Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-07-13
CHANGED HIS MIND.

Harry Reeds life had been spent for the
most part in his mothers sickroom. He
had cared for her as daughter would have
done and many an hour he had spent read
ing stories to the chronic invalid. He was
egotistical and romantic and at 10
thought himself very old young man.
When Mrs Reed, at last awakening to a
sense of her selfshness in keeping him
constantly at her SIDE sent him on a west
ern trip for change, the active life and
scenes about him were novel to his mex
perienced eyes. So little had his time and
thoughts been his own that he was now
like child thrown for the first timo de-
pendent upon the world.
While at Socorro, N NJ, he was wan
dering around when he passed the con-
vent. Some young girls were starting for
walk, following two white capped, black
robed nuns. Very discreet and demure the
scholars looked, hardly daring to lift their
eyes toward the handsome young man
staring at them with respectful admira-
ton and curiosity. Yet one pair of eyes
glanced into his and in youth one look is
enough. This one who most attracted his
attention was a tall girl with black hair
and eyes. Her face was clear and colorless
except her lips which were scarlet Her
greatest attraction was her graceful man
ner and a charming air she had of distinc-
ton and dignity. Harry decided she was
the most beautiful girl he had ever seen
and called her, in his thoughts, the Spanish
princess. He haunted the convent and
was rewarded once by sight of her at an
open window. He lifted his hat, and she
did not look displeased, although she dis
creetly closed the blind, hut this may have
been because the priest was just then en-
tering the gate
Harry went home and planned q skill
full disguise-that of an elderly Mexi-
can selling wares out of o basket. With
the aid of a stick he limped along and
went by the convent. AS luck would have
it, the young lady he so admired was
in the yard. With girlish curiosity she
leaned over the fence to glance at the arti-
Giles in the old vender's basket. One of
s'the sisters" standing at the window,
looked at the scene, but she evidently
thought there was no harm in an elderly
Mexican. Meanwhile Harry did not wait
for any preliminaries or another oppor5u-
nifty, but with the ardor of the young
poured out the whole story of his sudden
affection. In romantic youth, who would
not be captivated by such fattering devo-
ton? The sister was coming toward
them, but the young girl managed to give
her name-Florita Sanchez-and to muir
muir in perfect English: II will be home
next month at San Antonio. Look for
the large adobe house, with porch all
around, up ON the hillG'
Harry walked away SO full of blissful
dreams that he fell right into the arms of
a constable coming to arrest him. The
town had been troubled for some time by
petty thefts and more serious burglaries.
The police were watching zealously, and
this constable, whose home was in the
vicinity of Harry's boarding house, had
his own suspicious views of young man
who entered a house dressed like a gentle
man and afterward appeared as a poor old
Mexican peddler So he escorted the
young fellow before justice of the peace.
The trial given Harry afterward caused
him great uneasiness. He saw that he
was regarded with suspicion, and he
viewed with alarm the crowd of wild,
rough looking fellows gathered in the
adobe room where court was held. he
had heard enough about the primitive and
expeditions methods Of frontier justice to
believe that his life was in danger.
He had begged to have his own clothes
brought from the boarding house, and,
having changed, removing also his wig
and false beard, felt more like himself.
When called to thu stand, he asked to be
allowed to tell his story. With many
bushes it must be confessed, yet with
great candor, he explained the situation
to the satisfaction of the justice. "All the
world loves a lover" The threatening
faces of the crowd became friendly and
smiling. The court adjourned with q
laugh as the justice, a portly, good natured
man, slapped Harry on the back and cried
out: "Well, you're released. wish you
success. Go in and win by all means, old
boy" The story created great amusement
in the town, but it did not pass the con.
vent walls, where Florita thought of him,
and with uneasy compunctions of Senior
Rodriguez, another lover, whose ranch ad-
Joined her fathers at San Antonio.
Harry soon journeyed toward the town,
where he expected to meet again the Next
can beauty. He obtained room at small
hotel. A few white people were in bust
ness in the place. but for the most part the
villagers were Mexicans Their adobe
houses and walled in gardens were very
curious to him. Every yard was gay with
flowers, and there was a general appear
Ance Of thrift and independence not always
yeen in similar settlements The dark eyed
senoras, all in black, with their grave re-
bozos carelessly thrown over their heads,
walked slowly along under the trees. He
regarded them with new respect. Some OF
them might be Florita's relatives The
men were mainly conspicuous by theil
broad brimmed, tall crowned hats. One
day he passed the girls home and saw heI
father. The old senor's height and fierce
ness of aspect were Of a sort to strike ter.
Tor to timid heart, but the sonora was
very gentle and motherly looking.
The next evening Florita arrived, one
of the sisters having brought her home
In day or two Harry went to the house
and made a call. He was charmed, hi
said, with the senor's garden. Might hi
go into it and look around more closely
The senior was pleased to unlock the little
gate and show his vegetables, vines ant
fruit trees. After that Harry made man!
calls ana was received with great ceremon,
in q wide, cool hall ornamented with pi
ano and 0uitar. on which Florita was sup