to me of the laboratory. names
agree.
The doctor called to the intercom to verify the exactitude of the report with the enfer-mera,
that he appeared immediately.
-- we have done some analysis of blood to Antonia in the past?-- it asked --. In infor-me no it
puts nothing.
-- Not -- it answered nurse.
-- Then hazle one immediately. Here block is something not me.
-- Yes, Sir.
The nurse he later marched and he returned a minute with the equipment necessary to do
analysis. It extracted the blood to him in a matter of seconds.
-- Dése haste. Llévelo to the laboratory. I want that they send the results in the morning to
me.
-- Yes, Sir.
The doctor he directed then to his patient.
--No becomes too many illusions. It can which the type of blood is mistaken, but not
diagnosis. Nevertheless, we will verify it. Meanwhile it will be better than let us hope see you
tomorrow to make decisions. It can call to me about the ten. By then already I will know
something.
--Lo I will do. Thank you very much.
-- Recuerde, no wait for too much. Antonia smiled.
--No worry.
Of all forms... It has been in contact with some ill person of mononucleosis lately?
-- Yes. One of my students had it weeks ago. Memory that her mother very was worried. Only
it is ten years old -- it laughed with nervousness.

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-- Entro' contact with its saliva, of some way?
-- Good, no I must by custom that way kiss my students.
-- Antonia...him it recriminated Powell.
-- Compartimos refreshment -- she continued she. The doctor smiled.
-- Either, or. The possibility that fits we are mistaking to us, because the mononucleosis and
leukemia looks like enough in the symptoms. It is possible that some technician of
laboratory mez-clara the test resultses.
-- it could have been an error?-- she, esperanzada asked.
-- It can be. Of all forms, we cannot ignore its other symptoms.
-- Good, to less now I have a hope. Which are the symptoms of the mononucleosis?
-- Such that those of the leukemia. Debi-lidad, dry throat, fatigue, fever... And it is alta-mente
contagious -- it sentenced, watching Powell.
Powell smiled.
--No me it would matter.
-- I know how it feels -- it laughed doctor --. Very well, it vayase to house, Antonia. We will
know something by tomorrow. In the laboratory they have much cui-dado, but anyone can to
be mistaken.
-- Espero that have mistaken in this oca-sión -- Antonia said.
When they left, Powell took it from the hand and it kissed it with smoothness.
—I believe that it would not absolutely matter to me to pillar one mononucleosis -- he
commented.
—Nor to me -- it smiled.
-- You are safe of which your type of blood is zero positive?
-- Of course.
In such case, it crosses the fingers and it says. But now we are going to eat something.
Later we can leave a to give a return in the car.
Of agreement.
Powell took it to its hotel to eat something in the restaurant and later they went the city. They
went to the national monument of Saguaro and could contemplate the cactus giant. The air
was fresh, but the sun shone and Antonia felt much more esperanzada that before.
They did not say nothing. Powell was limited to embrace it with force while in the radio of the
car music songs escu-chaban country.
When they returned to the apartment, Barrie was in house. When seeing Powell it was
surprised much, but the expression of its faces caused that it smiled.
-- Good the news, I hope -- it said.
-- Hopefully -- it said Antonia.
Barrie frunció the frown. Antonia included/understood that her friend did not know what it had
happened.
-- Vamos a to marry to us -- Powell announced.
-- Of truth?-- it asked, surprised.
-- Creo to remember that you said yes that. Think that I want to have children with you being
unmarried?-- it laughed --. I do not have no intention to make such thing.
—¡Nor I!
In such case, I am glad to much -- espetó son-riendo with dulzura.
Antonia contained to the breathing when feeling fuer-za of its glance and shook of feet a the
head. Its life was on the verge of beginning again.
Barrie smiled of ear ear.
-- I can felicitaros?
-- It can?-- it asked Powell.
Antonia doubted. Perhaps it thought that Powell only wished it, although also felt pity by she.
Not yet it was had customary to the idea that it could die. And its possible ones deep
reasons troubled it. Nevertheless, it was enamored with him and no it found what there was
of bad in the marriage. If they had sufi-ciente time, perhaps it would learn to love it.

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--Te I will say it tomorrow -- it answered. Powell watched it.
-- Everything will leave well. I know it.
Antonia no she was so safe. It was scared to feed hopes, but it did not discuss with he.
-- Tonight they put a good film in the television, in case you want quedaros -- it informed
Barrie to Powell --. I thought that it could make palo-mitas.
-- As it wants Antonia. Her friend smiled.
--A me I would like to have left I -- she said.
Powell took off the tejano hat and smiled.
-- Very well. In such case, pon mantequilla in my popcorn.
Chapter 17
IT WAS THE NIGHT longer of the life of Antonia. Powell left to the hotel to midnight, and she
one put in the counted bed without having to his friend the happened thing to him to the
doctor.
To the morning following, when Barrie mar-chó to work, rose and it got dressed. Powell one
appeared to nine, and by then already it was wishing to see the doctor. No it wanted to find
out by telephone something so important. And apparently, he either.
They arrived at it consults in the morning to ten. They seated in the waiting room and waited
patiently because a emer-gencia had arisen. After awhile, doctor left and he invited them to
a coffee. They did not have to ask nothing in absolute. Its open smile answered any
question.
-- Tiene zero positive, so and as had said -- the doctor informed, observing them while they
embraced --. Still more, I called to the laboratory don-de had done first analyses and
comu-nicaron me that they had dismissed the culprit of the error, because apparently it was
not the first time that did. They are very professional, and in cues-tiones medical east type of
things cannot be allowed.
-- Thanks a God -- she sighed.
-- Siento that have had to happen through all this -- one apologized.
-- They would have to give me a slap. If it had wanted to initiate the treatment before, would
be des-cubierto the error and would not have been so preo-cupada.
-- Good, of all forms I have the bad news -- it said without letting smile --. So and as it had
suspected, it suffers mononucleosis.
The doctor Claridge explained the complica-ciones to him of the disease and it warned to
him on contagious that was.
In certain occasion, I saw how everything was infected a school -- it remembered --.
Sometimes it is necessary to happen weeks and weeks in the bed, but I do not believe that
it is necessary in its case. Not him it will make waste too much working time.
--No has to worry for that reason -- it said Powell --. One is going away to marry with me, and
if it does not want to work, it will not have why to do it. Of all forms I do not believe that it
matters to him to pass sema-nas in bed to get rid of the infection.
Antonia watched it and when observing its smile com-prendió that it tried to marry with her in
spite of new diagnosis. It did not understand in the beginning why it insisted on it, but later it
thought that it did because it had given its word. Now no longer it would leave that one lay
down back. Their pride and its honor were so important in their perso-nalidad like its
obstinacy.
-- We will speak on it later -- Antonia --. said Doctor Claridge, I do not have words stops to
thank for its efforts.
--Me it cheers knowledge that this time we have guessed right with its diagnosis. These
things happen of time in when, but they can have trá-

gicas consequences. In certain laboratory, committed an error years ago and caused the
suicide of man, who believed to be dying. By general norm, we animated to people a that a
second analysis is made of blood to assure to us. If a had come see me before, we would
have made it.

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Antonia ruborizó.
--, Yes good, I will try to be more responsible in the future. Consider that was very scared.
-- a reaction very human. Cuídese. If tie-ne some problem, hágamelo to know.
-- Vamos a to return to Bighorn -- Powell --. informed But doctor Harris will be will put itself in
contact with outside necessary you if.
-- Harris is good man -- doctor --. said Very it was worried when it called to me. One will be
glad when it knows the news.
-- I am safe of it. I will call it as soon as it arrives at house -- it said Antonia.
When they left of the building, Antonia detu-vo in the sidewalk to watch his around, with new
eyes.
-- Pense' that there was lost everything -- it said, watching people, the trees and the distant
ones mountains --. It had rendered to me, but now everything is new and wonderful.
Powell took hold its hand and tightened it.
-- Hopefully it had known before.
-- Era my problem, not yours -- it smiled.
Powell did not say nothing. By its behavior, it suspected that it wanted to lie down back in
the one of marriage. But it was on the verge of discovering that it would be more
complicated from what pen-saba. It had it and it did not think to let escape it.
—If you have hunger, we can go to eat or to take something, corno you prefer. But before
nothing, we will be in charge to buy your medicines.
Then, it took the prescription guar-dó in a pocket.
After to buy medicines, they went to the hotel and they raised in the elevator luxurious suite
that occupied Powell, with views to the desert of Sonant.
-- We can eat here. That way, ten-dremos the opportunity to speak in private -- di-jo he --.
But first I want to call to your father.
-- To my father? Why?
-- Because it knows.
-- How it is possible?
--Lo I forced a to call to doctor Harris. Both we knew that something walked bad. It wanted to
come a Tucson, but we considered that it was better than you did not know it.
Powell called a Horseradish tree and communicated to him that everything had been an
error and of which only had mononucleosis. Later, it said to Antonia that it wanted to speak
with her.
Antonia took earpiece and greeted it.
-- Hello, papa. No it knew that you were to as much.
-- Powell did not move backwards until it found out the truth. It has been an error? It is known
with certainty?
-- Yes, thanks a God -- it answered, alleviated --. Very it was scared.
--No eras only. But it is the mara-villosa news. Really wonderful. When regre-sas? There is
this Powell to you that Maggie thinks to con-tar the truth? You will be able to recover your
job.
Antonia watched a Powell, that was observán-dola with attention.
-- Not yet I know nothing. I will call to you within a pair of days for contarte what it has
decided, in agreement?
Of agreement. Thank heavens that you are well -- it said --. I have spent two days horrible,
Antonia.
--Yo also. We will speak soon. I want much to you, papa.
--Y I to you.
Antonia hung and it observed his old fiancè.
-- Teni'as to interfere...
-- Clear. I am in agreement with your father. To me I do not like the secrets either.
Without leaving of to watch it, took off the hat. He was very attractive. Later, one undid of
jacket and of the necktie, undid shirt and took off, letting see it its chest cubier-to of black

