The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-03-28
10 the English selections in order to un-

10 the English selections in order to un-
derstand them..
Teresa Valencia, emerged from the
chrysalis vestments of her convent life,
appeared first, the salutatorian of her
class, clad in white relieved by little
color in ribbons and flowers. The ex-
citement Of the moment had brought o
delicate blush rose tint to her cheeks,
and the slight tremor of voice in which
she read her opening lines added to her
charms the grace Of modesty.
Raymer felt grateful to Mrs. Stock
ton for giving him this enjoyable hour.
He half suspected she read his thoughts,
for there was suppressed twinkle lin
gering in the corner Of her eyes when
his glance met hers The reader, recall
ing the lady's remark as reported by
Lieutenant Reed, "that II she was Q
young American gentleman she would
make it the object Of her life to win this
treasure" may infer that she had
marked Raymer for the invincible hero
Of her romance.
After the last blare Of the monastic
band 8 somewhat discordant rendition Of
"Sweet Home the bishops chair was
moved to the center Of the stage by two
young priests and table placed beside
it. Upon this lay rosaries, orucifixes
prizes to be awarded those exoelling in
scholarship, conduct, punctuality and
devotion. Each prize winner, after re-
ceiving her award, accompanied by the
episcopal benediction, left the stage and
sought out parent or guardian, into
whose hands she gave the prize and re-
ceived it again with blessing and con-
gratulations. The last prize given was
the highest and was awarded Teresa
Inez Valencia for best average scholar
ship. Upon receiving 1t she came down
into the court and made her way through
the crowded passages to handsome
gentleman sitting at Raymer' 8 right and
delivered her prize into his hands. As
he took it from her he rose, bowed gal
lantly, and placing hand gently upon
her head, as she bent before him, said
in English: my darling, You fill my
heart with pride. God bless youl''
'"Thank you, papa You have been
my best teacher, and I owe my success
to you," replied Teresa in the same
language, again receiving the gift and
returning with it to the stage.
With some appropriate service Of the
church the exercises closed, and the au-
dience soon dispersed. All resemblance
to an eastern school ceased with the
benediction. The girls, wrapped in
cloaks, their heads obscured in rebozos,
were crowded into closed carriages and
whisked from sight without delay Ray
mer accompanied Mrs. Stockton to the
fort, thanked her for the pleasant enter
tainment she had afforded him and
started for a long walk to the eastern
side of the city.
Leaving the plaza at the southeastern
corner and descending to the river
which divides the town, he crossed to
the opposite side. There was but rill
of water in the bed, the bulk having
been drawn into the irrigating ditches
far above and conducted to the fertile
fields and gardens which extended for
many miles outside and below the city.
He walked along the narrow, dirty and
crooked streets, bordered by small,
shabby one storied houses Of adobe, be-
fore which played naked children and
III the doors of which stood dark COM
plexioned women, Glad in red flannel
petticoats and white cotton camisas, the
common dress of the common people.
Huge, lank Mexican dogs rushed out
Of alleys with furious barking, instinc-
lively recognizing the lieutenant to be
of q race alien to their masters and as
instinctively understanding that the
safest course for dog was to attempt
nothing worse than bark.
The walk was continued to q ranch
several miles beyond the outskirts of the
city, where the lieutenant remained the
guest OF the owner until evening, when
he started homeward.
The return route passed in front of
the convent and entered the plaza at the
northeastern corner. When Raymer ap-
preached the river, he saw on the oppo-
site side long mule train entering the
city with freight brought across the
plains from the far distant Missouri.
Whips were popping and drivers shout.
ing in exhilaration begot of prospective
rest from long and wearisome journey
and the thought Of dissipation in q
round Of fandangoes and monte.
Raymer's rapid stride soon brought
him alongside the straining mules and
creaking wagons, and he was nearly op-
posite the convent entrance when he OBJ.
served two women and man coming
down the street. One woman was un-
mistakably an ancient duena, and the
other appeared to be young lady, her
face and figure closely concealed in re-.
bozo and capa. The man was young and
richly clad in a Mexican costume of
black, bespangled with small buttons,
plates, buckles and lace Of silver. When
the party reached the middle of the
train, brawny, rough bearded wagon
master, dressed in grimy suit of fringe
buckskin, sprang from his horse, and
throwing his reins to driver shouted,
"Here's for the first kiss Of senorital"
at the same time attempting to pass his
arm about the waist Of the young wom-
an.