The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-10-01
copyrighted 1921
CHAPTER III.-coNTINUED.


But the past was beyond remedy; it
was his concern to deal with the pres
ent. In few seconds Grace entered the
curiosity-room, followed by Professor
Meschines, and by a dashing young
Mexican senior, whom Freeman had met
the previous evening, and who was called
Don Miguel Mendoza. The senior. to
judge from his manner, had already
fallen violently in love with Grace, and
was almost dislocating his organ of speech
IN the effort to pay her romantic compli-
ments in English. Freeman observed
this with unalioyed satisfaction. But the
look which Grace bent upon him and
change which passed over her mobile
countenance, went far to counteract this
agreeable impression.
One story is good until another is told.
Freeman had really thought Grace fas-
cInating girl until he saw Miriam. There
was no harm in that; the trouble was, he
had allowed Grace to perceive his admit
ration. He had already remarked that
she was creature of violent extremes,
tempered but not improved by thin
polish OF subtlety. She was now about to
give an illustration of the passion of
jealousy. But it was not her jealousy
that Freeman minded-it was the pros
pect OF Mirlam's scorn when she should
Surmise that he had given Grace cause TO
be jealous. Miriam was not the sort of a
character to enter into competition with
any other woman about a lover. He
would lose before he had chance to try
TO win her.
But fortune proved rather more favor
able than Freeman expected, or, per-
haps, than he deserved. Grace's attack
was too lmpetuous. She stopped just in
side the threshold, and said, in an impet-
uouS tone, Come here, Mr.. Freeman,
wish TO speak to YOU"
THANK you," he replied, resolving at
once to widen the breach to the utmost
extent possible, Il am otherwise en-
gagged"
upon my word" observed the Pro-
lessor, with chuckle, YOU'RE no diplo-
matlst, Harvey What are you two about
here? Investigating antiquities"
The remains of ancient Mexico are
more interesting than some of her recent
products" returned Mr. Freeman, who
wished to quarrel with somebody, and
had promptly decided that Senior Don
Miguel de Mendoza was the most avail
able person. He bowed to the latter as
he spoke.
''You-a-spoken to me?" said the
senior, stepping forward with polite
grimace. Il no do quite comprehendj'
Pray don't exert yourself to converse
with me out of your own language,
senor," interrupted Freeman, in Span
Ish. Il was just remarking that the
Spaniards seem to have degenerated
greatly since they colonized Mexico.'
'SenorI' exclaimed Don Miguel, stiff
fening and staring.
benevolently upon him, 81 Judge only
from such specimens of the modern Mex
lean as happen to meet with"
Don MiguePs sallow countenance turned
greenish white. But, before he could
make q reply, Meschines, who scented
mischief in the air. and OWNED that the
gentler sex must somehow be at the bot
tom of it struck in.
You may consider yourself lucky.
Harvey, in making the acquaintance of a
gentleman like Senior de Mendoza, who
exemplities the undimmed virtues of
Cortez and Torquemada. For my part, [
brought him here in the hope that he
might be able to throw some light on the
mystery of this embroidered garment
which l see you've been examining.
What do you say, Don Miguel? Have
these designs any significance beyond
mere ornaments Anything in the nature
of hieroglyphics?''
The senior was obliged to examine and
enter into discussion, though. of course,
his ignorance OF the subject in dispute
was as the depths of that abyss which has
no bottom. Miriam, who was not fond
of Don Miguel, but who felt Constrained
to exceptional courtesy in view of Free
mans unwarrantable stack upon him,
stood beside him and the Professor, and
freeman and Grace were thus left to
fight it out with each other.
But Grace had drawn her own conclu-
sions from what had passed. Freeman
had lnsulted Don Miguel. Wherefore?
Obviously, 1t could only be because he
thought that she was flirting with him.
In other words, Freeman was Jealous;
and to be Jealous is to love Now Grace