The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-07-24

CHANGED HIS MIND.

CHANGED HIS MIND.
Harry Reeds life had been spent for the
most pan 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, ct last awakening to q
sense Of her selflshness In keeping him
constantly at her side, sent him on west
ern trip for n change, the aotivo 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 time do
pendent upon the world.
While at Socorro, N. NJ, he was wnn.
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 ut them with respectful admira-
ton and curiosity. Yet ono pair Of eyes
glanced into his, and in youth one look is
enough. This one who most attracted his
attention was tall girl with black hair
and eyes. Her face was clcar and colorless
except her lips, which were scarlet Her
greatest attraction was her graceful man
ner and 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. Ho 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
crcetly 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 basket. With
the aid Of q stick he .limped along and
went by the convent. As luck would have
it, tho young lady he SO admired was
! in the yard. With girlish curiosity she
leaned over the fence to glance at the arti-
clos in the old vendors basket. Ono Of
1.-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 preliininaries or another opportu-
nifty, but with the ardor of tho young
poured out the whole story of his sudden
affection. In romantic youth who would
not be captivated by such flattcring dcvo-
tionf The sister was coming toward
them, but the young girl managed to give
her namc-Florita SancbcZ-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 hillt' "....
A Harry walked away so full of blissful
, dreams that he fell right into the arms OF
constable coming TO arrest him. The
town had been troubled for some time by
petty thcfts and more serious burglarics
Tho 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 II house dressed like u gentle,
. man and aftcrward appeared as poor old
Mexican peddler. So he escorted the
young fellow before u justice of the peace
The trial given Harry afterwarl caused
him great uncasinoss. 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. HI
/. had heard enough about the primitive and
expeditions methods Of frontier Justice t.
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
Y and false beard, felt moro like himself
When called to the stand, he asked to b.
! allowed to tell his story. With many
bushes, it must be confessed yet with
great candor, he explained tho situation
, to the satisfaction Of the justice IAN the
: world loves lover" The threatening
. faces Of the crowd became friendly and
smiling. The court adjourned with q
y laugh us tho justice, portly, good natured
: man, slapped Harry ON the back and cried
j. out: well, you re released. / wish you
:. success. Go in and win by all means, ole
t 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 computations Of Scnol
:. Rodriguez, another lover, whose ranch nd
: Joined her fathers ut san Antonio.
= Harry soon journCycd toward the town
i where he expected to meet again the Mcxi
can beauty. He obtained u room Mt u sinal
u hotel. a few white people were in bust
II ness in the place, but for tho most part til,
y villagers were Moxicans. Their adubt
houses and walled in gardens were vcr,
. curious to him. Every yard was gay witt
y flowers, and there was "a general appear
:, ancc of thrift and independence not alway,
o seen in similar settlements. The dark cyeI
u senoras, all in black, with their grave re
y boHOs carclessly thrown over their heads
:, walked slowly along under the trees. II,
l.. regarded them with new respect. Some q
y them might be Flurita's relatives. III,
o mon were mainly conspicuous by thei
broud brimmed, tall crowned hats. On
!, day he passed the girl homo and saw he
! father. The old scnur's height and fierce
!. ness of aspect were of sort to strike ter
10 ror to timid heart, but tho sonora wa
4. very gentle and motherly looking
I, The next evening Florita arrived on,
II of tho sisters having brought her home
9 In a day or two Harry went 10 the hous
y y and made call. He was charmed, h
=. said with tho senor's garden. Night h
4 go into 1t and Look around more closely
I0l The senior was pleased to unlock the littl
J, gate and show his vegetables vines ant
~ fruit trees. After that Harry made man,
"a calls and was received with great ecremon,
B. in n wide, cool hall 0rnamented with pi
d ano and guitar, on which Florita was sup
l. posed to show the accomplishments gainct
IS at the convent; also n frequent visito
y hero WIS senior Rodriguez who seemed
II great friend of the family.
n. Harry never had an opportunity I
!. speak to Florita alone, but with the Opt
Of mism Of youth he believed that She accept
20 ed his affection and he could afford t
10 wait. In confident happiness he wrote t
" his mother all about 1t, receiving In repl
n torrent of abuse, coupled with the con-
mand to return home at once. You
western trip must have turned your braiT
pt You send us pages about Mexican gil
q q who, suppose goes bnrcfooted and weai
: a ring in her hose, wrote the indignar
10 lady, who was apt to become confused /
t. her ideas by excitement. OF cours
Il. Harry did not go back. He had bee
plentifully supplied with money, and /
~ determined tn remain as long us that hcl
=, :, out, Mt any rate.
a. To add to his trouble the old senor o.
l,..arn