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hair
The vision of his body woke up in her anti-guas passions.
-- What you are doing?-- it asked. Powell took off the belt and it seated in an armchair stops
immediately afterwards to take off the boots.
-- I am undressing to me -- it answered.
One rose and it walked towards her.
Antonia wanted to separate, but was too much late. It raised it and it took it in arms until
dormitory. When arriving it put it on the bed and it was placed on her, supported on its
arms.
-- Powell...
--Lo I feel -- it murmured, before kissing it.
In the past they had been always caressed with great passion, but later or more early Powell
found the way to lie down back. Their reserves had convinced it of which in fact it did not
love it.
But that time were no reserves; it completely kissed it of different way, with affection,
passion and certain violence. Antonia shook with emotions that did not have sense never,
not even with him. And meanwhile, it did not let caress it. Only oía its fast breathing and the
sound of its heart against its sines.
Not even it gave account of which almost it had undressed it. Too much it was concentrated
in pleasure that it gave him that it left acceded to its smooth and warm skin. It needed to feel
its mouth. And when the pleasure began to be more than what could support, one bent
against him.
Vaguely it noticed that cuer-po could feel all his. A simple one watched was enough so that
compren-diera that they were naked, without barriers that separated them. The hair of its
long ones legs caressed the thighs to him, while it eased up until arriving at privacy point
that had never shared.
Antonia felt panic and frost when noticing was had left its sex. But Powell kissed it with such
tenderness that it could not resist, without letting caress it, letting smile.
-- Calm -- it whispered he, raising the head to watch it --. It hurts to you?
Antonia it bit the lip and it answered:
-- Yes...
-- You are nervous and scared. I suppose that the first time hurts, but the pain will not last
much.
Powell watched it with affection and it kissed it sua-vemente.
-- This is one mistake -- she said.
—No, it is not it. But in case as much it worries to you, we are going to marry. You I assure
it.
-- Me you assure?-- it asked, feeling its sex.
—Yes. And I think darte a son, Antonia.
Powell began to move again, and this time, it moaned of pleasing. The movements fue-ron
accelerating itself little by little, until Antonia began to feel an internal fire that little by little it
went elevating it to unsuspected levels, ascending and ascending, as if it furrowed skies.
Powell no it seemed to feel guilty. When Antonia was on the awares and it watched it, after
to make the love, realized it. It was son-riendo, and the expression of his eyes caused that it
had desire to slap it. He was too innocent and conservative. The privacy of the position that
maintained and the memory of full minutes of passion that had shared were enough so that
ruborizara.
-- Supongo that now no longer you will have nothing in against of which we marry, right?-- it
asked he, separating a tuft from its hair --. Of to have made the love for nine years, nothing
bad would have happened. And it has been much more mara-villoso of which it had thought,
créeme. It had dreamed it so many times...
Antonia sighed and it observed it. Their black eyes were full of love. In its naivete, espe-raba
that culprit felt, but was not thus. To be in its arms was the plus natural of the world, most

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logical, most beautiful.
-- you do not think quejarte of anything?-- he asked, kissing it with smoothness --. You seem
preocu-pada.
--Lo I am -- it said --. Nonvolume no anti-conceptivo.
Powell smiled.
-- Far better.
-- But to have left I embarrassed so soon...
--Ya is late. It remembers that you have twenty-seven years.
--Lo I know, but you must think about Maggie -- it said --. It does not support to me. It will not
want to have to me in your house, and much less to have to support to a new boy. He will be
very hard for her.
--Ya us we will face the obstacles that arise by the way.
Powell observed its body and desire encen-dió in its interior. It began to kiss it and a to
caress it. When it felt that Antonia estreme-cía, it kissed it with renewed efforts.
-- We can to do it again?-- he asked, of provocative form --. It will hurt to you?
Like only answer, Antonia tightened con-tra he and left entered its body. Later, it directly
watched it at the eyes and it contained the breathing when it began to move.
Powell it observed and one stopped during seconds while it entered her. Antonia it moaned,
attracting it towards himself with his hands. He smiled slowly and he covered it with kisses.
Existen-cia had not felt so masculine in all his; the moaned ones of the professor excited it. It
closed the eyes and it was given to the supreme act of love.
Chapter 18
Much more late they ate and they went to the apartment of Barrie. The friend of Antonia only
she needed simple a cautious one to include/understand the happened thing. Quickly it
embraced it.
-- Congratulations. I said that con-seguirías someday to you.
-- Teni'as reason.
Antonia him it counted then the true right that it had been to return to Embedes in a wall. To
to know it, Barrie had to seat. Their green eyes watched it with surprise absolute, worried
about hell by which it had had to happen, in complete solitude.
-- Why not me you said it?
-- By the same one reason for which it did not mean it to me to me -- answered Powell with
irony --. It did not want that we worried.
—He will be stupid... It would have forced to you to that you went to see the doctor --
continued Barrie.
-- Indeed for that reason you I did not say it. Although it had intention of confesártelo later or
more early.
-- Vaya, many thanks.
-- You would have fact the same. Or perhaps you would have been worse -- Antonia said,
smiling to his friend --. Now you will have to come to the wedding.
-- When it celebrates?
-- The day after tomorrow to ten, in the court of Tucson -- Powell --. laughed I have obtained
the license and doctor Claridge has made the analyses of san-gre, so that we will return a
Bighorn with the put ring.
-- Good, already you know that I have a free room.
Powell did gesture of negation with the head.
-- Thanks, but Antonia is mine now -- it said of possessive form, observing with
apasiona-miento a its fiance'e --. I do not think to lose it of Vista.
--Lo I include/understand -- Barrie --. said Good, te-néis plans for tonight or you want to see
una film with me? They put a new one in the cinema that there is near house.
-- By me, perfect -- Antonia, watching at Powell said.
-- they always have to me pleased the dramas -- it said he.
Antonia was so tired between its enfer-medad and the loving games that had shared that it

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could not make the love, so that Powell considered that to see a film it could be a perfect
form to kill the time, siem-pre and when they were together. Its health worried to him, but
later, Antonia said that already it would rest when they arrived at Bighorn.
During projection of the film, did not loosen the hand of loved his. Later they slept jun-tos and
it did not separate from their arms. Powell had still not said to him that it lands on water, but
it was at least evident that it wished it. It thought with time that also the love would arrive.
Nevertheless, it worried to think to him about how a went to take it Maggie it when it knew it;
mainly, when they had the son who they wanted. They had not taken any precaution, although
it had the impression that it was soon to remain pregnant. In any case, Powell did not think
about his daughter. It only thought about recovering the lost time, the years that had
happened vainly. But Antonia no it could to avoid to worry about the future that it waited for
it.
The ceremony of the wedding was simple, but worthy. Antonia put a color dress cream and
one pamela with a veil that covered its face. When the judge named husband and woman,
Powell raised the veil and she watched it during seconds before kissing it. Nobody had
kissed it of that way previously. A simple one watched his black eyes were enough so that
estre-meciera. It loved it more than ever.
Barrie was godmother of weddings; and sheriff that was in the played ones, the padrino.
They signed all the papers and they gave the act them, with the date and the hour of
wedding. Finally, they had married.
To the day following, they returned to Bighorn in the Mercedes de Powell. He was tenser
than during the three previous days, and Antonia supposed that it had that to his body not
yet one had recovered of the loving excesses. One felt far better, but the privacy, by small
that was, was to him bothers. Powell had to him insured who was something perfectly
normal in the women, and who the light one irritation desapa-recería, but whenever it
watched it did with an intense one desire. They had initiated a new relation and Antonia
hated to have to deny to him that it wished. Mainly considering that thought that he was the
unique thing that him it could give.
When they arrived to the border of Wyoming, hours later, Powell one went to her.
--No you worry. The world has not been ter-minado because not yet you can return to do love
with me.
-- It was thinking about you, not in me -- it corrected, absent.
Powell watched towards the highway.
-- Pense' that you it pleased acostarte with me.
Antonia watched it and account occurred of which without trying it had hurt it his pride.
-- Of course that I like. But I believe that not yet I know satisfacerte. I mean that...
--No it matters -- it said he, amused --. I suppose that you are thinking about which I said. In
which it could not live without laying down to me with a woman. But it referred years to me of
abstention, Antonia, not to days.
--Oh.
Powell laughed.
—You are so innocent like when you were die-ciocho years old.
--Ya no.
-- Good, no as much -- it said, taking hold one of its hands while it lead --. But everything is
coming out well, affection. And it will be still better. You do not worry.
-- What has of Maggie?-- she asked.
The gesture of Powell became hardened.
-- Deja me I worry.
Antonia did not say nothing. Nevertheless, it had the impression that that one was going to
be a source permanent of problems.
As soon as they arrived, stopped in house of the father of Antonia, to inform to him on
suce-dido. The news fell like a pump.
-- you have yourselves married?-- Horseradish tree --. asked Without saying it to me?

