San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-06-13

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The JCtC POlttiCo came uD.
On the next day but one, in fact, the
family drove into town, in their ram
shackle conveyance, with two moZOs, or
outriders, both as servants AMI guards,
behind them. 1t was ramshacile not for
want Of a better, since they had the most
modish of everything in their stables at
Mexico, but on account of the condition
of the roads and because most Of the
travelling of the country was done on
horseback.
The del PradOs sat in it beaming with
an air of benevolent contentment. There
were YariOus commissions to be accom-
plished The market arcades, gay as a
scene at the opera, the bizarre figures,
the great rudy water jars, drew forth
the admiration of Amy. For her the
most ordinary details of common life
were full of interest-the theatre, the
hotel, the municipal building, few sol
diers practicing on their bugles before
it, and particularly some prisoners work
ing on the ravements, under guard, who
frightened h"r.
The Madre (lnothcr), as they called
the Sonora 60. PradO-Often varying it
with the atfrrtlOnate diminutiveS of Ma
drecita and Mamacita-assisted by her
daughter, explained everything. She
was al cd lady, with bright eyes, a
large mouth, iron gray hair, and, at a
first glance, Il rather stern look on her
dark face; but this was misleading, for
there was really no unpleasant sternness
about her. She was of a more conserva-
tive cast than the general, coming from
| one Of tie oil, aristOcratiC "Mocho"
families, and having her sympathies still
strongly bound up with them, while her
husban Though he too, to be sure, was
Of Just as 2Ycient ineage-was an en-
| ightened member Of the party of prog
ress and liberal ideas Such intermar-
riages are not infrequent in the country,
and, needless to say, the feminine con-
| servatism ha.; to give way, though max
ing itself much felt under the surface.
They stopped at the drug store, with
| its CUlorrd bOtI.es, the grOCers, with his
long rows Of white tapers suspended be-
fore his door, and then turned down a
| oLIC oIICNL ~ lLlANA a AAGIlC o4LOp
| dried rose leaves and all kinds Of dried
herbs, medicinal and culinary, were ex-
| posed for sala. Just coming out of this
shop as they reached it were two women
in garb resembling that Of nuns and
yet retaining about it something secular.
One of them had perfectly charming
| face, young, rOseate and demure, under
a dark shawl, much heavier than the
usual mantilla. The other was middle
| aged, plain, raw bOned, an entirely mat
ter of fact looking person.
The Sonora del PradO spoke to them
very kindly, and made Amy acquainted
with them, introducing the younger one
as Sister I. &tIiz and the other as Sister
PraxediS.
And what brings you to town today"
she asked them.
1--WE have sold some of our embrOid-
cries and dried herbs" answered Beatriz.
Il am sorry we have not room for you
in the carriage; would like so much to
drive you home"
We do not mind the walk, we are so
well used to it. Besides, we are not 60
ing yet" said Praxedis. Her eyes wan
dered, as if invOluntarily, to the belfry
clock of an old, half ruined church across
the way, beautiful in its decay, as are
myriad more throughout the country
"Ah, yes, you go and pray sometimes
in the garden Of your former convent"
yes, but before that we are going to
breakfast with the senOritas Arroyo.
Many of our friends are very kind to u.s."
They are the aunts of Don Walter.
There are three Of them, and three of the
sisters-DOna Catalina is left at home
and they consort much together" said
the Madre, after the others had gone,
smiling as if with feeling of humOr
about it. The SenOritas Arroyo are
good women. They must have been very
hard to suit in their youth, or some say
their father did not wish them TO marry,
and used all his influence against it.
They have rather spoiled their nephew
by want of tirmness He is too wild
colt for them to manage, though he's
favOrite of mine, too, and has many fine
qualities"
There is Don Walter himself" ex-
claimed Luz, pointing him out.
Yes, with capt. Francisco Perez
again. That man viii bring him to no
good
The saw Walter rsding INFO the ,traAt