Rock Island daily Argus., 1888-12-15
TULA VELASQUEZ.

Leo Gordon was a handsome young south |
erner, whose home was on the balny ban,s |
OF the Pearl river. He had served in the |
Confederacy with all the enthusiasm and |
confidence that characterized the most in
trepid wearers of gray. 1t was not so much |
the discontinue he felt at the termination of |
the civil struggle, as it was the spirit of ad- |
Venture, which had led Leo to abandon his
southern home and seek that land of thrilling
romance, Mexico. Leo found Mexico then
IN belligerent state Immediately on his
landing he joined the army of Juarez, who
was fighting against Maxirnilian.
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 adyen-
ture, deeply rose hued with romance. in
Which Leo played an active part.
Win several of his friends, who had fol-
lowed him from the United States, Leo went
one night to the luxurious hacienda of a yery
wealthy Mexican ranchero, and asked the
savage browed master to grant them per-
palssion to pass the night there.
" With a few crusty words in a surly voice
e ranenero refused the request. But the
nericans persuaded, and on their saying at
that they were determined to stay any
rhaN he gruffly and sullenly acquiesced to
lodging beneath his roof
Tho hacienda had somewhat rambling,
partially furnished wing that was used by
the rancheros family, but had long ago been
abandoned to the bats and spiders. This wing
was assigned to the accommodation of the
ha1 dozen adventurous Americans who had
insisted on passing the night at the hacienda
here they would be wholly to themselves.
save the stealthy gnaying that broke the 81
lehce OF those unused rooms and suggested a
!, multitude of rats.
The moon was up and was altering her sill
very Deans over the breast of the warm, de.
ilclous night Leo was leaning out of one of
Dsehe long, narrow windows of the wing. look.
ing with sincere admiration at the ample and
beautiful Hover gardens of his host The
MOWERS, IN the moons wealth of pellucid
splendor, with their rich perfumes tossed to
hlm ever and anon by the bland south winds,
carried the young southerner's mind back to
his home on the Pearl, with its flower be-
decked walks and balmy hooks.
So lost was he in the memories which the
scene before him evoked, that at first he did
not observe a beautiful Mexican girl ap-
preaching the window from which he
issned.
As she drew nearer the young soldier be.
came aware Of her presence She was verv
handsome. Her form, which was plump
was richly clad Her eyes were dark and in
teligent. She looked searchilgly at Leo,
and, as if satisfied with her swift scrutiny,
cta sod Et 1
and placed the forefnger over her crimson
lips to enjoin his silence.
"This is mystery personifedr' 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 grill
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 that she had not been sus-
pected and watched, she gLded up as close to
the window as she well could and whispered
in musical voice:
Look, senor. l place this down here for
you. Get and read 1t as soon as am gone. ~
And as she uttered these words she stopped
and placed a note under rosebush. 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 vouchsaing him another glance from
her dark orbs.
Leo's curiosity was deeply stirred. Here
was promise OF romance and adventure u
yond the specter OF doubt.
He gazed after the girl until she was lost
from view. He was fully satisfied that the
girl was q lady of considerable refinement,
but in some trouble, from which, no doubt,
she hoped be might be instrumental in effect
ing 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 con
cealed themselves that the American had
caught but a transient glimpse Of them.
"Im Just in the right mood for an adven.
ture,n he uttered TO himself. I'm 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 hin
circumspectly. Not soul was in sight
The night was lovely, and everything seenet
to favor his plans.
With an elastic spring, Leos strong, wei
trained limbs carried him over the fenc,
which shut out the garden from their guar
ters. Once over the fence Leo saunteret
nonchalantly toward the bush where th
note of mystery lay hidden.
Feigning to admire the roses, be stopped
and, with deXterous grab, soon possesse,
himself of the mysterious epistle. He wa
walking leisurely back to his room with tn
delicately scented note thrust in his breast
when his dignifed steps were vastly accel
Grated by huge Mexican bloodhound sud
denly materiahzirg among the bushes at tn
other end Of the garden, and plunging heac
long after him.
Leo felt that perhaps the eyes OF the Mex
can beauty might be following him an
would have fain preserved his dignity du
ing the retreat. But he found it expedier
to change his will after one sweeping glanc
into the capacious red mouth of the caniI
monster that had been so quick to resent a
intrusion on his masters private grounds
Leo, for once, bade dignity a hasty farewe
and vaulted the fence in the very face of h
savage foe. He just barely made his escap
and that was ALL lie congratulated himsel
as he hastily entered the wing of the b
cienda, that the Mexican dress be wore ha
no superfluity OF coat tails to have suffers
al inglorious dminution in length.
Safe within the quarters which had bee
reluctantly assigned to him aud his compal
ions, Leo broke the seal of the dainty lit
note, and perused with eager eyes the follow
ing finely written lines:
SENoRs ATERICAEos-This is penned you by
unfortunate maiden, who. believing in your nobl
ness OF soul, inlpiores your help to save her fro
Q cruel fate.
Ny father, the rancheTo, who reluctantly DC
mits you TO pass the night here, intends to for
me to wei, this night, an officer in the army
Maximilian, man whom / most vehemently q
test; but he holds some great power over Il
father, and Am to be the victim to annul th
power.
The man love Is Il Captain Eznaho, one
the bravest in the army Of our chief, Juarez.
desire TO flee 10 the protection of my lover, ant
implore your aid that may do So
The ceremony is TO be held at 10 O'Clock
night, when that detested man, Col Henrq
Fernandez, will b. here TO claim me-
He dare not venture into the lines of Juarez q
cept under cover Of deep night. The little chap
which you may easily see from the wing viii
you occupy, Is the place where the marriage ri
are to be performed
In writing this. good brave Seniors Americana
Iappeal 60 youg goodness of heart to save
from this living death, and in so dong you "
ever recsive the sincere prayers Of poor, unhap
TUIA VELAsQUEz
p. S.-My trn.'5 IL 2-la, will have hors