Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1898-06-11
MANUELA'S TRANSPORTATION.


49, ~ ~ - - ~ 49, 49, - - -
introduced himself. 1t CHANGED that
she was alone.
May l walk home with you. senior
lta?' he said. Il have the pleasure OF
knowing your father"
Yes, sir" said Manuela.
1t was but few hundred yards to
her home, but he made the most of his
time. Manuela answered him in mono
syllables and raised her eyes but twice.
Hurlburt'S inflammation was complete
Senior Lopez was angry He was very
civil to the officer, but he sent the girl
to her room at once.
Il met the Senorita at mass" Hurl-
burt explained
care you, then. a CatholIc?" inquired
the Mexican.
NO" said Hurlburt-and determined
to pursue the policy that sages who
know nothing of mankind tell us Is in
variably the best went to the
church on purpose to meet your daugh-
ter. | saw her on the street the other
day"--he refrained in Il moment Of di-
plOAldNS AI'AIl SI'NCINIli- VI Inc hlOl'IjNl
beads-"and admired her very much.
That is why | came 10 call upon you.
| thought | would see her openly under
her own roof. AS l did not, | encoun-
tered her elsewhere. Now" said Hurl-
burt, leaning back in an easy pose that
did not meet with the punctllious MeXl-
cans approval, Il should like to ask
you to be allowed to pay my court to
your daughter"
Senior Lopez made no objection TO
the officers suit, but he did object
to his fashion Of advancing it. He In
cased himself in perversity.
My daughter, sir, Is too young"
He rose to his feet by way of sug
costing that Hurlburt would do well
to take his leave. Hurlburt rose, too,
but not to go.
May | ask her age, senior"
"She Is sixteen years old"
you have told ME that you married
the sonora when she was but fifteen"
That was in the old times. We do
not do so any more"
But | will be willing to walt for a
year, If Senorta Manuela will love
me-"
"Sir, we Will talk no more concern
ing this. My daughter is too young to
be married, and | do not wish 10 give
her to an American"-which was not
In the least true. Up to then 1t had
been his plan to do so, but his obstinacy
was roused.
The result was one that any one
most Of all Mexican, should have fore
seen. Hurlburt embarked upon an in
trlgue. 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 sOft-eyed. soft-voiced
girl can work mischief within the mind
Of a man: And tall, blonde officer
saying the first words of love she has
ever heard can turn the head of any
woman.
The clandeStine interviews continued
for several months. Then Hurlburt
made one last attempt at frankness. He
went TO Senior Lopez again. and renew
ed his request to be permitted to pay
his daughter court. The senior had con
celved an unreasonable and great dis
like for him, and refused.
Whereupon Hurlburt arranged anoth-
err meeting with Manuela. He began to
realize that they were both running ter
rible risks. Senior 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 SOu love me- chiquitaF'
Yes, yes. Must | tell you so al
ways?'
do you love me enough to leave
your home for me-
Il do not understand" The gentle
eyes looked into his perplexed.
will you marry me!'
81 would, but how can l p she said.
"Mv father will not consent to it,"
do you love me enough to run away
from your father, to disobey him, and
90 over to Mexico, across the border,
with me? We can he married there,
and then come back.
Hurlburt was an impressive. unemo-
tional 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
Immediately, and had an Interview
with Senior Lopez. The Mexican was
enraged. Hurlburt, having obtained
what he wanted, was not inclined to be