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Without inviting me to the wedding?
-- It was idea mine -- Powell, attracting it towards himself --. confessed It did not want that
one regreted.
Horseradish tree Hayes watched it during seconds. Nevertheless, it could not forget that
Powell was had ordered of everything when she knew that her daughter was ill. That meant
that it had anger, and that wanted it.
-- Good, both you are greater to know what you do -- said grudgingly, before smiling a its
daughter, who observed it with insecurity --. I believe that I will take an enormous one joy if
as result of your union you surprise to me with a few grandsons.
-- you will have -- Antonia --. promised Incluyen-do to a very crecidita one, to begin.
Powell frunció the frown. One talked about Maggie. Antonia watched it and smiled.
-- Speaking of king of Rome, will be better than we leave, does not seem to you?
Horseradish tree agreed and it narrowed the hand of Horseradish tree.
-- Cuidare' of she -- it promised to him.
Horseradish tree remained seconds in silence, after which it said:
-- Yes, I know that you will do.
They raised car and advanced towards the man-sión of Powell, that was located at the top
of one overwhelms, with views to near mountains. Several trees flanked house, and the
cattle pastaba in the near fields. In the old times, mansion had been a simple cabin of
broken tile roof and semiderruído porch.
-- Of course, you have improved much, Powell.
He did not watch it. A button pressed so that the door of the garage was opened. Later it
parked in the interior. Until the garage he was great and extensive.
-- Within minutes I will return to gather your luggage -- he said, helping it to leave --.
Re-cuerdas to Going Bats? That one my master of keys. One is in charge to take care of the
house.
-- Going?-- it smiled --. She was one of best ami-gas of my mother. They sang meetings in
the choir of church.
-- Because she it continues doing it. They entered the kitchen. Going Bats was there. To to
see them occurred the return and observed Antonia, surprised.
-- we have ourselves married in Tucson -- Powell --. announced So that I present/display the
new lady of the house.
Going dropped the spoon in the food that was preparing and ran to embrace to Antonia with
sincere affection.
—¡You cannot imaginarte the happy thing that I am! ¡What surprise!
-- Also there is it be for us -- murmu-ró she, watching its husband, who smiled.
Then, Going one separated and it watched at Powell with preoccupation.
-- Maggie is in its room. It has not left in all the day and refuses to prove mouthful.
Antonia it felt person in charge by the torment of the girl. Powell noticed it and tightened
teeth before tending a hand to him.
-- Subamos stops to notify good to him.
--No you hope nothing of her -- Going murmured.
The door of dormitory of Maggie was closed. Powell not even called. It opened, and
Anto-nia it entered with him.
Maggie was sitting in the ground with a book. It had the dirty hair and it gave the impression
of that there was been sleeping several days with the clothes that took. When seeing a
Antonia, their eyes shone with terror. One rose and it backed down until leaning in one of
posts of the bed.
-- What you it happens?-- his father with coldness asked.
-- It is... real?
-- Clear that I am real -- Antonia answered.
-- Oh -- it said Maggie, calmer --. You are ill really?
-- Yes, but no as much as we thought -- con-testó Powell, without more introductions --. It

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was an error. It has a less serious disease, and it will be put well.
Maggie a little, although nondema-siado relaxed.
—We have married -- his father --. announced A to start off of now will live with us, so I hope
that you behave well with her.
The girl no she reacted. Their blue eyes were cla-varon in Antonia.
Maggie thought that Antonia would be much more happy in that house of which she it it had
been in all its life. It watched its father of such form that the professor wanted to cry. Powell
did not seem to notice the anguish of its glance.
It wanted to request to him that it embraced it, that kissed it, that said to him that it wanted it,
that nothing would change after the marriage. But Powell did not do it. It watched at its
daughter with such seriousness that Antonia com-prendió perfectly what it had said. It did
not know Maggie and it was suffered with her. Something that Maggie noticed. Its attitude
was secre-to a voices.
-- Tendre' to have left I in the bed during certain time, Maggie -- Antonia --. declared Me it
would enchant that you could read something once in a while to me.
It walked towards book that was in the ground and gathered it.
-- Volvera's a to be my professor?-- it asked.
-- Not -- it answered Powell with firmness --. At the moment, it has enough with recovering.
Antonia smiled with caution. If it wanted to recover its work in the school it was going to have
to fight with nails and teeth.
-- But of all forms, you and I will see Mrs. Jameson -- he continued he --. You do not believe
that there am forgotten the happened thing.
Maggie raised the chin and watched its father.
--Ya there am it fact.
-- How?
--He spoken with Mrs. Jameson -- con-testó, watching it --. I said to him that it had lain on
young lady Hayes and I apologized.
Powell was made an impression.
-- You went a to see it single you?
The girl she agreed.
--Lo I feel -- it added, going to Antonia.
-- you have been very brave when going single you -- professor --. declared You were not
scared?
Maggie no it answered. It was limited to shrink of shoulders.
--No you leave that book in the ground -- his father --. ordered Ah, and I want that you bathe
and that you cam-bies of clothes.
-- Yes, papa -- it answered with sadness.
Antonia observed to the girl while it gathered the book of the ground. It would have liked to
be able to do something to take part and to correct the situation; to say something that
animated to Maggie, that erased that expression distressed of its face.
But Powell removed it from the room before it could to say nothing. Nevertheless, she was
deci-dida to obtain that the things changed.
The relation between Antonia and Maggie it had been deteriorated by the happened thing in
the past, but now the professor was arranged to correct old errors. Finally, it
included/understood pala-bras of Powell. The girl had paid a high price, lack of love.
Perhaps not it it wanted. Nevertheless, Maggie needed somebody that fought by her in that
house. And Antonia was arranged to be its defender.
Chapter 19
ANTONIA it approached Powell as soon as they estu-vieron together in the main dormitory.
-- Never there are it prisoner?-- it asked with smoothness --. You have never kissed it, nor
you have said to him much that you are glad to see it?
Powell was put tense.
-- Maggie is not the type of girl who needs to receive affection of the adults.

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Its attitude it surprised.
-- I am safe of which you will not believe in serious what there are saying, right?-- it asked.
It watched it of such form that felt incó-modo.
--Ni at least I know if she is daughter mine -- it answered, esco-giendo the words to the
defensive.
-- It would matter as much that it was not it?-- pre-guntó --. It has lived with you since it was
born. You are his father, and you are responsible for which it happens to him. You have seen
it grow. I am safe that you feel something by her.
Powell it took hold of the wrist and it attracted it towards himself.
-- Quiero to have a son with you -- it said with sua-vidad --. I promise to you that I will want it
and that cui-daré. It will never need affection.
Antonia it caressed his cheek.
--Lo I know. I also I landed on water it, but Maggie also needs to us. You cannot give the
back him.
—Always I have fulfilled my responsibilities with her. I have never wanted that it passes it
bad, but never we maintained a good relation. And I do not believe that it goes to aceptarte.
Probably, already it will be thinking about some form to get rid of you.
-- that Can know better which you create -- it smiled --. In any case, I think amarte until you
get tired of me. I will fill of love this house, and later or more early you will want to your
daughter, because I am sure that at heart you want it.
Then it inclined on him and it kissed it until Powell let save moaning and it took it between its
arms, kissing it with enthusiasm, as if he was crazy.
Antonia it responded to his kisses until the fatigue forced it to lean in its chest.
-- Still you are very weak -- he, lleván-dola commented towards bed --. I will request to him to
Going that raises the supper to the room. Doctor Claridge said that you need to spend
certain time in bed, and that is what you are going to do now that you are in house.
-- Mandón...-- it joked.
Powell laughed and it inclined on her.
-- Only I am it when I must be it -- espetó, before kissing it.
In that moment, Maggie happened in front of the door of the dormitory. When listening the
laughter of his father knew that he was happy with Antonia and he felt single than ever. It
walked by the corridor, it lowered by the stairs and it arrived at the kitchen.
--No you stain mud ground -- it said to Going Bats --. I finish mopping.
Maggie did not say nothing. It left and it closed the door to its backs.
Antonia ate with Powell, in a tray. The things had changed so much that could love it openly,
observing that the coldness had disappeared of its attitude. It was a very different man.
But Maggie it worried. That night, Going took another tray with the supper, but Powell it had
had to leave, of way asked for Maggie to the master of keys.
--No I know where it has put -- it said, sorpren-dida --. It left before eating and it has not
returned.
-- and you are not worried? Only it is nine years old.
--La small it always goes to where it wants and when it wants. Probably, it will be in the
gra-nero. There are new head of cattle and it likes the animals. It will not go very far. It does
not have to where to go. But now, cómetelo everything. It will come to you well to eat
something warms up -- it smiled Going, before leaving --. If you need to me, llámame.
Antonia no it enjoyed the food. It was worried, although the others took it like if outside most
normal of the world.
One rose, it put cattle tenders, cal-cetines, slippers and a jersey. Later, it lowered by the
stairs and it walked towards the prin-cipal door. The barn was next to the house, to certain
distance by a quite dirty way. It was not had dice tells of the tired thing that it was, but the girl
worried to him. One was doing at night and it had disappeared many hours before.
The door of barn was half-opened.
It entered and it watched around until their eyes were accustomed to the dark. It walked by

