Fort Wrangel news., 1898-08-24
MANUELA'S TRANSPORTATION.
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May l walk home with you. sconr- itaf' he said T have the pleasure of knowing your father"
 "Y,s. slr." said Manuca. II was bur few hundred yarls 10 her home. but he made the most ot hls time Muunela answered him In mono syllables and raised her eyes hut twice. Ilurlhurt's infltuatloa was complete. Senor Lopez was angry. He WAS very civil 10 the officer. but he sent the g.rl 10 her room at onep.
 "i net the scuor!ta at mass" Iurl- burt explained.
 Are you. then. Cathollcf' inquired the Mexican.
 No said Ilurlburt and determined to pursue the policy that sages who know nothing of mankind tell Us Is In- vartahly the m'st-"t went 10 the church on purpose to m,-,t your daugh- ter. l saw her on the street the other day"-he refrained in moment of d. plomacy from speaking of the dropped beads-"and l admired her very much. Ibat Is why l came to cal upon You. l thought l would see her openly under her own roof. As did not. encoan- tered her elsewhere. Now" sald IIurl- burt, leaning back in m easy pose that did not meet with the punct!lious Mexl- cans approval. "I should like to ask you to be allowed to pay my court 10 your daughter"
 Senor Lopez made no objection To the officers suit but he did oLipct to his fashion of advancing 1t. He in- cased himself In perversity.
 My daughter, sir Is loo young."
 He rose to his feet by way of sug- gcstlng that Hurlburt would do well tO take his leave Hurlburt rose, too. but not to 20.
 May l ask her age. senor?"
 "She Is sixteen years old"
 You have told me that you married the sonora when she was but lifteen."
 That was In the old times. We do not do so any more."
 But 1 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 Tot wish To give her to an American"-which was not In the least true. Up to then it had been his plan 10 do so. but his ohstinacy was reused.
 The result was one that any one. most of all q Mexican, should have fore seen. IIurlburt embarked upon an in- n fA NTon1.1u .1 got them from her in return. The notes led to meetings by night. The meet ings led to infatuation. Warm South ern nights and q soft-eyed. sOft-voced 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 for several months. Then Hurlburt 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 ceiyed an unreasonable and great dis like for him, and refused.
 Whereupon Hurlburt arranged anoth- CT meeting with Manuela. He began to realize that they were both running ter 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-"
 "I do not understand" The gentle eyes looked into his, perplexed.
 will you marry me?"
 q would. but how can IT' she said. My father will not consent to It.
 Do you love me enough to run away from your father, to disobey him. and go over to Mexico. across the border. with me? We can be married there, and then come back"
 IIurlburt 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.
 A week later they went across the line and were married. They returned immediately, and had an interview with Senor Lopez. The Mexican was enraged. Hurlburt, having obtained