The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1888-08-24
lula ~VeIasquez.
BY AID II. GIBSON.

balmy banks of the Pearl River. He
had served in the Confederacy with
all the enthusiasm and confidence that
characterized the most intrepid wear
ers of gray. 1t was not so much the
discomftur he felt at the ter
mination of the civil struggle,
as 1t was the spirit OF ad-
ysnturer, which had led Leo to aban-
don his southern home and seek that
land Of thrilling romance, Mexico. Leo
found Mexico then in a belligerent
state. IMMEDIATELY on his landing. he
joined the army of Juarez, who was
fighting against Macmillan.
Many were the brave deeds of Leo
Gordon, which won the respect and
admiration of his comrades, and of
the great chief himself. But it is not
Of his services in hat struggle that
we intend to write; but of a certain adj
venture, deeply rose -hued with ro-
nance, In which Leo played Gr active
part.
With several OF his friends, who
had followed him from the United
States, Leo went one night to the
luxurious hacienda of a very wealthy
Mexican ranehero. and asked the
savage browed master to grant them
permission to pass the night there,
With a few crusty words in a surly
voice, the ranchero refused the re-
quest But the Americans persuaded,
and on their saying. at last that they
were determined to stay any way, he
gruffly and sullenly acquiesced TO their
lodging beneath his roof.
The hecisHdd had a somewhat ramb-
ling. partially furnished wing that was
used by the ~ranehero's family, but had
long ago been abandoned to the bats
and spiders This wing was assigned
to the accommodation of the half-dozen
adventurous Americans, who had in
sisted on passing the night at the
hacienda. Here they would be
wholly TO themselves save the stealthy
gnawing that broke the silence Of
these unused rooms, and suggested
multitude Of rats.
The moon was up and was fltering
her silyery beams over the breast OF
The warm, delicious hight. Leo was
leaning out of one of the long, narrow
Windows Of the wing, looking with
sincere admiration at the ample and
beautiful flower gardens of his host.
Ik5 flowers in the moons wealth of
pellucid splendor. with their rich per-
fumes tossed to him aver and anon by
the bland. south winds. carried the
g0ung southerner mind back to his
home on tho Pearl, with its flower be-
deeked walks and balmy hooks.
SO lost was be in the memories
which the scene before him evoked,
that at first he did not observe q beau
Eful Mexican girl approaching the
window from which he leaned.
AS she drew Lsarer, the young sol.
der became awsE6 III her presence.
She vas very bandsume. Her form,
which was plump was richly clad.
tier e1es were dark and intelligent.
She looked searchingly at Leo. and as
Il satisfied with her swift scrutiny. she
raised one soft dimpled hand in warn
ing and placed the foreiinger over her
crimson lips 10 enioia his silence.
sksaisis mystery pe~rs0niiiedg' Leo
exclaimed. within himself.
bat he preserved silence, and not a
novement Of the graceful girl escaped
his Figilant eye. He did not even
shut bis attitude. fearing he might
arouse his companions. who were rest
ing 81 the conchos of the long apart
menk md be cared not 10 disturb them.
#NFNA A. 4.MIA N H. MM#M4MN1