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interior until it arrived at the small corral where found the bull calves that Going had
mencio-nado. Maggie was with them.
--No you have eaten nothing in all the day -- it said.
The girl she frightened. It watched the woman who so many problems had tired to him and
felt one jab in the stomach. Nobody had taken the annoyance to ask to him if it wanted to
eat. Ironic Resul-taba that his worse enemy worried about her.
-- you do not have hunger?-- it insisted. Maggie shrank of shoulders, watching it with its
great eyes blue.
Eaten --He one chocolatina -- it answered, evi-tando his glance.
Antonia entered with her and one seated on the hay, clean and smooth. Later it caressed to
one of the bull calves and smiled.
-- Tienen very smooth snout, does not seem to you?-- it asked --. Of small I wanted to have
an animal, but my mother was allergic to the dogs and the cats.
-- We no we have neither dogs nor cats. Mrs. Bates says that the animals are dirty.
-- That is not exactly thus. It only has to teach to them what one is due to do and what is not
due to do.
Maggie it shrank of shoulders.
—You like the head of cattle?
The girl she observed and she agreed.
—Yes, and I know everything to it on which my father raises.
—Really? Knows to it he?-- it asked, bending the eyebrows.
-- What plus gives. Me it hates because I am like my mother.
Antonia she surprised of which the girl was so perceptiva.
—But your mother had wonderful qualities -- she said --. When we were in the school, was
my better friend.
Maggie watched it.
-- Nevertheless, it cleared the fiancè.
—Yes. It said a lie, Maggie. Because ama-ba much to your father.
--No wanted to me. When papa was not in house stuck to me, and said that he was
unfortunate by my fault.
--No was fault yours -- it said with firmness.
—Nobody wants to me here -- continued the girl -- and now that there are come, my father
will throw to me...
-- Tendra' to happen over my corpse.
The girl she observed, quiets like a statue, as if she could not think what finished of to hear.
--Yo either you taste.
-- You are the daughter of Powell. And it master with madness. How it could hate to that it
comprises of he?
By first time, could notice the fear in the eyes of the girl.
-- you do not want that it marches to me?
-- Clear that no.
Maggie it bit the lip and it lowered the glance.
Of all forms, do not want to me here. Papa is of trip all along and Mrs. Bates he hates to
have to remain with me. It was better when I with Julie could have left, but now also it hates to
me because I obtained that you would des-pidieran to you.
Antonia felt a terrible anguish by the girl. It was asked if some adult, in all his life, would have
taken the annoyance to seat awhile with her to chat. Perhaps the Donalds young lady. And
perhaps, that one was the reason by which it threw as much of less.
-- You are too much young to understand certain things, but thanks to that you obtained that
me they dismissed I went to the doctor and I found out that not esta-ba as ill as it believed --
it smiled --. Your father forced to me to go to a consultation and, when me I marched, came
with me. Sometimes, it seems that the destiny exists. You already know, as if the things had
some sense, like if they were certain beforehand. Although they are not it. Of all for-mas, we

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would not have to always blame to people by its behavior. The life is like an enormous
examination that does more weaker forts to us or. You include/understand what you I say?
-- Yes.
Antonia smiled.
-- Salts of time in when with your father?
-- it never takes to me to no site.
The professor she included/understood the pain the girl well.
Of small it left much with my parents. We even went to the cinema. You want that...?
Suddenly it doubted. It did not want to press it too much.
-- Yes?-- it asked the girl, watching it.
-- Quieres that let us leave meetings sometimes?
The question it had an unexpected effect. The face of the young person was illuminated.
-- Single you and I?
--Al principle. Later, your father could come with us.
-- No longer you are gotten upset with me?
--No.
-- and not him it will concern papa?
-- Clear that not -- it smiled.
-- Good, in that case, I would like much -- di-jo, frunciendo frown --. But I cannot.
-- you cannot? Why?
Maggie it shrank of shoulders.
--No I have no pretty dress.
Antonia felt that the eyes filled to him of tears. It did not include/understand that Powell did
not have noticed the pain its daughter.
-- It goes...
The girl noticed anguish that was in its tone of voice. It observed its tears and one felt fatal.
—¡Antonia!
A voice deep it sounded in the barn. It was Powell, that walked towards the place where they
found.
-- What devils you are doing outside the bed?-- he asked, raising it with firm hands.
When seeing tears of their eyes watched at their daughter with hardness.
-- It is crying... That you have done to him?
—¡Powell, you you mistake!-- Antonia --. said It is not fault hers.
—¡You are defending it!
-- Maggie -- it said with smoothness --. Dile to your father what you finish telling me. You are
not scared. Come, I gave it to it.
Maggie watched it with belligerence.
--No I have no pretty dress -- it accused it.
—And what?-- he asked.
-- That it wants to go to the cinema with me. And it does not have anything to put itself.
Suddenly, Powell watched at its daughter and compren-dió what happened.
-- you do not have none?
—¡No, I do not have almost clothes!-- espetó the girl.
--Oh, God mine...
-- Tomorrow by tomorrow we will go of together purchases -- Antonia said.
-- You and I?
-- Yes.
Powell watched them with open curiosity. Mag-gie rose and observed Antonia with
uncertainty.
-- Once I heard story on a woman who married with a man who had two children small. Soon
it left them left in a forest.
Antonia laughed.
--No I think dejarte left in any part, Maggie. In any case, Julie said to me that you would be

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able to find the way anywhere, and that you follow the tracks very well.
-- That said?
-- Who has to you taught to follow tracks?-- pre-guntó its father.
-- Nobody. I learned reading a book that lent Jake to me.
-- and why no you asked to him your father who bought one to you?
-- Because not it it would have done. To only it buys wrists me.
Antonia was nauseated the eyebrows and watched at Powell with curiosity.
-- Wrists?
--, Yes sure it is a girl and I thought that it would like -- it answered.
-- Then hatred wrists -- young person --. declared I prefer books.
--Ya had to me dice counts -- the professor commented.
Powell it felt completely stupid.
-- you never said nothing -- it murmured to its daughter. Maggie approached Antonia and
espetó:

-- Never you asked.
Then it cleaned the jersey with a hand. His father observed it.
-- Pareces one rag wrist, and you are very dirty. It will be better than you bathe and you
change of clothes.
--Ya I do not have more clothes. Mrs. Bates says that she does not want to always wash my
things because he is all too dirty one like cleaning it.
-- What?
-- Tiro' my last cattle tenders -- he continued --. And this one is the only jersey that I have left.
--Oh, Maggie -- Antonia --. took part Why you did not say it to your father?
-- Because not me it would have listened. Nobody never listens to me. ¡When it grows I think
marchar-me and no I will never return! And if sometimes I have children, I will want them.
Powell did not know what to say.
—It walks, sees bañarte -- it said Antonia --. You have a pajamas and one dressing gown?
-- Yes, I have pajamas. I hide them so that Mrs. Bates does not throw them.
-- Then ponte one. Later, I will take the supper to you.
Powell wanted to say something, but Antonia prevented it covering the mouth to him with the
hand.
-- Vamos, Maggie -- it insisted. Maggie obeyed and disappeared of the barn not without
before watching with belligerence to its father.
-- Of course, it looks much like you -- it said she when she had left --. The same gesture, the
same one impatient attitude, the same tempe-ramento and until the same glance.
--No knew that it did not have clothes -- it commented, discomfort.
-- Then now you know. I will take it of purchases.
--No you are as to walk sufficiently well of stores that way -- it murmured --. I will do.
-- you will take It of purchases?-- it asked, of for-ma malevolent.
-- Good, I am created perfectly able.
-- I am safe of it. But it surprises to me that you offer volunteer.
--No I offer myself volunteer. Only attempt protegerte.
-- Of truth?-- it asked smiling --. You are a charming man.
Then it kissed it with smoothness. Powell resis-tió during a second, but yielded to the aim.
Res-pondió with certain enthusiasm, but without going too much far not to request
something to him that it could not do. Later, it knocked down it on the hay and it covered it
with warm and affectionate kisses.

Chapter 20

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WHEN they returned to the house, Mrs. Bates watched them with certain perplexity, but it
smiled in any case when seeing that his head took to his wife in arms.
-- you take It to nuptial nest?-- it asked with malicia.
-- It is tired -- he corrected --. It has passed Maggie this way?
-- Yes -- it answered master of keys --. It has said that I am a witch because I have thrown the
only clothes that it had left and because now it will have to go of purchases.
--Es certain -- Powell commented, smiling.
--No knew it.
--Ni I.
Both watched a Antonia.
-- Recordad that I am school professor. I am customary to deal with the children.
-- Supongo that no I know nothing of anything on them -- Powell confessed to a sigh.
-- But you will learn.
-- Good, what so if you raise a tray with food Maggie?
--Es the minus that I can do -- answered the master of keys --. I will never forget the one its
clothes. But you cannot imaginarte in what state were their cattle tenders. And his jerseys.
-- Tomorrow I will take of purchases when he leaves the school -- he said --. I will buy new
things to him.
Mrs. Bates very she was surprised. In every year which it took in the house, Powell Long it
had not left with his daughter nowhere unless it had problems.
--Lo I know -- he said, including/understanding its glance --. But sometimes it must be first.
The master of keys agreed.
-- Supongo that yes. For all.
Antonia smiled. It was being able to make great progresses.
Powell it felt completely outside place in the store of clothes for children. employee it was of
great aid, but Maggie did not know what to buy, and he either.
Both they watched with certain impotence.
-- Good, what you want to buy?-- he asked.
—¡I do not know it!
-- It could to suggest something?-- depen-dienta asked, of diplomatic form.
Powell accepted. It did not include/understand in what the things would cam-biarían if it went
away of purchases with its daughter, but Antonia had insisted and it did not lose anything
doing it. In any case, it doubted that Maggie went to change.
But when five minutes later it left the vestidor, accompanied by the employee, his opinion
changed completely. It watched it as if it did not recognize it.
It took dress of pink color, with embroider in the neck and skirt over knees, and had put
leather shoes. The hair had been cepillado and it took a cintita to a side, that was very
graceful.
-- Maggie?-- it asked surprised, like making sure.
When watching it, girl thought that it had happened a miracle. It observed it as if it could not
believe what it was seeing. In fact, it smiled.
And it gave back the smile with glad expression. For the first time in all its life, Powell it saw
reflected in its daughter. They did not have eyes of same color, but was identical in the form.
Its nose was going to be as straight as hers, or rather, like that it had before breaking it to it.
Its mouth she was fine and wide like hers, and also it had pómulos stops. Sally also it had
lain on his daughter. Maggie was hers, although it had taken much time in realizing.
It bent an eyebrow with irony and it said:
-- Vaya, goes. ugly patito has been transformed into a swan. You are precious.
Maggie it moved and his blue eyes brilla-ron. By once, it laughed, illuminating the heart of
Powell. It had never seen it laugh. And the impact of that sensation was sufficient so that one
shook, so that it observed it with lle-nos eyes of sadness and repentance by the lost years.
Of unconscious way, it had cul-pado by the treason of Sally and the loss of Antonia. It did not
have be a true father in all its life and it was asked if not yet it would be too much late to

