The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-09-01
TuIa Velasquez.
BY AID II. GIBSON.

leo 1OLuOu WIS hnuNpoho y ouuh
southerner, whose home was on the
balmy banks of the Pearl River. He
had served in the Confederacy with
all the enthusiasm aud confidence that
characterized the most intrepid wear
ers OF gray. 1t was not SO much the
dIscomiitur he felt at the ter
mlnation OF the civil struggle.
as IL was tho spirit OF adj
venturer, which had led Leo TO aban-
don his southern home aud seek that
land OF thrilling romance, Mexico. L.
found Mexico then in belligcrent
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 1t Is not
of his services in that struggle that
we intend TO write; but OF a certain adj
venture. deeply rose -hued with ro.
nance. 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 tho
luxurious hacienda of very wealthy
savage -browed master to grant the IN
permission TO pass the night there.
With a few crusiy words in n 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
gruflly and sulenlg acquiesced to the ir
lodging beneath his roof.
The hacienda had somewhat ramb-
ling. partially furnished wing that was
nscd by the ranchero's family. but had
long ago been abandoned TO the bats
and spiders. This wing was assigned
10 the accommodation of the half-dozen
adventurous Americans. who had in
sisted on passing the night at the
hacienda. Hero they would DO
wholly to themselves. save the stealthy
gnawing that broke the silence of
those unused rooms, and suggested a
multitude Of rats.
The moon was up and was fiterlng
her sivery beams over the breast of
tho warm. delicious night Leo was
leaning out OF one OF the long. narrow
windows OF the wing. looking with
sincere admiration at the ample AMI
beautiful flower gardens OF his host.
The flowers. in the moons wealth of
pellucid splendor with their rich per-
fumes tossed to him ever and anon by
min. IL erta hA
young souiherner's mind back to his
home on the Pearl. with its flower-be-
decked walks and balmy hooks.
So lost was ho in the memories
which the scene before him evoked,
that at first. he did not observe beau
tiful 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.
which was plump. was richly clad.
Her ewes were dark and intelligent
She looked scarchingly Mt Leo. aud N
"a satisfied with her swift scrutiny. she
raised one soft, dimpled hand in warn
ing and placed the foreiinger over her
crimson lips to enioin h silence.
'srhis is mystery porsoniied' Leo
exclaimed within himself.
But he preserved silence, and not n
movement of the graceful girl escaped
his vigIlant eye. He did not even
shift Isis attitude. fearing he might
arouse his companions who were rest
ing on the touches OF the long apart
mont and he carod not to disturb them.
What could be tho meaning of the
strange procedure OF the lovely Moxi.
can girlp
AS she stood with her fingers over
ber iips. she glanced quickly over heI
shoulder TO make sure that her move.
ments were not observed by other thar
the young Amerc can. Assuring her
self that she had not been suspected
and watched, she glided up as close "a
tho window rs she we'll could. anC
whispered in a musical voice:
Look. senorl place this dowr
here for YOU Get and read II as sooi
as am gone
And ms size uttered these words, she
stopped and placed note under a rose
bush. Then plucking several blossoms
from the hush. to avert suspicion. I
she should be seen in that quarter. sh'
turned quickly aud left him withou
vouchsalng him another glance from
her dark orbs.
Leo's curiosity was deeply stirred
Here was promise of romance and al
venture beyond the spectre OF doubt
lie gazed after the girl until she wa