The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-18

do anything against her win for the
sake Of pleasing an old dotard OF an
uncle of hers who has taken a fancy TO
you"
You blockhead.' I cried. what do
care for Don Luis? But I do care
1 added quickly 4 have matter TOT
settle with him. But come, where is
the senorita stopping? Here we are
wasting time. and talking TO no pur-
pose. Where did she go? Is she safe?
Speak. man: I am inpatient!
And in truth 1 was impatient. 1 had
had enough of his quibhling.
He made no reply. nor would he say
anything more about her He pointed
out to me a house. and told me that it
was there that she was staying, but
would not accompany me.
I was admitted to a large rectangu-
| lar court laid out with beds Of flowers,
between which were walks paved with
stone In the center Of the court was a
basin of water. From a bowl OF ala
baster of wonderful clearness, almost
! transparency, such as is only obtained
/ from the quarries Of Tecalli, a fountain
PLAYED. The clear. cool spray Of water
/ flashed in the sunlight. falling into the
basin with a soft musical sound.
There were flowers in pots. and two
| or three orange trees lent to the place a
delicious fragrance. The galleries were
supported by marble columns, spanned
/ by wide arches, deliberately carved and
adorned with fretwork. Upon the gal
/ lerv Of the second story were flowers
and plants. growing from large vase-liSe
/ lars: and from an intermingling Of
delicate climbing vines and palms and
flowers hung cages of birds.
There was something Hike Oriental lux
ury and beauty about the place. Even
in the unsettled state Of mind l was in,
I almost wished to lie down on one OF
the benches under the shady gallery.
listen to the play Of the fountain and
the songs of the birds. and TO forget
myself for a while
But all too soon servant came 70
tell me that the senOrita would see me,
and led the way up the stone steps TO
the second floor. The lower part OF the
house, like most OF the better class OF
Mexican houses. was taken up with
the servants rooms.
I was still under the spell Of my sur
roundings when 1 was shown Into a
large reception room. This. though not
ma gnificent. presented harmonious eff
feet in its furnishing and decorations.
Soft mats and rugs were on the floor,
costly draperies hung at the windows,
and divans were placed against the
walls. but the room was chilly, and not
as pleasant as the ganery.
instantly. as I entered the room, the
senorita. VINO had been reclining in a
chair. rose. and coming forward. ex-
[ tended TO me her hand. 1 bowed low,
r and she asked me to be seated
The senorita was a very queen OF
grace and beauty. She wore some kind
> fr.E IT. L
l shoulders was thrown a reboza en-
broidered in bright colors. Her dress
was Of fine soft silk the pattern being
, indistnct. and # appeared to be caught
2 in folds from the waist down, and
= draped about her figure, giving her the
[ appearance Of being taller than she
really was.
From her throat spanked a cluster
/ Of gems. half hidden in lace Her hair
was caught back, and within its wavy
: folds was rose. She was little pale,
so thought. bat the color in her cheeks
seemed 10 come and go
l stood awkwardIy before her. at a
loss w.,e-t 20 say. / think that in my
two years on the frontier 1 had lost
some Of my former grace and ease OF
? bearing when in the company Of ladies'
which I could III afford to part with
as had never had very much to boast
+, Of. I certainly had not that natural DO.
: likeness which is so characteristic OF
the Spanish race.
You did not expect TO see me-"
stammered, as I took the seat she Of
fered me
: Il was not expecting you. Senior Har
. vey," she replied. in her soft. musica
= voice. You have some word for rne?t
Yes from
I replied.
Can he not come TO me7'' she asked
4 He would be permitted 70 see me here
: Things are different now from VIVA
d. they were"
: I wonder what she meant by thing
- being different now. but she did not ex
u plain
j, He would certainly be pleased Z
o come" I replied. were he able to do &c
h At present he is confined TO his room a
= the hotel"
He is sick. them
~ Your uncle Is dangerously sick-it 1
o even doubtful II he can recover" I an
# swered. speaking somewhat severely, 70
I thought she showed very little interes
in his welfare.
The color, what little there was in he
J. face. seemed 10 vanish Instantly. Sh
covered her race with her hands to hid
i, the tears which came 20 her eyes
r. was sorry that I had spoken as I dc
d had misjudged her. To see her in tear
greatly moved me.
% Pardon me for speaking as bluntl
n as I did" said. but I thought tina
T. you did not care for him..
is She lifted her head, and her eyes me
mine.
m DO you think me heartless and do
" void Of feeling she asked almost ar
II grily. He Is my fathers brother II
n has been very. very kind to me. VIII
N else have l in the whole world VIII
II cares for me as much as he does?"
IL Il should have known" l said. "BJ
or we may hope for the best. The exertio
l and the excitement OF the past fe
Of days have been a great strain upon hin
He had been unwelI, as you knew, an
,e then being held by bandits
ID You did not tell me he had bee
taken by bandits!"
he Il did not know-it was since the tim
ID l brought you to La Puebla," I eJ
planned.
Ut And he is now in the city-at II
hotel?"