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begin.
The laughter changed totally the aspect of Mag-gie. Powell could not avoid to laugh as well.
-- What him it would seem a blue dress so that it goes to game with its eyes?-- it asked --.
And clear cattle tenders, not like those darks whom he had before.
The employee he agreed, excited.
Maggie began a to give returns in front of espe-jo of whole body, so surprised as its father
by its new indumentaria. Until she was pretty. It was asked if Jake would pay attention now in
her, and when thinking it, their eyes were illuminated still more. Now that Antonia it had
returned, perhaps everybody let hate it.
But Antonia she was ill and it could not give classes by his fault.
-- What it happens?-- Powell asked, that noticed its preoccupation --. Happens something
bad?
Maggie it surprised when noticing his preoccupation and when observing that account had
occurred of its sadness. In general, he was not so perceptivo.
--La young lady Hayes cannot give classes by my fault.
-- Antonia -- it corrected --. No longer she is the young lady Hayes for you.
Suddenly, thought crossed the head of the girl.
-- Then... now she is my mother?
--Tu madrastra -- it answered.
Maggie walked towards his father and it touched with uncertainty and gentleness to it.
--Y now that is returned no longer you hate to me, right?
Powell watched it with anguish. One inclined, abra-zó with force and it rocked it. The girl
began a to sob.
-- Please, no you hate to me, papa. I want much to you...
--Oh, God mine -- it whispered, with cerra-dos eyes --. Clear that I do not hate to you. I never
have to you hated, Maggie.
The girl supported the head in its shoulder and also closed the eyes, savoring the moment.
She was one sensation that had never known, and enchanted to him that they embraced it.
Between tears, smiled.
-- Dilo -- he said after seconds --. I gave that he is pretty that we embrace ourselves.
Maggie laughed.
Powell loosen it and it watched his face with inten-sidad. Still it was crying, but it smiled. It
put the hand in the pocket, but no it found what looked for.
—Damn it is, never I take handkerchiefs.
Maggie it cleaned the tears with the back of the hand.
--Yo either.
In that moment returned the employee, with a pile of dresses.
Found --He one blue one -- it said with delica-deza --. And also another skirt and top to
game of the same one color.
-- They are very pretty -- the girl, entusias-mada said.
-- Yes that is it. Why not you the tests?-- he asked, inviting it.
—¡Bond!
Maggie it disappeared again with depen-dienta and Powell observed them, overwhelmed.
That one she was its daughter. A precious girl who wanted it in spite of all the errors that she
had committed. It smiled of reflective form. After all, once in a while, things happened that
seemed miracles. And somehow, everything had to do with Anto-nia, as if the circle had
been closed with its return. When thinking in the process that had united them, and in the
change that had taken place in his lives, smiled. Later, it was watched in the mirror and it
was asked if the man bitter and hard which it had been until weeks back it would have
disappeared for always.
Chapter 21
MAGGIE RAN to the dormitory of Anto-nia in front of its father, with its new blue dress, his
leotardos and their shoes.

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But when it arrived at the bed and it saw it with its dressing gown of pink color felt certain
timidity. His length and blonde hair were loose and it fell to him over shoulders. It seemed
very fragile, but when seeing it, it smiled giving the welcome him.
-- Vaya, what pretty -- it said, admiring cam-bio that one had taken place in her --. ¡You
seem one different girl, Maggie!
-- Papa has to me bought new cattle tenders, fal-das, jerseys, shoes and underclothes -- he
said girl, almost without speech --. ¡And it has embraced to me!
The face of Antonia was illuminated.
-- Really?
Maggie smiled with timidity.
-- Yes -- it laughed --. I create that him pleasure.
--Yo also I create -- it declared, in a whisper.
In that moment, noticed that Maggie took something in the hand. The girl watched it and
doubted.
--Te we have brought a thing -- it confessed.
-- Of truth?-- it asked.
Maggie advanced towards her and it gave him a small box.
-- When you open, sounds a song.
Antonia took hold the box and cleared the paper that surrounded it. In the interior there was
a small box of music, with form of small piano of por-celana. When opening it, it sounded
melodía of Clear of moon.
-- Oh -- it exclaimed --. It had never had nothing so pretty. Maggie smiled.
-- it chose It your father?-- it asked.
The expression of the girl became shady. Antonia knew immediately that it had not been
Powell and one hurried to correct his error.
--La you chose you, right? You have very good taste, Maggie. Thank you very much.
It must have taken care of not to damage its fragile confidence still more.
Of nothing -- it smiled.
In that moment entered Powell, that when seeing it with the small box of music, also smiled.
—You like?
--Me he enchants -- he answered --. I will keep siem-pre, as if outside a small treasure.
It watched the girl with calidez, and Maggie ruborizó.
-- Good, it will be better than you take off your clothes nue-va -- Powell said.
Maggie it scared when noticing the order tone that was in its voice. But as soon as it
watched it it verified that it was not gotten upset, nor impacien-te. It smiled.
—¡In agreement, papa!
Before leaving of the room it smiled again to Antonia.
Heard --He certain rumor about a hug -- it murmured. Powell laughed.
-- Yes, it is certain. And I believe that it could acostum-brar to me.
-- She also.
-- and you?-- it asked with a espe-culativa glance.
-- Why no you come with me to the bed and you find out it?
His husband laughed. It threw the tejano hat on an armchair and one eased up in the bed on
her, leaning in its arms. Antonia attracted it towards himself and smiled under the smooth
one contact of its mouth. Then, Powell kissed it with a tenderness that remembered to him
the first together days that were pasa-do, in its youth. It loved the heat of its kisses, the
sensation of its body, patch to his. One bent seductively under its weight and it noticed that it
was tightened.
-- Not -- it whispered, dropping itself to a side.
-- Man without heart...-- it sighed.
--Es by your own good -- it said, drawing up the curve of his lips --. I want that you recover as
soon as possible.
--Lo I am trying.

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Powell it inclined on her and it kissed it on the end of the nose.
-- Maggie is very handsome with its blue dress -- it observed.
-- Yes, it is certain. You have realized, right?
-- That if I have myself dice counts? Of what?
Of much that it is looked like you. I saw when it smiled. When it smiles they leave to him such
hoyue-los that to you. Although also it has inherited your terrible character.
Of such wood such chip -- it joked, laughing --. When I left towards Arizona, I never dreamed
that things would finish thus.
-- She is that one complaint?
—You who create?-- it murmured, kissing it again.
Powell took it to the table, and for the first time, they ate all together ones. Maggie was
nervous, fighting itself with the places setting because it did not know how to use them
correctly.
--Ya you will learn -- his father said when seeing it --. Nobody is observing to you with
microscope, you know? I thought that to vary it could be well that we ate together.
Maggie watched a both adult.
--No you go a to throw to me of house, right?
--No you are idiot -- his father joked.
-- Good, before you did not want to me -- it remembered to him.
--No you it knew -- it talked back --. And I follow thoroughly without cono-certe. It is fault mine,
but the things they are going to change. You and I will spend more time together. So that,
what it seems to you if instead of taking the bus I take you to the school in car?
The girl she cheered much in the beginning, but immediately one became sad. Jake went in
bus, and if it did not take it could not see it. Obvious his father did not know anything on the
boy, but he noticed his doubts.
--Me it would please much -- ruborizó Maggie --, but...
Antonia remembered what Julie had said to him.
-- Perhaps it wants to see which goes in the bus, is not certain?-- she asked, worsening his
shame feeling.
Powell tightened the lips.
-- So it is that...-- it laughed --. And it tell me, I know the young lucky person by whom as
much you sigh?
--Oh, papa -- it moaned the girl.
--No matters. You can go in bus -- it said, watching Antonia --. Perhaps but you can come
with me some Saturdays, when it leaves to com-probar the state of the head of cattle.
--Me it would please much. I want to know it everything on its weight and the factors of
inheritance.
Powell left to fall the possesor whom it had in the hand and it watched the girl. To listen to
those terms in mouth of their daughter were as sorpren-dente as chocante.
Maggie I notice his surprise and smiled.
--Me it would please to read more things on cattle. I have a few books, but they only speak
on the genetic statistics of the raising. You raise them using engineering genetics, papa?
-- God mine -- he sighed --. It is a true ranchera.
-- From soon -- Antonia --. said Surprise, sor-presa. But speaking of genetics, me I ask of
whom it will have inherited it.
Powell did not know what to say, but smiled of ear ear.
—Yes, I use techniques of genetic engineering -- it answered his daughter, watching it with
admiration --. If it interests to you, I will take to the stables and you to you ense-ñaré how we
do it. And to think that he was preo-cupado because it did not have a nobody to that to leave
the farm... Antonia laughed.
-- Because it seems that you are going to leave it in ade-cuadas hands -- commented,
observing the girl.
Maggie ruborizó. Not yet one had recovered of the sudden change that had given its life,

