Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1889-11-16

'SsSsssS 49, gray. 1t was
not discom-
fiturc at the termination of the civil
struggle, with its very unexpected re-
suit, 50 much IS the spirit Of adyen-
| turc, which led Leo to abandon his
plantation Oh the Pearl River and seek
that land q Thrilling romance, Mex
Ic". thc1 IN belliRecent state.
80 cast his fortune with the army
II }''orez, them aghting bitterly
against MaAiuihaM, and many were
fI9 hlsNr deeds. which won for him
| tho respect Of his comrades md the
grca. chi"i himself Eut il is not Of
nt lends services il that struggle |
shalt wlitr but Of certain adventure,
ro.c iucd deeply with romance, thu.
"aS far from au ordinary one, In
which l.'" played a prominent part.
With several comrades my friend
had gone enc night to the luXuriuua
hacienda of very wealthy Mexican
caHchcrn, and begged The savage
proved master 10 let them pass the
nigh; tllorc.
| Their request vas at first refused,
but after much persuasion it was some
what suddenly granted.
he hacienda had long partially
furnished wing that WAS not used by
| the rnrchc"o's family: this was as
signed TO the accommodation Of tho
Ea!f-'!oEep Americans who had asked
TO as IL" night in the hacienda, ard
where they should remain wholly to
| thcnGsivcs.
| The moon was mp and silvering The
brow Of warn, delicious night with h
wealth OF poiiucid splendur CHANGING
Jut If one IF the long narrow windows
Of tho wing. Leo heheld the ample.
tioN or gardens ui hi, host. The beau
tifgu blossoms, with their rich per
fumes waited ia him ever and anon by
tho bland south Winds, carried the
| Young Noutherner back to his home on
the Pearl, with it, itower-decked walks
and balmy n""hs. SO lost was he in
the memories the lovely scene had
arolsei. that he did not at first oh
serve young Mexican girl cautiously
approaching the window from which he
'eaucd.
As she drew near the window the
young soldier caught sight Of her. She
raised oae hand in warning, and
| placed the foI Ginger over her crimson
lips TO enioin 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 We're rest.
ing on the touches Of the large apart
ment, near by, and he feared any
movement on his part might disturb.
them. So he watched carefully every
step Of the Mexican girl, and waited tc
learn the meaning Of her strange pro
ceduIe
As she stood with her fingers over
her lips, She glanced quickly over her
| shoulder to make certain that her
movements were not observed by any
ether 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 il a
hasfy but musical voice:
Look, senior, ] place this down
here for YOU. Get out and read it as
soon as ] am gone
As she spoke she stopped and placed
note under rosebush Then,
plucking several blossoms from the
bush, to avert suspicion if she was
7ecn IL that quarter she turned and
left him without vouchsafing another
| glance IN his direction.
Leo's curiosity was deeply stirred
Her" " rs promise of romance and adj
venture certainly
He gazcd after the girl until she was
| los: 10 view. He remarked that the
| girl Wa very pretty. but he was salts
led she was not cf the higher walks ri
| lite. When they had ridden into the
plaza that c1 ening he had noticed, Vt
the blinds Of the easement, several
| feminine forms and faces. Bat they
| had So concealed themselves that Leo
| and ms companions mad caught bat :
transient glimpse OF them.
I'm ever ready to take part III an
adventure" he uttered 10 himself
and I'll secure that note beneath the
rose il the old duenna herself rules the
garden"
lie walked ia the door, opened il,
and passed ont. He looked about MIN,
No one v as in sight. With an elasti,
spling his strong. we'll trained limbs
carried him over the fence which shut
ia tho garden from their quarters.
Once over In" fence, Leo sauntered
rather carelescly toward the bust
where the note lay hidden for him.
Feignipg 10 admire the roses, BE-
stopped, and with Quick grasp pos
scssed himself of tie mysterious note
He was walking leisurely back 20 cover,
with the delicately scented note thrust
in his breast, when his steps were vast
~ accelerated by huge Mexican
bloodhound suddenly materializing
among the bushes At the other end OF
the garden, and plugging Rfte@ him.
Leo felt that the dark orbs OF the
fair lady might be following him, and
he would fain have been dignited in
his retreat. But hs found (: very ex-
pedient TO change his will 10 the case,
after one sweeping glance into the ca
pacious red mouth Of the canine mon
ster IN hot pursuit, who had been SO
speedy to resent an intrusion or his