The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1888-04-07
TULA VELASQUEz.
BY AID II. GIBSON.

BY AID II. GIBSON.
Leo Gordon was a handsome young
Southerner, whose home was on the
balmy banks of the Pearl River He
had served in the Confederacy with all
the enthusiasm and confidence that char
actcrizG d the most intrepid wearers of
the gray. 1t was not so much the dis
comnture he felt at the termination of
the civil struggle, as it was the spirit of
adventure which had led Leo to aban-
don his Southern home and seek that
land of thrilling romance, Mexico. go
found Mexico then in belIigerent state
Immediately on his landing he Joined
the army of Juarez, who was fighting
against Maximlian.
Many were the brave deeds of 60
Gordon, which won the respect and adj
miration of his comrades, and of the
great chief himself. But it is not of his
services in that struggle that we intend
to write; but of certain adventure,
deeply rose-hued with romance, in which
Leo played an active part.
With several of his friends, who had
followed him from the United States,
Leo went one night to the luxurious ha-
cienda Of very wealthy Mexican ran
chero, and asked the savage browe1
master to grant them permission to pass
the night there.
With few crusty words in a surly
voice the ranchero refused the request.
But the Amerio ans persuaded, and on
their saying, at last, that they were de-
termined to stay aay way, he gruifiy ard
sullenly acqu esced to their lodging be-
meath his roof.
The hd ieadd had somewhat rambling,
partially furnished wing that was not
used by the rauchero's family, but had
long ago been abandoned to the bats and
spiders. This wing was assigned to the
ac' mmodation OF. the half-dozen advent
u u.ous Americans. Here they wou d
be wholly to themselves, save the steathy
gnawlDg that broke the silence of those
unused rooms, and suggested a mutt
tude of rats.
The moon was up and was filtering
her silvery beams over the breast of the
warm, delicious night Leo was leaning
out of one of the long, narrow windows
of the wing, looking with sincere ad
miration at the ample and beautiful
flower gardens of his host The flowers,
in the moons wea tn of pellucid splendor,
with their rich perfumes to sed to him
ever and anon by the bland south
winds, carried the young southerner's
mind to his home On the Pearl, with its
fower-bedecked walks and balmy hooks.
So lost was he in the memories which
the scene before him had evoked, that, at
first, he did not obse We beautiful Mexi-
can girl cautiously approaching the win
dow from which he leaned.
As she drew nearer, the young soldier
became aware of her presence. She was
very handsome. Her form which was
plump, was richly clad. Tier eyes were
dark and intelligent. She locked search
ingly at Leo, and as if satisfied with her
swift scrutiny she raised one soft, DIM
pied hand in warning and placed the fore
finger over her crimson lips to enjoin his
silence.
''This is mystery personifed?" Leo ex-
claimed, within himself.
But he preserved silence, and not a
movement of the graceful girl escaped
his vigilant eye He did not even shift
his attitude, fearing he might arouse his
companions, who were resting on the
couches of the long apartment, and he
cared not to disturbed them. What
could be the meaning of the strange pro-
oedure of the lovely Mexican girl!
As she stood with her finger over her
lips, she glanced quickly over her shoul-
Ger to make sure that her movements
were not observed by other than the
young American. Assuring herself that
She had not been suspected and watched,
she glided up as close to the window as
she well could, and whispered in musi-
cal voice:
''Loo6, senior! Iplace this down here
for YOU. Get and read it as soon as
am gone"
And as she uttered these words, she
stopped and placed a note under rose
bu h. Then plucking several blossoms
from the bush, to avert suspicion, if she
should lie seen in that quarter, she
turred quickly and left him without
vouchsafng him another glance from
her dark orbs.
Ieo's curiosity was deeply st rred.
Here was promise of romance and ad-
venture, beyond the spectre of doubt.
He gazed after the girl until she was
lOSG fCWs 1lC W do ACAi1
that the girl was lady of considerable
refinement, but in some trouble from
which, no doubt, she hoped he might be
instrumental in effecting her release.
When they had ridden into the plaza
that evening, Leo Gordon had noticed
at the blinds of the easement, several
feminine forms and faces. But so care
fully had they concealed themsel es,
that the Americans had caught bus a
transient glimpse OF them.
'1'm just in the right mood for an
adventure, " he uttered to himself. "l'll
secure that note beneath the rose if the
old duenna herself rules the flower
gaiIen."
He stepped softly to the door, which
stood ajar, and passed out. He looked
about him circumspectly. Not soul
was in sight. The night was lovely ard
everything seemed to favor his plans.
With an elastic spring, Leo's strong,
we'll trained limbs carried him over the
fence which shut out the garden from
their quarters. Once over the fence Leo
Bauntered nonchalantly towards the