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and everything had to Antonia. It was like leaving the dark to see the sun, shining.
Antonia felt something very seemed when it just watched his gained family.
-- That me he remembers that your grandfathers would want lle-varte to a fair of antiques the
aim of week that comes -- said Antonia --. It goes to an auction of Sheridan.
-- But if no I have grandfathers.
--No you had -- she corrected, smiling --. Now you have one. My father.
-- grandfathers of truth for single me?-- pre-guntó, leaving to a side possesor --. It knows
me?
-- You went to see it with your father. Not it recuer-das?
-- Yes, it lives in a very great house -- it answered with joy --. But it was scared and I did not
want to speak with him. I do not believe that it falls to him well.
--Le you please much -- Antonia --. said And it would enchant enseñarte to him things on
antigüeda-des, if it is that you want to learn. It is its greater divertimiento.
—¡It will be very amused!
-- Creo that a starting off of now you are going to be very solicitd, Maggie -- Antonia --.
smiled You it matters?
Maggie did negative gesture with the head and smiled with certain timidity.
--Oh, no. ¡Not me it matters absolutely!
Antonia average it was slept when Powell put in the bed, yawned and one stretched.
--Me it has cattle -- it said.
It occurred return and supported the head in its chest.
-- A what?-- it asked.
—To letters. Not yet I know how it has con-seguido it -- it yawned --. Go, I am dead of
dream.
--Yo also -- he declared, tightening against him --. Good night.
-- Good night.
Antonia I smile before remaining slept; it thought about the happy thing that they were now
that they were together. Powell had changed much. Perhaps it does not land on water it as
much as she to him, but it seemed to be very contented. And Maggie behaved every time
better. things would take certain tiem-po in being based, but it felt like in house. future,
obviously, it seemed shining.
To the morning following, it was scared of to have made false illusions. Maggie left to school
and Powell to a cattle sale, and it had to remain in single house because Mrs. Bates had
frees the day. A persistent call to the timbre of the door removed it from the bed. A white
dressing gown was put and lowered to open, means slept.
The woman who she appeared to the other side of puer-ta entered suddenly. And Antonia
was surprised as much as imposing pelirroja.
-- Who is you?-- it asked with arrogance.
Antonia it observed. It wore an elegant gray suit, with a shirt and short skirt. His legs were
larguísimas, as beautiful as their figure, but perhaps something thin. It was about five years
greater than she, or perhaps more.
-- I am the wife of Powell Long -- it answered, with equal attitude --. What I can do by you?
woman watched it.
-- It is joking.
--No, I am not joking -- it said --. What wants?
Come --He it stops to see Powell, by a private subject -- it answered.
--Mi husband and I we do not have secrets.
-- Really? Then it will know that there is been remaining these last nights in my house
tra-bajando in the details of a business, right?
Antonia did not know what to answer. Powell had been working until enough afternoon, but
not it had happened to him to think that it could be something not related to that woman. But
now she was not so safe, in spite of the desire that it demonstrated by her. Desire and the
love were not the same thing, and that one was woman more beautiful than had known in all

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her life.
-- Powell no it will return until late -- it declared.
—Good, in so case I will not hope -- pelirroja murmured.
—It wants that it leaves a message him?
—Yes. Dígale that Leslie Holton wants to see it. I am safe of that con-migo will be put in
contact -- answered, observing the figure of Anto-nia --. Of course, there is not one who
understands the men.
Then one occurred average return and left walking towards a Cadillac last model.
Antonia it observed while one moved away in his vehicle. Until it lead well, with efficiency
and great dowries. It wished that the four wheels were punctured to him suddenly, but,
obvious, such thing did not happen. And something disappointed felt.
So disappointed like the own Hol-ton widow, who tried to nail her nails in Powell and in
Dawson. Antonia was asked if success with its husband would be teni-do. Obvious, it had
not wanted to marry with her, but that not sig-nificara that they did not maintain a relation
intimate. It could not refuse that she was very beautiful.
A began to feel uncertain and troubles. It had neither the beauty nor sophistication
necessary to compete with a woman of its stature. It knew that to Powell not it also wished,
but adivi-naba that that woman knew the art well seduction. Perhaps they had been loving.
And until the possibility that fitted they followed sién-dolo. On the other hand, she had not
been able to make the love in whichever days, and although she had joked about the period
of time that could perhaps to happen without a woman, was only playing with its feelings. In
all case, had to discover it.
That same one late another unexpected com-plicación appeared. Julie Ames went to the
house with Maggie; immediately, it wanted to be useful and it began to clean the room of the
girl, placing well all the things. Until it had taken a branch of flowers that it gave to its old
professor with great affection and amiability.
Maggie it reacted so before the attitude of his friend and as it had always done it,
entristecién-dose. Antonia meant to him that to Julie pre-tendía not to hurt it, although
outside very ball and bas-tante metomentodo.
-- Ire' to look for a vase -- Maggie, depressed said.
-- I am safe of which to Julie it will not matter to go to look for it to him -- Antonia said,
surprising a lace two children --. It would matter to you? You can to ask it to it Mrs. Bates and
to fill it with water.
--Me it would please much, Mrs. Long -- Julie, excited answered.
Quickly it marched to fulfill its assignment.
Antonia smiled to Maggie, that watched it with astonishment.
-- Of whom it was the idea to gather the flowers?-- it asked.
-- Good, it was mine -- ruborizó.
-- Yes, already me it had imagined. And your good friend has hurried to take all the elo-gios.
I include/understand that that hurts.
-- Yes -- it admitted, absent and surprised.
--No I am so idiot as you create -- said --. But it tries to remember a thing. You are my
daughter and you are in your house.
Maggie smiled immediately.
-- Good, or my hijastra -- she continued she --. As you prefer.
-- I prefer llamarte mother -- acercándo-se --, said, if it does not matter to you.
—Clear that no, Maggie -- it smiled --. It does not matter to me. You would do to me to feel
very honest.
--Mi mother not me he wanted -- he sighed with sadness --. And I thought that I was fault
mine, who had something bad.
--No is nothing bad in you, affection -- it said with smoothness --. You are perfect.
-- Many thanks.
Maggie was a point to cry by the emotion.

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-- Something marches badly in any case, it is not certain? You do not want to tell it to me?
Maggie was watched feet.
-- Julie has to you prisoner.
-- Good, me it pleases that they embrace to me.
-- I also I can do it?
Antonia smiled. The girl doubted, but when seeing that his madrastra extended the arms ran
to them like a dove that had returned to its nest. The sensation was so new like incredible
for the young person. First it his father had abra-zado, and now Antonia. It could not
recor-dar so many hugs in its short existence.
Once again, it smiled and it sighed.
--Me it pleases much that you embrace to me.
--Y to me also I like -- she said the girl. Antonia loosen it with a smile.
-- Good, both we will have to practice bas-tante. And also your father. You are very
handsome when you smile.
In that moment returned Julie with the vase. It watched Maggie and it said:
-- Vaya, lately you seem different.
--Es that I have new clothes -- it observed.
--No, is not that. It is that you smile much -- laughed its friend --. Jake says that you look
yourself like that actress of his series of favourite television. You have not paid attention to
how it watched to you today in class?
--No watches to me never -- it answered, ruborizada --. It is certain that it watched to me?
-- Of course. And the other boys ed ***reflx mng themselves of him. But one did not get
upset. It was limited to smile.
The heart of Maggie stopped. It watched at his madrastra with eyes shining, full of joy.
Antonia was very contented. They finished as the things finished, did not regret having itself
married with Powell. It thought about the widow of Holton and felt an intense cold interior, but
did not leave them young noticed it. It was limited to smile and a to listen to its conversation
while he asked myself that his husband would say when supie-ra that it had had visits that
morning.
When it knew it, it did not say anything. That empeo-ró the things. It was limited to watch it
with the eyes entrecerrados while they were arranged to put in the bed.
--No said to me of what wanted to speak with you. It said that he was something personal
and that already you would put yourself in contact with her -- it commented, watching it.
Its hard one expression was not smoothed. It observed it in search of some symptom of
jealousy, but no it found them nowhere. There was counted all the happened one to him
during visit of Leslie without apparent emotion. But if it meant something for her it must have
interested the private conver-saciones that it could have with another woman. On the other
hand, everybody had aso-ciado its name to the one of the widow of Holton during the last
years. Antonia had to be to as much.
-- That is everything?-- it asked. It shrank of shoulders.
-- Everything what memory -- it answered, sonrien-do --. Is very handsome, right? It has a
pre-cioso hair, curled length and. It had not seen a hair thus in all my life. It is model?
--No, was actress of cinema until his husband died. It was tired to have to travel of side to
another one, so that when it inherited its fortune remained here and left of to work.
-- and not it bores in a so small place?
—No. It passes much time in house of Dawson Rutherford.
Antonia it felt by Barrie, and it was asked if her friend would know the relation that Dawson it
maintained with the widow. But then it remembered what his father had commented.
-- It likes a he?
-- Quiere his earth -- it answered --. Both esta-mos trying to obtain the earth that separate
our properties. It has laughed in them. If he obtains them, I will have to take it in opinion by
the rights of use of the water. And the same it will happen if I gain.
Of way that is a simple subject of businesses.

