The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-10-06
TULA VELAS0UEZ.

balmy banks Of the Pearl River He
had served in the Centederacy with all
the EN- husiasm and confidence that
characterized the most intrepid wear
ers Of gray. II was not so much the iii :
comtiture he felt at the termination of
the civil struggle, rs it was the spirit of
adventure, which had led Leo 10 aban-
don his Southern home and seek the
land of thrilling romance, Mexico.
Leo found Mexico then in beilgerent
state. Immediately on his landing he
joined the army of Juarez, who was
fighting against MaXimilan.
Many were the brave deeds Of Leo
Gordon, which won the respect and adj
miratiun of his comrades and of the
great chiei himself But it is not of his
services IN that struggle that We intend
10 write, but of a certain adventure,
deeply rose hued with romance, i'll
which Leo played an active part
With several OF his friends, who hal
followed him from the Unit, d States,
Leo went one night to the luxurious
hacienda OF a very wealthy fancherO,
and asked the savage proved master t.
grant them permission to pass the night
there.
With a few crustv words in a surlv
voice the ranchero refused the request.
But the Americans persuaded, and on
their saying at last that they were de-
termlned 10 stay anyway, ne gruttly and
suilenly acqulesced to their lodging be-
meath his roo
The hacienda had a somewhat ram
bling, partia " furnished wing that was
used by the ranchcro'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 insist
ed on passing tire night at the hacienda
Here they would be wholly to them
selves, save the stealthy gnawing that
broke the silence of those unused
rooms, and suggested a multitude of
rats.
The moon was up and was filterirr
her sllyery 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 sim
cere admiration at the ample and beau
tltul flower gaydens of his host. The
flowers, in the. moons wealth of pei
lucid splendor. with their rich per
fumes tossed TO him ever and anon by
the bland south winds, carried the
young Southefner's mind back to his
home on the Pearl, with its flower-be-
decked walks and ba,my hooks.
50 lost was I've in tie memories which
the scene before him evoked. that at
first he did not observe a beautiful
Mexican girl approaching the window
from which he leaned.
As she drew nearer, the young sol
der became aware of her presence.
She was very handsome. Her form.
" nj .1nI
Her eyes were dark and intelligent.
She looked searchingly at Leo, and, as
1t satisfied with her swift sc utiny, she
raised one soft, dim5Ied hand in warn
ing, and placed the forefnger over her
crimson lips to enioin his silence.
inns Is mystery persOnltied )" Leo
exclaimed within himself
But he preserved silence and not a
movement of the graceful girl escaped
his vigilant eye. He did ncl even shi..
his attitude, fearing he might arouse
his companions who were resting on
the touches of the long apartment. and
he cared not to disturb them What
could be the meaning of the strange
procedure the lovely Mexican girl
AS she stood with her fingers over her
lips she glanced over her shoulder
to make sure that her movements were
nOt observed by other than the young
American. Assuring herself that she
had not been suspected or watched
she glded up as.close to the window
she we'll could, and VIII spered in a mu.
steal voice:
Look, senior | place this down
here for you. Get and read it as soon
as | am gone"
And as she uttered these words she
stopped nd placed note under a rose
bush. Then plucking several blossoms
from the bush to avert suspicion ii she
should be seen in that quart =, she
turned quickly and lett him withou.
vouchsating him another glance from
her dark orbs.
Leo's curiosity was deeply stirred
Here was promise OF romance and adj
venture beyond the specter OF a doubt.
He gazed after the girl until she was
lost from view. lie was fully satisfied
that she was a lady OF considerable
refinement, but in some trouble. from
which, no doubt, she hoped he might
be instrumental in etieCtIng her re.
lease.
When they had ridden into the plaza
that evening Leo Gordon had noticed
at the blinds of the easement seyera
feminine forms and aces. But 50 care.
fully had they concealed themselves
that the American had caught but q
transient glimpse OF them.
Pm Just IN the right mood Tor an adj
venture, he saidto himself. I'm secure
that note under the rosebush if the Old
duenna herself rules the flower gar
den"
He stepped softly to the door. which
stood ajar, and passed out. He looked
about HIM circumspectly. Not a soul
was in sight. The night was lovely and
everything seemed To ayor his plans
With an elastic spring, Leo's strong.
well trained limbs carried him over the
fence which shut ont the garden from
their quarters. Once over the fence
Leo salntered nonchalantly toward the
bush where the note of mystery las
hidden
Feigning II admire the roses, he
stopped and, with dcNterOuS graO
soon possessed himself Of the mvstcri.
Gus epistle. He was walking leiSurely
back To his room, with the delicately
scented note thrust in his breast, when
his dlgniied steps were vastly acceler
ated by huge Mexican bloodhoun.
suddenly matsIialz.u@ among the
bushes at the other emit OF the garden
and pluusIng head . y alter h.m.
Leo felt that perhaps the ewes of the
Mexican beauty might be fuliowin.
him and woul have tain preserved hi,
dignity during bis retreat But b,
found il eXpediont To change his vii
after one sweeping glance into the "a
pacious req mouth of the canine mon
ster that had icen so quick to resent al
intrusion on his masters private
grounds.
Leo, Tor once, babe dignity a hast,
farewell and yaulted the fence in tht
very face Of his savage foe. He JUS
barely made his escape and that wa
all. lie congratulated himself. as b,
hastily entered iaa wing Of the hacien
da. that ths, Mexican dress he wor,
had no superiority Of coattaI's 10 hav,
suffered an ingiariaUs aiminution II
length
Safe within the quarters which Ia,
been Reluctantly assigned to him ant
his companions, Leo broke the seal q
the DAINTY little note. and perused Will
eager eyes the finely written lines
sINoRS ANERICNNo> This is peuued y 81 d.
an unfortunate IN alden IS no, believing .,s5
moss x.F s--~v.