Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-10-03
TULA VELASOUEZ.

Leo Gordon was handsome young
Southerner, whose home was on the
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 dis
comfture he felt at the termination of
the civil struggle, as it was the spirit of
adventure, which had led Leo to aban-
don his Southern home and seek the
land of thrilling romance, Mexico.
Leo found Mexico then in a belligerent
state. Immediately on his landing he
] olned the army of JuareZ, who was
fighting against Macmillan.
Many were the brave deeds of Leo
Gordon, which won the respect and adj
miration 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 a certain adventure
deeply rose-hued with romance, 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 the luxurious
hacienda OF very wealthy ranchero,
and asked the savage-browed master to
grant them permission 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 de-
termlned to stay anyway, he gruff1v and
sullenly acqulesced to their lodging be-
meath his root.
The hacienda had a somewhat ram
bling, partially furnished wing that was
llxv& hox .,
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 the 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 filtering
her sllvery 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
tIful flower gardens 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 SOuthe rDer's mind back to his
home on the Pearl, with its fower-be-
decked walks and baimy nooks
So lost was he In the 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.
which was plump, was richly clad.
Her eyes were dark and intelligent.
She looked searchingly at Leo, and, as
If satisfied with her swift scrutiny, she
raised one soft, dimpled hand in warn
ing, and placed the forefinger over her
crimson lips to enjoin his silence
This is mystery personifed % Leo
exclaimed within himself.
But he preserved silence, and not
movement of the graceful girl escaped
his vigiiant eye. He did not even shift
his attitude, fearing he might arouse
his companions who were resting On
the couches of the long apartment, and
he cared not to disturb them What
could be the meaning of the strange
procedure O. 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 glided up as close to the window as
she well could, and whispered in 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 and placed a note under rose
bush. Then plucking several blossoms
from the bush to avert suspicion if she
should be seen IN that quarter, she
turned quickly and left him without
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 doubt.
He eazed alter the girl until she was
lost from view. He was fully satisfied
tGat she was a lady of considerable
refinement, but in some trouble. from
which, no doubt, she hoped he might
be instrumental in efeCt1ng her re-
lease.
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 care
fully had they concealed themselves
transient glimpse 1T them.
1'Im just in the right mood for an ad
venture, /" he said to himself. ''I'll 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 avor 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 sauDtered nonchalantly toward the
bush where the note of mystery lay
hidden.
Feigning to admire the roses, he
stopped, and, with dexterous grab,