Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1889-10-17


not discom-
future at the termination of the civil
struggle, with its very unexpected re-
suit, so much as the spirit of adven-
ture, which led Leo to abandon his
plantation on the Pearl River and seek
that land of thrilling romance, Mex
leo, then in belligerent state.
Leo cast his fortune with the army
of Juarez, then fighting bitterly
against Maximilian, and many were
the respect of his comrades and the
great chief himself. But it is not of
my friends services in that struggle l
shall write, but of certain adventure,
rose-hued deeply with romance, that
was far from an ordinary one, in
which Leo played prominent part.
With several comrades my friend
had gone one night to the luxurious
hacienda of a very wealthy Mexican
ranchero, and begged the savage
.br0wed master TO let them pass the
night there. ----------
Their request was at first refused,
but after much persuasion it was some
what sullenly granted
The hacienda had long, partially
furnished wing that was not used by
the ranchero's family; this was as
signed to the accommodation of the
half-dozen Americans who had asked
to pass the night in the hacienda, and
where they should remain wholly to
themselves.
The moon was up and silvering the
brow of warm, delicious night with
wealth of pellucid splendor. Glancing
out of one of the long, narrow windows
of the wing, Leo beheld the ample
flower gardens of his host. The beau
tiful blossoms, with their rich per-
fumes waited to him ever and anon by
the bland south winds, carried the
young Southerner back to his home on
the Pearl, with its hower-decked walks
and balmy hooks. So lost was he in
the memories the lovely scene had
aroused, that he did not at first oh
approaching the window from which he
leaned.
As she drew near the window the
young soldier caught sight of her She
raised one hand in warning, and
placed the forefinger over her crimson
lips to enjoin his silence.
This is mystery personifed," said
Leo to himself.
But he kept silent. He did not even
shift his attitude, as he did not wish to
arouse his companions, who were rest
ing on the couches of the large apart
meHt,, near by, and he feared any
movement or is part might disturb
them, SO he watched carefully every
step of the Mexican girl, and waited to
learn the meaning of her strange pro
cedule.
AS she stood with her fingers oven
her lips, she glanced. quickly over her
shoulder to make certain that her
movements were not observed by any
other than the American with whom
her business evidently lay. Assuring
herself that she had not not been
watched or suspected, she glided close
up to the window and whispered in
hasty but musical voice:
"Look, senior! [ place this down
here for you. Get out and read it as
soon as 1 am gone"
AS she spoke she stopped and placed
note under rose-bush. Then,
plucking several blossoms from the
bush, to avert suspicion if she was
seen in that quarter, she turned and
left him without youchsating another
glance in his direction.
Leo's curiosity was deeply stirred
Here was promise of romance and adj
venture certainly.
He gazed after the girl until she was
lost to view. He remarked that the
girl was very pretty, but he was salts
fled she was not of the higher walks of
life. When they had ridden into the
plaza that evening he had noticed, at
the blinds of the easement, several
feminine forms and faces. But they
had so concealed themselves that Leo
and his companions had caught but
transient glimpse of them.
"I'm ever ready to take part in an
adventure" he uttered to himself,
"and I'll secure that note beneath the
rose if the old duenna herself rules the
garden"
He walked to the door, opened it,
and passed out. He looked about him.
No one was in sight. With an elastic
spring his strong, well-trained limbs
carried him over the fence which shut
IN the garden from their quarters.
Once over the fence, Leo sauntered
rather carelessly toward the bush
where the note lay hidden for him.
Felgnlng to admire the roses, he
stopped, and with quick grasp pos
'essed himself of the mysterious note.
He was walking leisurely back to cover,
with the delica tely scented note thrust
in his breast, v hen his steps were vast
ly accelerated by n huge Mexican
bloodhound suddenly materializing
among the br,shes at the other end Of
the garden, and plunging after him.
Leo felt that the dark orbs of the
fair lady might be following him, and
he would fain have been dignified in
his retreat. But he found it very ex-
pedien, to change his will in the case,
after Jne sweeping glance into the ca
pac'ous red mouth of the canine mon
stgr in hot pursuit, who had been so
speedy to resent an intrusion on his
masters private and beautiful grounds.