Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-03-07

If he cared to attend as her escort she would sec that he. obtained admission. Few things could have pleased the lieu tenant better, and it was arranged that he should accompany Mrs. Stockton to the school on Wednesday.
 Accordingly at 10 o'clock of the day appointed the lady and her attendant were received by sister usher and con- ducted to the interior of the convent Passing through an archway, they found themselves in a broad, open court sur rounded by 0 piazza, the whole space being filled with seats. -
 Opposite the entrance stage was pre- pared for tho graduating class. At one side of the stage Raymer noted a brass band composed of the brothers and pu- pills from 8 neighboring monastery They were quaintly clad in gown and cassock.
 Mrs. Stockton and her companion se- lected central seat, over which she raised large parasol to shelter them from the rays of the sun. Raymer real ized that he and his friend were for eigners in the assemblage, and he found it necessary to give the utmost attention tO bIlo I4uSlIt SS.st N4EkieT GO uu- 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 a 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 mu'!esty.
 Raymer felt gratcfu' to Mrs. Stock ton for giving him this enjoyable hour. He half suspected she read his thoughts, for there was a 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 if 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 bands somewhat discordant rendition of Sweet Home" the bishops chair was moved to the center of the stage by two young priests and a table placed beside it. Upon this lay rosaries, crucifixes, missals and other churchly articles prizes to be awarded those excelling 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 xr-I clon ceived it again with a blessing and con- gratulations. The last prize given was the highest and was awarded Teresa Inez Valencia for best average scholar ship. Upon receiving it she came down into the court and made her way through the crowded passages to q handsome gentleman sitting at Raymer's 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 your' "Thank you, papa You have been my best teacher, and owe my success to you," replied Teresa in tho same language, again receiving the gift and
 
 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. Thero was but Q Till l of water in the bed, the bulk having been drawn into tho 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 in the doors of which stood dark com- | plexioned women, clad 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 a race alien to their masters and as instinctively understanding that the safest course for a dog was to attempt nothing worse than q bark.
 | several miles beyond the outskirts of the city, where tho lieutenant remained the guest of the owner until evening" when ho started homeward
 The return route passed in front oi the convent and entered the plaza at tht northeastern corner. When Raymer ap preached the river, he saw on the oppo site side long mule train entering thC city with freight brought across thC plains from the far distant Missouri
 Whips were popping and drivers shout ing in collaboration begot of prospective rest from a long and wearisome journey and the thought of dissipation in { round of fandangoes and monte.
 Raymer's rapid stride soon brought
 him alongside the straining mules anC creaking wagons, and he was nearly op pusite the convent entrance when he ob served two women and a man coming down the street. One woman was un
 mistakably an ancient duena, and tn
 other appeared to be young lady, hel
 face and figure closely concealed in re
 bozo and capa. The man was young ant
 richly clad in 0 Mexican costume O
 black, bespangled with small buttons
 plates, buckles and lace of silver. Whel
 the party reached the middle of tn
 train, brawny, rough bearded wagol
 master, dressed in a grimy suit of firing
 buckskin, sprang from his horse, ant | fbroxx,ino, hiC rainc fo a drix,ar sl,o,,ka,l