The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-04-23

that to Nanuela. Instead he asked: DO
! you love me. chiquita?'
Yes yes. Musl l tell you 50 al
ways
do you love me enough to leave your
| home fC- me-"
II do not understand The gentle
| eyes looked into his perplexed.
! viii you marry me-?
Il would. but how can L? she SAID
| MY father will not consent to it"
DO You love me enough 10 run away
/ from your father: to disObey him. ana
| go over 10 Mexico. across the border
with me- We can be married there
| and then come back.
HurIburt was an impressive. unamO-
| tionaI man. but his nerves were upon
a 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.
A week later they went across the line
and were married. They returned imme-
diately. and had an interview with Senior
Lopez The Mexican was enraged. Hurl-
burt having obtained what he wanted
was not inclined 10 be conciliatOry. but
Manuela and her mother patched up a
peace Manuela behaved beautifully. and
Huriburt was more enamOred than ever.
He took her 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 honey-cOmb
and that she had tired of scented time
With no explanations and no reason save
that she wanted TO go. she went. Her
father charmed with HuTlburt's dis
comiture refused to make her return
to him. and guarded her closely. HuTl-
burt begged for one final Interview. and
it was granted. He was sorry sight.
pale, and haggard. and self-abasing. But
Manuela was unmOved. She stood meek
ly before him. her folded hands holding
rose her father and mother on either
side of her. She was not in the least
unhappy and no grief had married her
prettiness.
''Manuela." said Hurlburt. ''have you
not changed your mind? Will you not
come home with me?''
She shook her head. mo" she said.
why not? Was l not kind to you?
Did not love your
Yes you were very kind. But / like
better to be with my father"
1t was useless to threaten. fmplOre or
reason. Manuela was gently stubborn.
She would never go back TO him; she did
not like Americans.
When Hurlburt finally went away, he
decided that his heart was broken. He
thought of suicide He could never bear
so great as his wTetchedness. This frame
of mind lasted for a year: then he be-
came resentful: then he obtained a d.
vorce: then he was ordered East. and it
was ten years before he returned to the
coast. He had with him his wife-a wO-
man of his own people. very charming.
very well 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 knOwl-
edge was the one grief of her life. IL
threw a shadow of sadness over her eyes.
But she kept IL 20 herself. and for this
unfeminine virture of gods, in due time,
rewarded her.
They went. one day. by ambulance
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 lOung-
ed about the door; a fat. be-shawled wo-
man waddled across the yard; yet more
untidy one welcomed them.
Her greasy face was still rather pretty
and young. but she was thick, and
heavy. and stupid. When she looked full
at Hurlburt she gave little cry that
was more Of a grunt.
Come in; / will tell my husband" she
said. and shuffled away with her bare feet.
Hurlburt turned to his wife grayely.