Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1898-06-01

MANUELA'S TRANSFORMATION.


introduced himself. 1t chanced that
she was alone.
May l walk home with you, senor-
ltaT' he said. 81 have the pleasure OF
knowing your father"
Yes, SIR" said Manuela.
1t was but n 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 infatuation 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.
Are you, then, Cathollc?' inquired
the Mexican
NO" said Hurlburt-and determined
to pursue the policy that sages who
know nothing of mankind tell us Is In
yarlably the best-"I went to the
church on purpose to meet your daugh-
ter. saw her on the street the other
day'-he refrained in moment of di-
plomacy from speaking of the dropped
beads-"and l admired her very much.
That Is why l came to call upon you.
thought | would see her openly under
her own roof. AS | did not, | encoun-
tered her elsewhere. Now" said Hurl-
burt, leaning back In an easy pose that
did not meet with the punctilious Mexl-
cans approval, Il should like to ask
you to be allowed to pay my court to
your daughter"
Senor 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-
gesting that Hurlburt would do well
to take his leave. Hurlburt rose, too.
but not to go.
May | ask her age, senor?"
"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 l will be willing to walt for a
year, If Senorlta 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 to 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 obstlnacy
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 soft-eyed, soft-yoiced
girl can work mischief within the mind
of man. And tall, blonde officer
saving 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 senor had con.
eelyed an unreasonable and great dis.
like for him, and refused.
Whereupon Hurlburt arranged anoth
er 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 II they
should be discovered. But he did moi
suggest that to Manuela. Instead, he
asked: "Do you love me, chiquitaY
"Yes, yes. Must l tell you SO al
waysY
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 meT'
81 would, but how can ?' she said
"My father will not consent to it,
do you love me enough to run away
from your father, to disobey him, ant
90 over to Mexico, across the border
with me? We can be married there
and then come back"
Hurlburt was an impasslye, unemo
tional man, but his nerves were upoI
fearful tension as he waited for tht
answer of an irresponsible child. Sh'
appeared to consider, and ended b!
agreeing. Hurlburt was beside him
self with happiness.
A week later they went across thu
line and were married. They returne,
Immediately, and had an interview
with Senor Lopez. The Mexican wa
enraged. Hurlburt, having obtaine'
what he wanted, was not inclined to b
conciliatory, but Manuela and he
mother patched up peace. Manuel
behaved beautifully, and Hurlburt wa
more enamored than ever. He took he
back to his home, and for three day
dreamed of lifetime of bliss. The
| Manuela decided that she had ha