Wichita eagle., 1888-10-16
TULA VELASQUEZ.

Leo Gordon was handsome young south
| erner, whose home was On the balny banks
| Of the Pearl river. He had served In tho
| Contederacy with all the enthusiasm and
confidence taat characterized the most in
trepid wearers Of gray. It was not 50 much
| the discontinue be felt at the termination OF
the civil struggle, IS 1t was the spirit OF adj
| venture, which had he'd Leo to abandon his
southern home and seek that Land Of thrilling
| romance, Mexico. Leo. found Mexico then
! In e beIligerent 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 that struggle that
we intend to write, but Of certain adven-
ture, deeply rose hued with romance, in
which Leo played an active part.
With several Of his friends, who had fol-
lowed him from the United States, Leo went
one night 70 tho luxurious hacienda Of very
wealthy Mexican ranchero, and asked the
savage proved master to grant them per-
mission to pass the night there.
With few crusty words in a surly voice
the ranchero refused the request. But the
Americans persuaded, and on their saying at
last that they were determined to stay any
way, he grufny and sulleniy acQuiesced to
their lodging beneath his roof.
The hacienda had somewhat rambling,
partially furnished wing that was used by
the ranchero'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
insisted on passing the night at the hacienda.
Here they would be wholly to themselves,
save The stealtay gnawing that broke the ST.
lence Of those unused rooms, and suggested
multitude of rats
The moon was up and was ftering her sill
very beams over the breast of the warm, de-
Hcious night. Leo was leaning out OF one Of
the long, narrow windows Of the wing, look
ing with sincere admiration at the ample and
beautiful flower gardens Of his host. The
flowers, In tho moons wealth of pellucid
splendor, with their rich perfumes tossed to
hiIn ever and anon by the bland so,lth winds,
carried the young southerner's mind back to
his home on the Pearl, with its flower be-
decked walks and balny nooks
go lost was he in the memories which the
scene before him evoked, that at first he did
not observe a beautiful Mexican girl APP
preaching the window from which he
leaned
AS she drew nearer the young soldier be-
came aware of her presence She was very
handsome. Her form, which was plump,
was richly clad Her eyes were dark and in
telligent. She looked searchipgly at Leo,
and, as if satisfied with her swift scrutiny,
she raised one soft, dimpled hand in warning
and placed the forehnger over her crimson
lips to enjoin bis silence.
''This is mystery peIsonifed!" Leo ex-
claimed within himself.
But he preserved silence, and not move
ment Of the graceful girl escaped his vigilant
eye. He did not even shift his attitude, fear
ing he might arouse his companions who
were resting on the couches Of the long apart
ment, and he cared not to disturb them.
What could be the meaning OF the strange
procedure of the lovely Mexican girls
AS she'stood with her fingers over her lips
she glanced quickly over her shoulder to
make sure that her movements were not OBJ
served by other than the young American
Assuring herself th;. she had not been sus-
pected and watched, she glided up as close to
the window es she well could and whispered
in musical voice:
you. Get and read it as soon as am gone"
And as she uttered these words she stopped
and placed a note under a rosebush. Then
plucking several blossoms from the bush to
avert suspicion if she should be seen in thas
quarter, she turned quickly and left hiLa
without vouchsafing him another glance from
her dark orbs.
Leo's curiosity was deeply stirred. Here
yond the specter of a doubt.
He gazed after the girl until she was lost
from view. He was fully satisfied that the
girl was a lady Of considerable refinement,
but in some trouble, from which, no doubt,
she hoped he might be instrumental in effect
ing her release.
When they had ridden into the plaza that
evening Leo Gordon had noticed at tho
blinds Of the easement several feminine forms
and faces But SO carefully had they con-
cealed themselves that the American had
caught but transient glimpse Of them.
I'm just in the.right mood for an adven-
ture," he uttered to hilaseH I'm secure
that note beneath tie rose il tho old duenna
herself rules the flower garden"
He stepped softly to the door, which stood
ajar, and passed ont. he looked about him
circunspectly. Not soul was il sight
Tho night was lovely, and everything seemed
to favor his plans
With an elastic spring, Leo's strong, well
trained limbs carried him over the fence
which shut out the garden from their quar-
ters Once over the fence Leo saUntered
nonchalantly toward the bush where tie
note Of mystery lay hidden
Feigntug to admire tie roses, he stopped.
md with de1terous grab soon possessed
himself Of the mysterious eristle. He was
walking leisurely back to his room with the
delicately scented note thrus. il his breast
when his dignihed steps were vastly accel |
Grated by huge Mexican bloodhound sud-
denly natsrialzing among the bushes at tie
other end Of the garden, and piunsing head
long after him.
Leo felt that perhaps the eyes of tie Me1i- |
can beauty might be following him and |
would have fam preserved his dignity dur
ing the retreat. But be found It expedient |
to change his will after one swee-nng glance /
into the capacious red mouth Of the canine !
monster that had been 90 quick to resent an |
intrusion on his masters private grounds.
Leo, for once, babe digRity hasty farewell |
and yaulted the fence il the very face o. his /
savage foe. He Just barely made his escape. |
and that was all he congratulated himself, /
as he hastily e-s1e-ed It's wing o. tie hA- |
cienda, that the Mexlc.n dress be wore had /
no superacity Of coat tails 70 have suffered 4
sn inglorious 6ininutior IL length
Safe within tae quarters which had been 4
assigned to him AID h:s corapsn-
ions, Leo broke the sesi CT the dainty little /
note, and perused with eager eyes the follow.
ing finely written Lines: