The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-05-02
CHAPTER VII


rode into the parade and dismounted
Passing the reins to the waiting Cain,
he went in the direction of his quarters,
and through the windows saw Jenny
preparing the table for supper. Before
the hearth sat Dona Teresa penciling
something on fyleaf of the little mis-
sal.
Pausing until she had finished writ
ing, the lieutenant stamped the snow
from his feet and opened the door,
Teresa was standing near the fire, look
ing into the blaze, and the missal occu
pied its old place on the bookshelf.
1.-THE road is open, Miss Valencia"
said he, approaching the fire and spread
ing his hands to its genial warmth.
"The sky is clear and still, and my pre-
diction of this morning is likely to prove
true
''Thank you so much. Aren't you
cold after whole day in the snow?"
moving chair toward the hearth and
taking his overcoat, gloves and cap.
"Hands and feet slightly chilled. 1t
was not uncomfortable in the sunlight
during the day, but it became little
cold after sunset.
"Was it necessary for you to superin-
tend the work."
"Perhaps not. 1t would have been as
well done in charge of a sergeant or cor
poral, but l wanted to explore the road
half dozen miles into the forest to see
if we shall meet any obstacles tomor-
row."
"Need you accompany me tomorrow"
''It is better that should go ON many
accounts. 1t is not likely that Indians
will be on the trail, but I should fear
for your safety if remained behind"
"Indians do not 60 on the warpath in
winter, l have been told. "
f'Not generally. Government is car
rying on the war through the winter,
the troops having an advantage now
they cannot have in the summer, when
the Indians ponies are in their best con-
dition. OF course it is impossible for
them to operate in this snowy waste, but
\the valley of the Jemez affords some
Ege, and it forms a section Of one Of
Eoutes to their country. But really
is not one chance in thousand
ball meet an Indian"
not, replied Teresa, with
nueH earHestness. Jenny, you may
serve the supper. We have made this
something of a dinner, Mr. Raymer, as
you have been out since breakfast"
"The hour will seem more homelike
too. We early risers cannot follow fash
ionable usage"
Host and guest sat down to their last
meal together in the camp. Raymer, in
very desperation at the thought of los
ing sight of this lovely girl, launched
into q sea of commonplaces, avoiding
the subject nearest his heart. When tea
was served, Teresa made some remark
which showed familiar knowledge of
American society, and Raymer asked:
''How does it happen that you know
so much of our customs and are SO diff
ferent from Mexican young ladies in gen.
eral?''
''Is that SO surprising? Your question
shows your society experience must
have had its limitations, and that your
notions of Mexican young ladies were
not gathered from association with the
gente fnas.'
Il cannot claim intimate acquaint-
ance with either extreme of Mexican
life
''Do you know any Mejicanas:''
"My acquaintance is limited to pres
ent company"
''Then l am unwilling to consider
you judge of our people. Mexican la
dies are often highly accomplished.
You condemn or criticise without
knowledge Of them. What are these su-
perior American manners: Are they in
digenous?"
Imported, perhaps, and improved
upon.
Il recall that some severe criticisms
have been passed upon them by eminent
English authors and travellers, and that
Americans abroad are still made sub
jects of criticism by Europeans. Good
manners have no nationality, Mr.. Ray
mer.
THAT is true l did not refer so much
to manners as to your knowledge Of our
customs and the usages of our society,""
Residence in New York did some
thing for that. suppose you think be-
cause l speak your language we'll and
am somewhat familiar with its litera-
ture that l am superior to my associ-
ates.
81 thought you their superior in many
things. AS for English, doubt if any
classmate of yours could speak it SO
well. -
''No, but many could read it as
WE'LL
"Was there one who could have writ
ten an essay-as you did-on the Lit
erature of the Elizabethan Era?' "
"You mean and have done as we'll as
I?'' said Teresa laughingly.
Eyes -
perhaps not"
'"Then are you not little more
American than Mexican to that extent?'
'That depends upon what you mean
by American. II you mean that have
had better educational and social ad-
vantages than my companions, ! reply