The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-06-10

tHe SeHoFd when sue was DuI uIIeen.
''That was in the old times. We dc
not do so any more"
But l will be willing to wait for q
year, if Senorita Manuela will love
me-"
''Sir, we will talk no more concern
ing this. My daughter is too young to
be married, and l do not wish to give
her to an nAmerican"-which was not
in the least true. Up to then it had
been his plan to do SO, but his obstinacy
was reused
The result was one that any one,
most of all Mexican, should have fore
SEEN Hurlburt embarked upon an in
trigue. He sent notes to Manuela, and
got them from her in return. The notes
led to meetings by night. The meet
ings led to infatuation. Warm South
ern nights and a soft-eyed, soft-volced
girl can work mischief within the mind
Of q man. And a tall, blonde officer
saying the first words of love she has
ever heard can turn the head of any
woman.
The clandestine interviews continued
made one last attempt at frankness. He
went to Senor Lopez again, and renew
ed his request to be permitted to pay
his daughter court. The senor had con-
ceived an unreasonable and great dis
like for him, and refused.
Whereupon Hurlburt arranged anoth-
er meeting with Manuela. He began to
fhnu hnf nj tor
rible risks. Senor Lopez was quite
equal to killing one of them If they
should be discovered. But he did not
suggest that to Manuela. Instead, he
asked: "Do you love me, chiquitaT'
"Yes, yes. Must l tell you SO al
ways%
do you love me enough to leave
your home for me-"
u do not understand" The gentle
eyes looked into his, perplexed.
"Will you marry meT
II would, but how can II" she said.
"My father will not consent to it."
do you love me enough to run away
from your father, to disobey him, and
60 over to Mexico, across the border,
Win hCs VIC Idu Uc A1uA1 lCu lIstA cp
and then come back"
Hurlburt was an impassive, unemo-
tional man, but his nerves were upon
fearful tension as he waited for the
answer of an irresponsible child. She
appeared to consider, and ended by
agreeing. Hurlburt was beside him
self with happiness.
lot
line and were married. They returned
Immediately, and had an interview
with Senor Lopez. The Mexican was
enraged. Hurlburt, having obtained
what he wanted, was not inclined to be
conciliatory, but ManueIa and her
mother patched up a peace. Manuela
behaved beautifully, and Hurlburt was
back to his home, and for three days
dreamed Of a lifetime of bliss. Then
Manuela decided that she had had
enough Of living on honeycomb, and
that she had tired of scented time.
With no explanations and no reason
save that she wanted TO 60, she went.
Her father, charmed with Hurlburt's
discontinue, refused TO make her re-
turn to him, and guarded her closely.
Hurlburt begged for one final inter
view, and 1t was granted. He was a
sorry sight, pale and haggard and self
abasing. But Manuela was unmoved.
She stood meekly before him, her fold
ed hands holding a rose, her father and
mother on either side Of her. She was
not in the least unhappy, and no grief
had marred her prettiness.
"Manuela," said Hurlburt, "have you
not changed your mind? Will you not
come home with me?"
She shook her head. "No," she said.
"Why not? Was 1 not kind to you?
Did not love you?"
Eyes, you were very kind. But like
better to be with my father"
1t was useless to threaten, implore,
or reason. Manuela was gently stub
born. She would never go back to him.
she did not like Americans.
When Hurlburt finally went away, he
decided that bis heart was broken. He
thought Of suicide. He could never
bear up under the disgrace, and 1t was
not 80 great as his wretchedness. This
frame Of mind lasted for year; then
a divorce; then he was ordered East,
and It was ten years before he returned
to the coast. He had with him his wife
"a woman of his own people, very
charming, very we'll suited to him in
every way. She knew the story of his
first marriage, and she knew that,
whatever he might say to the contrary,
he still regretted deep down in his heart
the sweet, soft Mexican wife Of his
youth, Of his season Of dear beliefs and
illusions. The knowledge was the one
grief of her life. 1t threw shadow Of
sadness over her eyes. But she kept
1t to herself, and for this unfeminine
virtue the gods, in due time, rewarded
her.
They went one day, by ambulance
from Wilmington, where Hurlburt was
stationed, to Los Angeles One of their
mules got lame, and they had to spend
the night at roadside ranch. A crowd
of dirty Mexican children played
around the adobe; several yet dirtier
men lounged about the door; a fat. be-
shawled woman waddled across. the
yardj yet more untidy one welcomed
them.
Her greasy face was still rather pret-
ty and young, but she was thick, and
heavy, and stupid. When she looked
full at Hurlburt, she gave. little cry
that was more of grunt.
"Come in; will tell my husband"
she said, and shuftied away with her
bare feet.
Hurlburt turned to his wife gravely.
II am sorry to have brought you here"
he said, ''but 1t is all we can do, unless