The Opelousas courier., 1897-09-11

l..@ civil engineer, in
~TEET1 the employ of a
~ company hat was
at that time making q survey for a
railroad through New Mexico. He
was SO noticeable in figure and bear
ing that a stranger would be sure to
look after him if he passed him on the
street. But there must have been an
other man in the world that looked
very much like him, if he were not an
actual double, aud the adventure
arising from this resemblance was a
remarkable blending Of the tragic and
comic.
Santa Fe had in it then, and no
doubt has still, very many beautiful I'll
brunettes Of Spanish and aboriginal
descent.
Senorita Maria Diaz-ayear previous
to the date I have given-was engaged,
according to the Mexican custom that
does not consider the wishes of the
lady in the matter, to Bernal Valdez,
who, like her father, was a rich,
middle-aged man.
Senior Valdez would undoubtedly
have married the lady had not a young
army surgeon appeared on the scene.
Doctor Brandon met the beautiful
Maria Diaz, and it was a case Of love
at first sight.
The young American would have let
the cause of his wooing follow the
regular and eminently proper chan
nels, if there had been time for it,
but, unfortunately, he only met his
enslayer a week before the day ap-
pointed for her marriage with Valdez.
To secure the lady there was not a
moment to lose, and the only means
he could think of was to enact the role
of young Lochinvar. Hefound friends
to help him and the lady willing.
They eloped to Fort Union, where
they were married, and as it was
positively dangerous-indeedit would
have been death-for the doctor to
return, with or without his bride, he
very prudently kept on to New York
: City, where his parents, well-to-do
people, resided, and where he subse-
quently remained.
The advent of q troop of soldiers or
of any considerable body of strangers
into o New Mexican town is always
celebrated by 'tfandango," or "baile;"
the former word, though originally
the name of a special dance, is now
applied in that region to an evening of
general dancing.
The coming of the engineer corps
vas celebrated after the usual fashion.
The men were encamped near old Fort
Marcy, and the officers of the expedi-
ton took up their quarters at the
Fonda, as the hotel facing on the
piazza was called, though it may not
be amiss to add that ''fonda" is the
Spanish name for tshotel."
Paul Mansfield was writing up his
field notes in his room at the hotel the
night of his arrival, when Captain La
mar, who commanded the engineer
cavalry escort, entered, and, without q
word, removed the papers and put
away the ink.
"Hello, Lamar! Making yourself
at home. eh?s Come, bring back my
profile blanks; I must finish a report
tonight" said Paul Mansfield.
Finish it when we get back!" re-
Piled Captain Lamar, as he took up a
hat and coat, and, putting the former
on Pauls head, evinced a desire to
help him on with the latter.
"Why. what's up?" asked Paul.
"a fandango."
THAT is not unusual here, I under
stand"
But you neve saw one, and this is
to be o swell affair. Come, old fellow,
don't neglect the chance of seeing a
pretty woman. Think Of the dreary
mountains and sterile plains, with not
. woman within hundreds of miles.
that lie before you. And then every
scientific man should know something
OF humaEnature. I will show You a
new phase of it tonight"
But I don't Dance" pleaded Paul
Mansfield.
very well, TIL dance for both and
you can look on" replied the Captain.
After much urging Paul Mansfield
said he would go to the fandango sfor
just one hour"
The dancing took place ID a low,
adobe building on the outskirts of the
town. The long room was illuminated
by suspended oil lamps, and at the
entrance was a ''refreshment" counter,
at the farther end a platform for the
two men with fddles and the n man
with q guitar, while on benches around
the walls sat the senoritas-many Of
them chaperoned by their mothers,
and 9 thoroughly democratic gather
ing OF cavaliers, American and Mexi-
can.
Paul Mansfield stood near the door
watching the graceful dancers, among
whom was his friend, the Captain; but,
though much interested, he could not
help noticing that the Mexican men
stared at him by twos and threes, and
that they whispered excitedly, and
that their black eyes burned with
anger. As he could NOT think that he.
9 perfect stranger, could be the cause
Of their excitement, he gave it no
further thought.
When the hour he had set himself