The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1901-09-24

Lolita was perched on a high chair
playing a very lively waltz on guitar
several sizes too big for her small hands.
It was q warm day in Izamal (Yuca-
tam, an old city that was famous for its
temples and miraculous images long be-
fore the birth Of Columbus. The guitar
list was still delighting a group of admir-
ing friends when the solemn tones of
church bell brought her suddenly to her
feet. Thrusting the instrument into the
first hand extended she exclaimed: come
along. Let us all go to mass
No sooner was the last mass over than
every one-the upper classes in gay attire
and the Indians in the immaculate white
raiment always worn by them-thronged
to the bull ring, temporary structure
occupying the central part of the great
plaza. Many of the matrons who went
thither were accompanied by several chill
dren and as many dark skinned, bare
footed maids to take care of them. BY
midday every seat was filled and thou
sands of cigarettes were sending up their
thin wreaths of smoke.
1t was at this time that Pablo first
caught sight of her pink dress, black hair
and white feathers and decided without
hesitation that she was the most adorable
of her sex. Nor did he change his opin-
ion when she passed close to him on her
way out, where he had carefully chosen
his post of observation. But Of course
she did not see or know of him, and it
happened that he lived in Merida, west Of
Izamal, while she resided at Valladolid,
to the east Then, too, Pablo learned
upon inquiry that the girl he had admired
was the daughter of a rich planter, while
he himself was nothing but poor me-
chanic, so with a sigh he endeavored to
dismiss her image from his mind. That
afternoon several guests were enjoying
tropical fruits in the large parlor of their
hospitable host when Lolita danced into
the room, her hands extended to display
some $16 goldpieces, glittering in her
small palms.
Gust look" she exclaimed with childish
delight, papa has given these to me to
play with"
"Do you gamble, senorita?" some one
ventured to ask, having been assured that
her father was an incorrigible gamester.
mot l." she laughed. 81 shall keep
these, although he told me to try my luck.
Papa squanders more than enough every
fair time. One gambler is all our family
can afford"
This remark was characteristic of Lo-
lita, who was a somewhat practical little
body, for.it was notorious that every year
Don Carlos lost In a few nights the prof
it's of his finest hacienda. where hemp and
sugar cane grew abundantly. Each time
this happened and friends expressed their
regrets the loser merely shrugged his
shoulders, raised his eyebrows and pPtu-
lantly exclaimed, "Well. well. San Jose
will give me as much again" San Jose
was his estate where hundreds of Indians
toiled to amass the gold he scattered
The fair was not yet over when Lolita,
quite unconscious that she was enshrined
in Pablo's heart, started for home with
her father. Their travelling conveyance
was wagon called Bolankoche, without
other seat than a thin mattress spread
over a network of ropes.
81 always sit by the driver" Lolita an
nounced as she took that place. And
very picturesque the two appeared behind
the three sturdy mules. The senorita
wore a skirt and loose jacket of cambria,
with blue silk rebozo, or Mexican scarf,
over her head to keep the dust from her
glossy hair, which hung In two thick
braids, reaching below her waist. The
Indian driver was barefooted and scantily
clad in white muslin. Having hidden
goodby to his friends, Don Carlos stretch
ed himself at full length on the mattress,
explaining as he did so, 81 always sleep
while on the road"
On the following day Lolita was as
usual ruling the entire household, not
withstanding the presence Of her mother,
a gracious blond. Three young brothers.,
one sister and a number of Indian do
mestics all few to obey the mandates of
the imperious little lady. whose whims
and fancies had never been questioned by
any one, least of all by her father. 1t is
doubtful If he realized and certainly he
never admitted. how much she Influenced
him in his decision to send the family to
Merida, that the children might have
better educational advantages, for in that
capital Of 10000 inhabitants there are
excellent schools. Don Carlos passed the
greater part of his time at the planta-
tons, but he owned several houses at
Merida, and In the largest of these he
established his family.
81 prefer being here" Lolita wrote to
her friends in the city of Valladolid. "We
have two carriages of our own to drive
dDOut luc NllJg navy a LIZ" PAohO
and the very best teacher; we can have
box at the theater, and when carnival
comes round won't it be delightfulW
Furthermore, an excellent band Of mu-
sic played every Thursday and Sunday
evening In the great square, and many
fiestas were celebrated during the year,
the plaza being festooned with Chinese
lanterns OF all colors and gayety prevail
ing everywhere Then the matrons and
maidens sailed forth to stroll in the
.easure garden of the square, listen to
the compositions of master musicians
finely interpreted, breathe the perfume
Of the ever present tuberoses and receive
furtive admiration. This was how the
susceptible Pablo again discovered the
one he had been unable to forget.
For awhile Lolita was vsgx eRthgsi,