The Butler weekly times., 1888-12-12


blossoms from the bush to avert
| suspicion if she should be seen il
that quarter, she turned quickly and
left Linn without vouchsafing him an
| other glance from her dark orbs
Leo's curiosity was deeply stirred
Here was promise of romance and
adventure beyond the specter of s
doubt.
He gazed after the girl until she
was lost from view. He was fully
satisfied that the girl was lady oi
considerable refinement, but in soma
trouble, from which, no doubt, she
hoped he might be instrumental
in effectins 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 carefully had they concealed
themselves that the American had
caught but a transient glimpse at
them.
"I'm just in the right mood for an
adventure" he uttered to himself
'sI'll secure that note beneath the
rose if the old duenna herself rules
the flower garden"
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, and 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 sauntered nom
chalently toward the bush whsre the
note of mystery lay hidden there.
Felgning to admire the roses, he
stopped, and, with a dexterous grab.
soon possessed himself of the mys-
ferrous epistle. He was walking
leisurely back to his room with the
delicately scented note thrust in his
breast, when his dignitied steps We're
vastly accelerated by huge Mexi-
can bloodhound suddenly material
izing among the bushes at the other
end of the garden, and plungins
headlons after him.
Leo felt that perhaps the eyes OF
the Mexican beauty might be follow.
ing him and would fain have pr,.
served his dignity during the retreat.
But he found it expedient to change
his will ''fter one sweeping glance in
to the capacious red mouth of the
Gamma monster that had been SO
quick to resent an intrusion on his
masters private grounds.
Leo, for once, bade dignity hasty
farewell and vaulted the fence in the
very face of his savage foe. He Just
barely made his escape and that was
all. He congratulated himself as he
hastily y entered the wings of his ha-
cienda. that the Mexican dress that
he wore had no superfiuity of coat
tails to haye suffered an inglorious
elimination in length.
Safe within the quarters which
had been reluctantly assigned to
him and his companions, Leo broke
the seal of the dainty little note and
perused with eager eyes the follow
ing finely written lines:
Seniors Americanos: This is pen
ned you by an unfortunate maiden,
who believing in your nobleness Of
soul, implores your help to save her
from a cruel fate.
My father, the ranchero, who re-
luctlantly permits you to pass the
night here, intends to force me to
wed, this night, an officer in the
army of Naximillian, a man whom ]
most vehemently detest; but he holds
some great power over my father
and l am to be the victim to annuI
that power.
The man I truly love is Ell Cap
tain Eznaldo, one of the bravest i,
the army of our chief, Juarez. Ide
sire to the protection of my lover