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Powell was nauseated an eyebrow.
--Yo I have not said that -- one made fun of --. Rutherford is a quite cold man, and Leslie is...
like it would say... a woman with much character that does not need that they stimulate it.
Antonia contained the breathing.
-- Until what point? And who stimulates it?
--Lo that there is fact in the past is not subject yours -- it joked.
She it incorporated and it watched it with attention.
-- you are laying down with her?
-- How?
—¡You already have to me ear!-- espetó --. I have pregun-tado to you that if you are so
determined to obtain those earth that you lie down with her to obtain it.
-- Crees that I am able of something thus?-- pregun-tó, watching it of vaguely amenaza-dora
form.
-- Why another one reason would want to come to this house?-- it asked --. And to one hour
in which gene-ralmente you are here, when Maggie already has left to the school.
--Ya I see that you it has bothered. What has said to you?
-- Dijo that there are happened all these nights in his house, when one assumed that you
were traba-jando -- answered, irritated --. And it acted as if it was the owner of the house.
-- Queri'a to marry with me -- it commented, hun-diendo still more the knife.
-- Good, because you you have united to me -- espetó enfa-dada --. ¡And I do not think to
allow this situation!
-- Antonia...
-- Sabes very well what I mean.
-- That I hope -- it said, watching it with curiosi-dad --. Why me you do not explain it better?
--Si had one bottle you would explain it, rom-piéndotela in the head -- it roared. Powell
observed it with humor.
—You are so jealous that you cannot think -- it laughed.
-- Of that pelirroja flacucha?
-- Vaya, go -- it said, approaching slowly, like a cat.
—¡I am twice more woman than she!
-- You think to demonstrate it to me?-- it asked with smoothness.
--Ve close door and I will teach a few things to you.
Powell laughed enchanted. The door rose, closed and extinguished the light of the lamp,
leaving ignited the one that was in the small table at night.
Antonia also one had risen. When she walked towards the bed, it took off the nightgown and
she left fell to the ground.
-- and well?-- it asked of suggestive form --. It can that is thinner of which me gus-taría, but...
Powell it threw on her before pudie-ra to finish the phrase. It embraced it and it began to
kiss it with enthusiasm. Antonia moaned, but it did not try to protest, nor to discuss nothing.
Its husband he hurried to undress.
-- Espera moment -- she said --. One assumes that I am the one that I must demostrarte
something.
-- Ahead then -- it invited it.
Then it inclined on its wife and it began to kiss its sines while its hands they caressed
unexplored territories.
Antonia wanted to say something, but could not do nothing except for moaning. One bent
and it nailed the nails in its hard hips. When its mouth encon-tró again with its lips, nor at
least he was able to emit a sound.
They did love, and much more late she was knocked down, sudorosa and tired, shaking in
its arms. Inten-so had felt a pleasure so that not even it could to coordinate its
movi-mientos.
-- You are too weak -- it accused, drawing up it the line of its lips with a finger --. I did not
have it to have done.

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-- Clear that you had -- it whispered with sensuali-dad --. He has been wonderful.
-- From soon -- it smiled --. I hope that you spoke in serious when you said that you wanted
to have children. She laughed.
-- Queri'a and I want to have them. But already we have one.
-- you have obtained to change it completely -- it commented, observing it.
--No, she has to me changed me. And to you -- it said, embracing it --. Now we are a family.
No he had been so happy in all my life. And from now on it will be still better.
--Al less has to me pardoned -- it observed --. I will have to gain the confidence to me that I
did not know to even gain now. I feel shame when I think about which it has suffered.
--La life is flood of lessons -- it said --. Aho

-ra is truely your daughter. And soon you will be able to malcriar to more children. I love to
you, Powell.
--Y I have to you loved during all my life. He was not able of decírtelo. He is graceful, not you
it seems? It had not given account to me of much that it loved to you until I lost to you. If you
had not survived would have preferred to die.
That declaration surprised it. It was the pri-mera time that listened to something similar of its
lips.
-- Powell -- it whispered, between tears.
--Y to think that you have thought that it wished Leslie...
-- Good, it is very thin, but she is precious.
-- Only in appearance. However, your you are beautiful in all the senses, mainly when beams
of mother of Maggie.
Antonia smiled.
Easy --Es. I want so much as master to its father -- it murmured.
--Y its father also he wants to you -- he whispered --. as well Desperately and wildly.
-- Really?--lo it challenged --. Demuéstralo enton-ces.
Powell moaned.
-- Resulta very tempter, but in this case the spirit will be but strong who the meat -- he said
with smoothness --. Not yet you have recovered the sufficient thing like initiating sessions
intensive. Pro-meto you who when you put yourself well I will take you to Bahamas e we will
try to beat all mar-cas world-wide.
--Me it seems very well.
Antonia it attracted towards himself and it closed the eyes, leaving itself to take by wonderful
and the divine one sen-sación of being loved.
Chapter 22
THE NEW ONE professor of Maggie found in her a so charming girl and dispues-ta a to
cooperate like its Julie friend. Maggie regre-saba to house every day with one new
apa-riencia and with great joy to be able to see its parents. They happened long guarded
seeing films in front of the fire, reading books or celebrating fies-tas, that Antonia organized
and to which Maggie invited all its friends, including a Jake.
Powell no longer it traveled as much, although it continued fighting with Dawson Rutherford
to obtain property of the territories of the widow of Holton, that separated their farms.
-- It is courting it -- certain night --. murmured It is the joke of the century. Dawson is cold like
the ice, avoids the women nevertheless as if they were a plague, and, she no it makes
another thing that to insinuate itself.
—I know it. Speak with Barrie the last week. It said that Dawson wanted that it returned with
him, but apparently they had a serious discussion. I believe that it has jealousy of Leslie.
-- Pobrecilla -- it said, attracting it towards himself --. It would not have to be jealous of
Rutherford. It does not like women.
-- the men either.
Powell laughed.
--Y I less than nobody. What meant is that it is not interested in maintaining relations

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sporadic, and less with charming widows. To only they interest earth him and the cattle.
-- the women much more they are amused -- she joked.
-- Barrie would have to try to demonstrate it to it.
--No dares.
-- Barrie? We are speaking of the same woman who was in charge to seduce three guests
simultaneously in a supper?
-- Dawson is different. It matters to him.
-- Creo that I begin to include/understand.
Antonia closed the eyes and sighed.
--Es a great one man. To you it falls to you bad because of its father, but it does not have so
few escrú-pulos like George with respect to the businesses.
-- Preferiri'a no to speak on George.
-- Still you follow without to think that...
-- Clear that not -- it said --. immediately It only meant that the Rutherford has been my
enemies during many years, económicamen-te speaking. Dawson and I will not be able to
be ami-gos never.
--Yo it would not say so much. Ten in account that Barrie is my friend.
--Y very good, according to I create.
-- Yes. I am safe that later or more early it will end Dawson.
-- But they are relatives.
-- Only politically. They are children of different parents.
-- Because it seems that they are hated.
--Ya you know what they say on the love and hatred. But it is suspicious, does not seem to
you? When you hate to somebody, you try to avoid it, but Dawson does all the possible one
to see it and to make him the life impossible.
-- She does same with him.
-- Tiene to do it. A man like him pasa-ría over her if he did not do anything. In certain form,
you also are thus -- she added, obser-vando its black eyes --. One delicate woman could not
live with you.
-- So and as it discovered Sally -- it said, taking hold its hand --. There is something I do not
have to you counted on my marriage, and, I believe that momen-to has arrived from which
you it says it. Maggie was born of premature form. I did not lie down with Sally until we broke
the commitment. And he was so drunk that I confused it with you. You can imagine how I felt
when I woke up to the following morning and I saw what really it had done. But it was too
much late to correct the error.
Antonia did not say nothing. It was limited to swallow the pain that felt.
--Ya I see.
-- He was very cruel. Cruel and irresponsible. But I have paid for that reason. Since you have
paid Sally, Maggie and you -- it declared, looking for its glance --. But from now on, I will
believe to you always, you say what you say. I have wanted decírtelo from the day in which I
saw you in house of your father, when you returned.
-- Then in place of that, you made a few accusations quite crude.
Powell smiled with sadness.
-- Duele much to know what it is had lost. It loved to you with all my soul and it could not
decírtelo because I thought that you hated to me.
In part it was certain.
--Y soon, when I discovered the reason by laque really you had returned, I wanted to die.
Antonia was tightened against him.
--No you must watch back. Everything has finished already. I am out of danger, and also you
are it Maggie and.
--Mi Maggie -- he sighed, smiling --. It is a great ranchera.
--No in vain it deals with your daughter.
-- Mmmm. Yes, of course. I am glad of to have given account to me at the end of which Sally

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also it had lain on my paternity. There are too many similarities between us.
-- Too many for my taste -- it smiled against its chest --. They have spent six weeks from
aque-lla night on which I insisted on demostrarte that was more woman than the widow of
Holton...
--Y you did it.
Antonia it separated centimeters to watch it, while it smiled with certain excessive secrecy.
But Powell was not for surprises. It caressed its stomach and it smiled as well, with shining
eyes.
-- Sabes one thing?-- she asked, in a whisper.
-- Duermo with you all the nights -- conti-nuó, without doing case to him --. And we make the
love almost all days. I am not blind. I have realized of which you have skipped the breakfast
during the last week,
-- Vaya, wanted sorprenderte.
-- Inténtalo -- it suggested.
-- I am embarrassed -- it declared, watching it.
Powell it incorporated, one took the hands cora-zón and it watched it with such joy that she it
began to laugh.
-- Really? God mine!
Its exaggerated one reaction caused such attack of laughter in its wife who was on the verge
of finishing in the ground. But at that moment Mrs. Bates showed the head by the door,
alarmed by the scandal.
—¡It is embarrassed!Powell informed to him.
—¡Go! Of truth?-- it asked.
-- Good, still I must go to the doctor to con-firmar it -- she answered.
-- Yes -- it said Powell --. But the test resultses will not scare to anybody.
Antonia agreed yet its heart.
That late they said it to Maggie. When they called it so that it go to the hall, it suspected
something. The things had left very well últi-mas weeks, and until it thought that the
possibility that fitted they had changed of opinion with her, of which they wanted to send it far
from house, to some boarding school.
-- Antonia is embarrassed -- his father announced.
The eyes of Maggie was illuminated.
—¡Ah, is that!-- it said, alleviated --. I thought that one was something bad. You mean that
you go to have a boy, mother?-- it asked, running to embrace it to sofa --. Julie it will die of
envies it. I will be able to rock it in arms when it is born? Po-dré to take care of of he? I can
obtain some books you sobredrink...
Antonia laughed enchanted.
--, Yes clear that you will be able to help me. I for a moment thought that perhaps you did not
like, por-que everything has happened very quickly.
--Oh, clear that I like -- she said, frunciendo frown --. It would enchant to me to have a
hermanito. Because it goes to being young, right?
Powell laughed.
-- Good, also I like the children.
-- to Only I pleasure you because I know to distinguish a cow of another one -- the girl
observed, smiling.
-- Also me you please because you are pretty.
-- Now I will have something important of which to speak -- it continued Maggie --. We threw
to you much of less in the school, mother. All. seño-rita Tyler is likeable, but you are special.
-- Someday I will return to education -- prome-tió --. It is like cycling. One does not forget
never.
-- What seems to you if we are going to say it to it to abue-lo?-- Powell asked.
Of agreement -- it answered --. ¡We go right now!
Chapter 23

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THE NEWS they astonished and they enchanted Horseradish tree. One seated in its
rocking chair and it watched them at the three, that they had complied in the sofa.
--Un baby -- it exclaimed, with face cheers --. Go, goes.
-- He will be a boy, grandfathers -- Maggie --. assured Thus you will have to that it
appreciates the trains that you collect. I feel much to prefer the cattle.
Horseradish tree laughed.
--No you worry, affection. It can that someday you can teach things to your brother on the
types of furniture of the time of queen Ana.
Maggie explained to its parents whom to Horseradish tree to him the old furniture
enchanted.
-- Good, it is amused -- the grandfathers said.
--Es truth -- her granddaughter --. declared But the cattle is much more interesting, and also
it is something scientific. Truth, papa?
-- Of course, she is daughter mine -- it answered Powell --. Anyone could say it.
Horseradish tree agreed and it smiled. Ever since it had been going to visit it for the first
time, its life had changed. Sometimes it helped it to organize its books. It had many, and
both they shared the love by the reading.
-- That me a thing remembers -- Horseradish tree --. said I found something for tí in the last
auction.
One rose and it removed an old and beautiful book, of century nineteen. With much care, it
gave Maggie.
-- It will be better than take care of of him, because it is very valuable.
--Oh, grandfathers...-- it said, excited. Powell whistled surprised.
-- That book it seems very expensive, Horseradish tree.
-- Maggie knows it and it will take care of very well of him. I have never known which takes
care of so much the books. It leaves open, nor never it doubles them the leaves, and it
always gives back them site to its. Until I leave takes my first editions. It is a small jewel.
Maggie listened the commentary and watched at its grandfathers with a full smile of
affection.
-- It is teaching to me to take care of of them -- anun-ció with pride.
--Y is one excellent student -- Horseradish tree, watching at Antonia with love --. continued I
would like that your mother was here. One would feel very happy and she would be very
proud.
--Lo I know. But I am sure that also she knows it, papa -- Antonia with smoothness said. And
it smiled.
That night it called to Barrie to notify good to him. Her friend was glad sincerely.
-- Tienes to say to me when it is going to be born so that it can take an airplane and go to
see it.
-- to see it?
-- Clear. In addition, I am sure that you will have a boy. They are very likeable, and thus you
will have one parejita with Maggie.
-- Good, I will do that it can -- assured --. to him You have known something on Dawson?
Barrie it remained in silence seconds, before answering.
--No.
-- Recently that I knew the widow of Holton...
-- She is very old?
-- About five or six years more than I -- con-testó --. It has an imposing figure, he is pelirroja,
of green eyes and very elegant.
-- Dawson must to be very contented, because it sees all the week ends it.
-- Barrie, I no it would worry to me much for that reason -- it commented with slowness --.
She is cold, it lasts and with much malicia, reason why I have heard. Nobody knows what is
able to do.
--La invited to his house -- Barrie --. said And it had boldness to also invite me to me so that

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it acted of sujetavelas, so that people not pen-sara that is something among them. No I think
to only observe how coquetea with her so that its image stays intact.
-- that Can you mistake, Barrie. To Dawson it does not like the women. They say that it is...
sexually cold.
-- Dawson.
In effect.
Barrie doubted. No it could tell its friend which was thinking, nor what it remembered on
him.
-- Still you follow there?-- Antonia asked.
-- Yes -- it sighed --. It is fault hers. It as much wishes those earth that are arranged to do
nobody thing to obtain them.
--No I believe that try to arrive so far. I would say that only she invited it to speak of
businesses, but are possible that she thinks that is inte-resado more in something and that
now it cannot get rid of pelirroja. I assure to you that it can very be heavy when it wants. With
me it was it. It has much character, and Dawson is rich. I believe that she is she who is
coqueteando with him, not on the contrary.
-- Never there was it thought.
-- you have given Him the opportunity to explain itself?-- it asked.
-- Not -- it admitted --. I do not want to risk dán-dole to me to Dawson the opportunity to do
the life to me impossible during a long weekend.
-- You would have to try it. It can that has cam-biado sentimentally.
--No I create -- it laughed --. But I will call it, and if vuel-ve to request me that goes to its
house, I go. But only if there is more people around in addition to the widow.
-- Llámalo and dile what you think.
--No I know if...
-- Vamos, is not none ogro. He is only a man.
-- Already -- it said without conviction.
-- Barrie, never you have been cowardly. Sálvalo.
--No I can believe that the ice man needs that they save it -- doubted --. Who said to you that
they called thus?
-- Everybody it knows it. It does not leave with anybody. The widow is the first woman whom
she has seen in many years -- she answered with smoothness --. He is peculiar, does not
seem to you?
The era, but Barrie was not bothered in commenting the suspicions that it had. It was asked
if it counted on the sufficient anger like going to Sheridan and finding out the truth.
-- that Can go.
-- You would have -- it continued Antonia.
Minutes more late it hung the telephone, giving time to his friend so that it thought about it
with depth. When it finished speaking, Powell approached her and smiled with calidez.
Later, one seated in the sofa, to its side.
-- You are very handsome dressed rose -- it commented.
-- Thanks.
-- Ocurre something?
-- Parece that Leslie is making the life impossible to Dawson.
--Me I cheer.
-- You must have the decency to feel it by him -- espetó, watching it --. I believe to remember
that estu-viste in its front sight, the past.
-- Until you appeared to save to me, encan-tadora woman.
One inclined and it kissed with smoothness.
-- Nobody can to save to Dawson, except for Barrie.
-- I am safe of which it will be able to fight against its own ghosts. Or rather, against his own
dragonas -- it laughed.
-- Still you try to obtain those earth?

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--Oh, I resigned a it when we married -- answered with tranquillity --. I supposed that she
looked for something more than money, and you were dema-siado jealous.
-- It goes.
--No you had by what preocuparte. It was not my type. But I discovered that it walked behind
me and I preferred to leave the subject -- it added, laughing --. In addition, I do not believe
that Dawson has more success. She is only trying to discover if she has some option with
him, and if she does not have it, she will not sell his earth.
-- that Can fall in the trap.
--No. It does not fall to me well, but she is not no idiot. It is not its type of woman either. It
likes to give orders. He is too strong for her, and they would not take well. In fact, I create that
it is to him so attractive to Leslie because cannot con-seguir it.
—That I hope. No I would like that she deceived it with the marriage. I believe that Barrie
wants it more of what it is arranged to admit.
Powell it attracted towards himself.
-- That they solve its own problems. It give account to you of much that has changed this
house ever since you married with me?
She smiled.
-- Yes. Maggie is a completely different person.
--Y I, and you, and until your father and Mrs. Bates. But in case it go little, now we are going
to have a son and Maggie are wishing that he is born. You know a thing? We have the world
in the hands.
Antonia it supported in him and it closed the eyes.
--El world in our hands -- it repeated, enchanted.
Seven months more late, Nelson Charles Long was born in the provincial hospital of
Bighorn. It was fast and simple childbirth, and Powell remained throughout next to its wife
process. Des-pués, left Maggie entered with their father to see their brother, while it nursed
it.
--Se seems much to you, papa -- the girl observed.
--Se seems more to Antonia -- he protested --. You are the one who look yourself more like
me.
Maggie smiled of ear ear. A completely new relation had been esta-blecido between father
and daughter. One did not feel absolutely threatened by the baby, because it knew that their
parents would que-rían it. The cold and last emptiness had disappeared for always, so and
as it had happened between Antonia and Powell.
Antonia it had bold to ask his husband about which Sally had written in the letter that had
sent him years back, and that had given back without opening. Powell answered to him that
it did not remember much on which had said its previous one to him wife, except a phrase
that had removed from certain book, of an author who no she could remember: "and God
said: it takes what you want and it pays for that reason."At least, that letter had served to
demonstrate that Sally was descu-bierto painful truth that locked up that appointment. And it
felt it by her.
Although outside late, of course. Too much late.
By then already they had pardoned to Sally, and the love and the joy that shared Maggie,
Powell and her wife, grew day to day. As far as Antonia, also it had learned one lesson;
sometimes it was necessary to hold and to fight. It watched with adoration his proud
husband and thought that he would teach that lesson to Maggie and to the boy who he
maintained between his arms.

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