The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-11


all that can be asked for-just such a
place as an invalid would choose to re-
main at"
Il do not know that would choose
20 remain there. I do not like the no.
tells. or the cooking, though the service
is not bad. It will do FOR a we'll man
to live there. but sick man
The very place for a sick man."
replied. And Il will be a change A
change Of climate is generals beneficial
to one who Is In poor hath And
what more could you ask than these
sunny skies, these mild, pleasant days,
and this dry atmosphere ?"
Yes" he answered. with a sigh. ct
Is all you say 1t is. but 1t is Mex
leo. Were it in our own c0i-ntry how
different II would be. See" and he
pointed TO a valley stretching out be-
fore us, which. with its verdure. was as
pretty a piece Of country as the eye
could wish to see. that Is what nature
has done; yet what have the people
done but quarrel and fight ever since
the conquest. Some day there will be
a new Mexico, but not in my time
Knowing the circumstances which had
brought Mr. Melrose TO Mexico, and the
treatment he had received while there.
I could understand how trouble had
erabittered him, and Prejudiced his
mind against the people and the COM
munity. He was not a man Of war, nor
one disposed TO quarrel.
He loved his own fireside and domes-
tic peace and happiness He was IN
used to the hardships to which he had
been exposed. The mental strain as
well as physical hardships had been very
great.
I'VE VIII let them fight II they want
may be well for them II they do spill
little bad blood"
Verify. I believe we vyil1 have to let
them fight" he replied. ''and think our
selves fortunate If we are to- have no
more OF a hand IL it than we have
had already. All. but war is the busi-
ness of barbarians.'
1T Is brutal" said. May our coun-
try escape it."
He looked far of to the distant noun
tain peaks. and then, turning to RE.
: replied, I'VE are not yet done With
war"
He said this IN a way which impress
ed me as being more Of a prophecy than
an expression OF opinion. How soon the
) war did actually come. W. all know.
He said no more. and was IN little
mood to continue the conversation Not
even the country interested ne. though
1 had never been over It before. was
restless and impatient and anxious TO
be at La Puebla
} Ny mind was racked with doubts and
uncertainties. The journed was unreal
= sonabIy long for so short a distance,
: and / could hardly restrain myself from
: pushing on ahead OF my companions.
4 Presently. however, we were joined by
some Of the troopers; and with their
stories and jests we would have found
them jolly enough companions had we
been in better spirits.
Don Cortinia rode By NJ side as we
reached the level plain. with its well cul-
tivated gardens and orchards. through
which the road runs for some distance
before coming to the city. He Was in
far more Of a happy mood than was.
and thanked me again and again for the
service had rendered him
MY house will be at your disposal
] when we reach La PuebIa. You must
do me the honor Of being my guest
he insisted.
I explained to him that my stay in
= the city probably would be brief, but
thanked him for his kindness.
[ You thought me severe on those fel-
lows we hung he replied. I viii show
you that 1 can be hospitable. I re-
member my friends, and any one who
has done me favor
Indeed he did. and he had spoken the
truth. as I was afterward TO discover.
We were destined TO become better ac-
} quainted. and the rather selfish service
had rendered him TO be more than
I repaid But I knew that he did not
know the mission was on. or the part
had been playing in the role Of knight
Grant His kindness. his friendship,
: his generous offer Of hospitality, I was
afraid 10 accept, lest I seem TO betray
! his confidence.
Yet he might have sanctioned every
thing 1 had done. 1t was with \ feeling
of regret, too. that 7 remembered he
was not in sympathy with the party
! favored. and that his friends might be
my enemies. It was this. more than
anything else, which caused me 10 be
somewhat reserved, and hesitate about
seeming to put myself in the way OF
receiving any favors from him.
Il was late in the afternoon when we
reached La Puebla. We did not set u
very early start, and we had been de-
layed on the way. The streets of the
city were quiet. and the people were
about their usual occupations. and here
was no OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 10 indicate
that IT was a time Of war, and that the
country was passing through a revolu-
ton which marked the passing away Of
the old regime and the ushering in of an
era OF progress and national prosperity.
Il was a beautiful evening, as 1 now
| remember it. neither too hot nor TOO
cold to be comfortable. The cathedral
bells sounded as we passed through the
gate; and I noticed that the sun snone
on the tall spires Of the churches 1t
was the end of our journey, and looked
at Mr. MeIrose, expecting some express
sion OF satisfaction from him; but his
thoughts were elsewhere. He was silent
and did not take any notice Of what was
going on about us he rode by my side.
gloomy and not speaking
But this was not to be wondered at,
when my attention was more particu-
larly directed toward him, for I could
see that he could scarcely keep his seat
in the saddle from weakness. Once L
caught hold of him. fearing that he was
going 10 fail, and as I did so I noticed
that his face was hot and flushed
was alarmed. and fearing a return q