Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1901-12-24
.CHECKMATE
A Story OF tho Bull Ring
In Mexico.
BY AMY MINCHER PARISH

tty, from the family OF the doberna.
dor. handsome. well dressed and mod
ern. down TO the swarms OF beggars.
with sightless eyes and deformed
limbs, bearing In their bodies the mark
az Mexico. with her Tark past.
The whole movement was toward the
rTesa. the upper town. where the arts
tocratic element had by natural law
appropriated TO itself the better air.
prodlgal In sunshine and flowers. clean
water and fresh breczes, secure against
the ever present dread OF typhus.
Reservoirs supplying the city with.
water gave the location its name. and
now. on the recurrence OF his birthday.
kt. John. the apostle OF healing wa
tiers. was 20 cleanse the city. The
gates were 20 be opened and the presas
were TO empty their Hood into the now
nearly dry river bed. carrying with IL
I'm a mad rush TO the Lagos the years
accumulation OF disease and debris.
The wealth and ultra fashion were
out in carriages. Laughing faces OF
dark eyed senoritas dividing the atten-
ton with the picturesque vendors OF
holiday dulces or sweets. impossible
gyrating monsters, ear splitting whls-
ties and rattllng DEVILS boxes, wildcap
little urchns who played cart wheel
and leapfrog or did tricks FOR centavos.
But the browning event was 10 be the
annual bullhght. in which, instead OF
professional matadores. young cabal-
lcros. men OF high social rank. were TO
contend for the honors bestowed by
the fair hand OF the queen Of beauty.
Great preparations had been made
for this special function. and long be-
fore the appointed hour the rose gar
landed old amphitheater. where since
the days OF Cortes man and beast had
met In an uninterrupted series OF UNI
equal combats, was filed to overflow
ing.
On one side rose tier upon tier OF
dark eyed senoritas. closely guarded by
ever watchful senoras: on the other
side Young bloods (haciendadosl. with
Che highest OF trousers and broadcast
OF sombreros, heavily loaded with gold
aud silver trappings. here and there
one In tailoring from the latest Pari-
sian models. for everything wrench is
undeniably dear and desirable 20 the
Mexican heart.
While awaiting the arrival OF the
queen OF the fiesta the audience CEN
.cred It's attention upon two men In
their mldst-Phlllp Carter. the energet-
&c. elegant American, whose homage to
the royal Isabella during his few
weeks sojourn In SGuanajuato had al
ready given him/notorIety. and Senior
Enrique CostiIo. a recognized sultor.
even now Laying the bear" for her
favor.
The pre- shce OF the latter, one OF the
best OF eIr senores matadores. In the
audienc& slgnifying that he was to
have a part In the fray. was causing
evideM comment among his friends.
sfrIney could not know how the weary
<walting for. a signal from his love, the
jealous devotion newly stimulated by
a demon OF Jealousy born Of Carriers
evident favor with the girl. the very
ardor OF his passion had consumed his
strength TO such an extent that he
knew better than 10 trust his future TO
a hand that trembled II but In the pres
ence OF her he loved.
But the Senorita lsabella's royal
beauty as she now sat enthroned I'm the
midst Of her maids OF attendance, the
lovely face with It's brilliant eyes peep
ing from the meshes OF exquisite lace.
the hand wrought mantllla without
which no queen OF the bullhght is
regally arrayed. lips ripe and red as
the heart Of pomegranatc were fast
arouslng I'm him the desire TO bring
upon himself not the mere smile and
vIctor's wreath. the applause OF the
audience. but a tribute 20 daring that
should carry with II herself and her
love
What ala she want OF the love OF
rTingo?
Because she had lived IN their coun-
try few months did she know them
with their heart Of ice? Did she think
her lover tropical enough TO warm a
home In the north into any semblance
OF her country
He had felt so unneryed. so wearled
with the pacing 10 and fro In heat and
cold. day and night In front Of her
dwelling walking where she walked.
waiting where she rested and seeing
the smile that belonged 10 him by ey-
esy precedent OF their race given 20 n
big Americana. a gringo from over the
linel
But Jealousy. strong as death In
Mexlco, can also give strength.
Two bulls had already been slain,
and the third had dangling from his
shoulders six gayly decorated bande-
riIIas. or sharpened goads. Furious and
snortlng. he was waiting to attack the
red cloth. this time TO his death, when
a shout. lost in a roar OF fear. sounded
FAR up and down the city.
A man. placing his hands on the bar
rier dividing the audience from the
arena. had as deliberately leaped over
il 10 death as schoolboy TO play.
Scratching the red rag, he approached