Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-03-07

''Yes, to meet the men now and then, but I never see the ladies.
 "And don't you know any of the girls?"
 ''Oh. yes, plenty of girls-such girls as attend tho bailes and fandangoes, but of the gente finas we know none"
 "Neyer meet them in your calls?"
 ''Never. have been invited to din- ners, lunches and card parties at several of the best houses and have been enter tained right royalty, too-by the men, and I've met some married fadies-they were very hospitable-and a few un- married ones long past the interesting age The lady of the house and few of her married friends sometimes appear in the salas, but the daughters are invisi- ble."
 But officers have sometimes married Mexican girls?''
 "Now and then, but have been giv- ing you my own experience.
 "How have such marriages been brought about?''
 Accidental meetings, love at first sight, elopements. Mexican marriages, you know, are arranged by the parents of the young people"
 And arc consequently unhappy, I supposed" said Raymer, smiling curi- ously.
 That is our American idea"
 "Is it false?'
 "I think so. Our divorce courts show the results of indiscriminate so called love matches. Did it ever strike yon that little more parental supervision might be desirable and beneficial?''
 Doesn't that reflection belong to the parental age? No; have never given it a thought. have always believed in love before marriage"
 "Yet the cold fact stands, Raymer, |" continued Reed, "that marriages among the French, Italians and Spaniards are quite as happy as ours. Right here in Santa Fe I've no doubt that among the married there is as much domestic hap piness, love, devotion and that sort of thing as ill any American town of its size in the eastern states.
 ''Oh, yes, I am up on all the current literature of the subject and have been chaperoned ill New York, Philadelphia and Lake George! I am not ignorant of Latin race methods, but believe in our lovemaking. Don't you, Reed?"
 Don't 1! Am an American? What would life be without it? think the Mexican youth have missed the gist of life in not making their union in the good old Anglo-Saxon way. It is like sitting down to fine dinner with ones nose stopped and eyes covered. The of feet of odors, floral decorations and es- thetic arrangement of glass and china is lost. "
 "An original comparison indeedl But I supposed that contact with our coun- trymen had broken up those customs in the territories acquired of Mexico"
 "NO." replied Reed reflectively; "the custom has not been abandoned. Indeed the tendency is in the opposite direction, and American fathers and mothers seem to be adopting some foreign restrictions in these matters-mOre English than French or Spanish perhaps. think you mentioned tho chaperon?"
 "Yes; she is becoming recognized as the correct thing now; not so strict and merciless as the Spanish duena, how ever"
 II hope not. "
 Do you know any young ladies at the palace?" asked Raymer, broaching the subject upon which his thoughts had been dwelling of late.
 There are several usually" replied Reed. "The governor has a daughter and she has many friends and some cousins who V1sit her" :"
 ''I have seen but one, a young lady with fair hair and dark eyes, observed Raymer.
 "There are three who answer to that description. When did you see herr"
 At guard mounting yesterday and today young lady stood at the window overlooking the sundiaL She appeared to be about IS or 1o, fair haired, black eyed, of delicate complexion. graceful tgure"--
 "You might as we'll give me the DO Bition of soldier. interrupted Reed. ''Tell me what she wore"
 II think, said Raymer thoughtful ly, 'she wore a creamy dress, a light blue sash, q rebozo of broad yellow and black stripes, with fringe of same col ors'--
 ''Oross and rosary of jet and gold?' again interrupted Reed. Maltese eros of Mexican filigree in sash?'
 "Yes."
 "It was Dona Teresa Valencia. Sh, is from Albuquerque and is one of th' cousins She will graduate at the con vent school this summer.
 Do you know her?'
 II know her by sight, having seel her at the palace windows as you have and I have also seen her riding witt Colonel Stockton and his wife. Mrs Stockton calls at the governors ant knows all the young ladies, but sh must be under some promise to the con vent sisters to keep us youngsters. aloof for we have never been able to manag an introduction.
 "Does she never speak of Miss Valen oia?'
 "Yes, frequently. Says Dona Teres is brilliant and accomplished, speak Spanish and English equally we'll, we'll read in ancient and modern htera turs. reads French. plays, sings an draws and is gentle and sweet-an angel with wings just sprouting. I suppose Mrs Stockton makes herself miserabl over the thought that so much concer trated sweetness and excellence are { be wasted upon 8 monte playing, bu tailing Mexican, for it is reported ths matrimonial bargain has already bee made between the girls parents an those of Q cheap fellow in Las Luna named Ortega-a cowardly scamp of T account whatever. Has money, that all Mrs. Stockton further says that she was young American gentlema she would make it the object of her lii to win this treasure.
 "Why have none of you tried it? asked Raymer.
 Because there are American gir Al Il