The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-09-11

Of good shoulders and strong limbs
was Carlos Moratin, representing the
firm of Stanley Brothers, San Francis
co. He had never been to Mexico be-
fore, though his ancestors had lived
there He took the train from the cap
ital, and arrived at Vera Cruz at night
come to make plans of a sewerage
system for the dirtiest Of cities.
The air was hot and the buZzards
hoped languidly through the streets
when he entered the door of his distant
cousin, Don Pablo. The house looked
magnificent; the court was laden with
plants that smelled like spices. Don
Pablo was MISUNDERSTANDING say he
once loved Mrs. Diaz before the strong
one took her. Carlos showed his letters,
which filed Don Pablo with joy, and
the young man went straight into the
hidden heart of a high-class Mexican
family; then supper was announced.
The board was white under a chan
delier, and (Don .Pablo's tastes being
oueer) small copy Of Juarezs marble
tomb was on a table in the corner. Inc
apartment had no other furniture. In
through the window blew the damp,
down-pressing air Of the Gulf, and Car
los could see the lights of vessels
floating yonder.
him. Why, she was like that woman
who holds Juarez's head on her knee
under the roof of the tomb! But her
laugh was an incarnation; what a
beautiful and breakabl thing she was,
coming in on him like new moon
that might be playful in the sky. She
sat by her taciturn mother, near whom
was Don Pedro, another cousin.
what is San Francisco like, any
- o ~ xxyff n
Yankees? ?" cried Don Pablo.
5 ST am one,'' laughed Carlos. And he
told them about the plan to capture the
sewerage contract.
q Sewerage? Ho!" everybody cried out
in alarm, and looked at Pedro, tall,
thin, dark fellow. Isabeps hands We're
clasped as she stared at him. He
turned on the astonished Carlos keen,
perhaps an evil look.
81 drink to that" said he; II, too
am here for that purpose"
"Ah," replied Carlos, little put out;
"and for what company"
.sMatamoros Hermanos, of Mexico
who have proved their ability to clean
even Vera CruZ!"
"Then here's to you'll" said the Cal
ifornian, trying to be jolly. And on one I, !,
point at least we agree-it needs IL!
All laughed, Pedro rather dryly.
"WiH it do away with the buz-
zards?" asked Isabel, in musical regret
s"What? You like them!" demanded
Carlos.
She blushed just for being talked to-
otis little morbid, know" she said,
"but in the middle of the night like
to look down to see If they still are
hopping in the street
Don Pablo roared at this. "Vera Cruz
without buZzards!" he cried. "Imposs1-
ble''
An hour after supper, Carlos, having
forgotten his cigarette case, went back
to the dining room. The clotn was
gone; there remained but the table,
the miniature white tomb, the chande-
lier. and under it Isabel sitting with her
chin on her hand. II startled you," he
said.
Her cheek had the look that some
pale rose leaves have early in the
morning. "Tell me Of California y
cried she.
at is the poetry of Mexico and the
progress of the north wrapped in one
it is everything!" he said, on fire about
1t.
.I want to CO." she replied. But >
here her lips dropped, which made his
heart beat strangely, of you win the
money away from Pedro, we can IT,
He became still, standing by the
tomb and looking at the beautiful face
of the statue in it. you are married
to Pedro?"
Her movement was little impatient
and sad, though she laughed her gentle
incarnation. 1--WE are betrothed," she
replied.
"You have love, them" he answered.
dreaming not happily, which is good
But" she said. with extreme sim
no
He turned an impulsive look on her,
and caught her escaping eye. The
sweet Inevitable was then occurring;
and, the while a thrill of it changed
him, the chandelier made sparks from
one tear on her lashes. Just for an idle
nothing was she nigh to breaking
down; so she went away fast.
For two weeks the rivals prepared
their plans for the sewerage, working
apart, coming together at meals; and
Pedro made the rivalry evil. Diaz, who
takes personal hold of these things, set
certain days in June when all the COM
panies were to present to him their
plans. When these days approached,
Pedro came to Isabel in the large sala
and said: THANK God, it is time for
him to go. have seen you together
in the patio--in here-everywhere,
curse I'll"
Her neaQ was on a SOFA Ddck.
Don't be jealous-please don't Pedro
it wasn't anything"
Wasn't anything! Oh, no." he laugh
ed" it's never anything!"
She sank to the sofa, weak. ooh, Pc
dro!" She clasped her hands Really
didn't do anything. Oh,truly, I never
have done anythingi"
Don't you love him ?-not a bit?"
"Just you, Pedro" she wept, tremb-
ling.
viii you prove it?"
She promised, pale with eagerness.
Keep him here, then, till Friday morn
ing! have a letter from Diaz's score
tary; the estimates must be in by Fri
day; the president needs rest, and will &C
south on Saturday. The time Is shorten
ed" He kissed her and grew gentler
Sweetheart, do something to keep him