The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-31

| I wondered If she had seen me stoop 70
pick up the rose she dropped. l was
vain enough TO believe that she had
F, dropped II for me. and wove quite
pretty romance out of the affair. When
however. recalled the fate the rose met
with. my little romantic love dream van
ished
| At last, rousing myself from my rev.
erie. and somewhat angry with myself
for having given up to so much senti-
ment. 1 rose from my chair on the gal
lery with a determination to dismiss the
whole matter from my mind and think
no more about it.
1t was not probable that 1 would ever
see the senorita again, and If l did
could not hope for an acquaintance.
had no business with love affair.
I started out for a walk. but had not
more than left the house when I was
called back and a note handed me. The
note was very brief. merely directing
me TO meet the writer at the Hotel Itur-
bide as soon as possible, and was signed
Phillip Melrose."
Ny heart gave great bound when 1
noticed the signature.
| At last / was through waiting. I was
about 10 undertake my mission, and the
mystery which surrounded IL was to be
cleared away. doubted not that every
thing would be satisfactorily explained.
1t is hardly necessary TO state that l
lost no time IN presenting myself at the
hotel. The truth was. l was beginning
to be almost sick at heart with waiting
on uncertainties and remaining in forced
idleness. Had l been able 10 learn any
thing of Mr. Melrose, or had I known
for certain that I was TO enter his en-
ploy. 1t might have been different with
me. As it was. uncertain as TO what flu
tGre events would lead to, and as to
how long ] would be kept in suspense.
i had decided when ] was talking with
Martin that ] would attempt to leave
the city and join The Liberal army
That I should do something was all
most imperative for my money was
about gone. and there was no prospect
Of my being able to replenish my
pocketbook as long as remained in
idleness.
At the hotel I found Mr.. Melrose, but
so changed that I did not at first rec
ognize him. His hair seemed to have
whitened. his eyes were sunken, HIS
cheeks were shrunken and wrinlklcd,
and his step was slow and unsteady.
You see I am an invalid" he said
recognizing me, and extending his hand.
Il trust that it Is nothing serious.
and that you are on the road to
health. I said. as took hts bony hand
in mine, and marked the change which
had come to him since we parted at Ell
Paso.
Yes. am recovering he replied
quickly. Il viii soon be all right 1
was delayed az Vera Cruz-an unhealthy
: place. l had the fever They thought /
would not live fought for my life and
won. I would have tiied had / given up.
: I'm not quite myself, but II be all
right in a week or two. ] don't intend
to let them bury me yet a while But
how about yourself; you have been wait
ing all these weeks for ne?"
II have waited" I replied. There
was nothing else for me to do but wait
But had you not come as you did I
fear I would have been off. and possi-
bly, fighting for Mexican liberty
Yes. yes. that would be like you" be
exclaimed. II thought OF that It was
what I feared. could not expect YOU
to wait for me. but I came as soon as
could You sti1 have a mind to listen
to me. have your
Yes I replied. IF you do not think
the exertion Of talking will be too much
for you"
Not at ALL" he said. ''but first"
He broke off abruptly and went and
closed the door. which had been left
, open.
! IF we expect to succeed in this mat
! ter we must observe the utmost Sc
! crecy.Y he explained. resuming his seat.
, IF possible. I do not want it known
+ that I am in the city. What / wish tC
e accomplish now I undertook some year.
% ago and failed. Yet not so strange Il
a IL that / failed when one understa nd.
. the power Of those in authority. and
e how arbitrarily that power is exercised
/ I shall act with more caution this time
4 But to the point,
i Shortly before the war between our
T. country and Mexico. and when the mat.
|, ter of the boundary line between The
e two countries was IN dispute, my
brother. Francis Melrose. came here a.
[ an attache of the American legation
. His stay was protracted some time af-
= ter he had completed his business. Fl,
L had invested some money here. and haC
a also married a Spanish lady of gooC
n family. and a most excellent woman.
r When the war broke out he fount
n himself naturally IN an embarrassing
position He had quite good deal OF
s property, and this was liable TO con
=, fscation. In a business way he mad,
the acquaintance OF a wealthy Mexican
- and a person of considerable influence
% Don Carlos dc Ulloa. who befriendec
him and enabled him to save his prop
70 erty from seizure
, my brother never returned TO hi!
+ own country more than for short visits
but kept mis- residence in Mexico II,
e was killed by bandits. so 1t was re
~ ported. about five years ago. leaving hi
=, wife. and one child, Teresa, survivin:
!, him. The facts regarding my brother
death win probably never be known
~~fIis wife was woman of remariSa bl,
- beauty. ana chose TO remain in Mexico
- Two years after her husbands dealt
- word was received of her marriage t,
: Don Carlos.
AT that time her child. Teresa. wa
attending school for girls In New
= York, having returned there after he
> fathers death My brother being pro
nounced Protestant. would not consen
= to her being educated in the Catholi
- fschools of Mexico, and had sent he
away to school some two years befor
D. his death. After her mothers marriag
l. Teresa went back to Mexico. This wa
ID about three years ago. She is now
y young lady.