Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1907-03-28

understood the situation. and accepted
1T with resignation. With such horses
as they had, it would be useless to
follow. Besides, her life had made her
something of a fatalist, accepting
whatever came.
Eduardo and Rosita rode through
the night, reaching Campo the follow
ing day. There they were married,
and Rosita thought life of bliss was
opening for her. Eduardo was a
jealous and passionate husband, but
this she liked; it gave her a feeling of
value and Importance that was pleas
ing. She was glad to be guarded and
ruled and protected in this way; she
gloried in the feeling that she was
owned by this man and was thus
priced by him.
For two days they remained togeth-
er at Campo, and then he left her for
two days, first making it plain that he
would hold to personal account anyone
who exceeded what he. deemed the
bounds of strict propriety in the treat
ment of his wife. This warning all
men needed, giving her only the most
formal courtesy, which she deemed
( evidence of the high respect in which
her husband was held. Of the business
that took him away, she merely sur
missed that it had to do with bringing
some Chinese over the border, and she
wisely asked no questions.
Another two days they had to-
gether, when he returned, and then he
had business down the Tres Pesos val
| ley, and this time she went with him.
She was happy beyond the power of
expression. He was liberal and de-
voted; he had money in greater sums
than her father had ever possessed at
one time; he bought for her whatever
she desired; but, most of all. she liked
his fierce, jealous guardianship, for in
that, she was sure, was great love.
1--WE will go and make peace with
your father" he explained.
They were received with neither re.
proaches nor great joy. Having as.
sured himself that they were really
married, Rosita's father accepted the
situation philosophically, and, in a
matter-of-fact, uncommittal way, made
room in the house for his son-in-law
Two days again-always two days
and Eduardo found it necessary to re.
turn. But this time Rosita did not
ride with him. He was taking her to
no home of their own; he was making
no home for her; he was giving her no
chance to make home for him; he
was leaving her where he had found
her. Still Rosita believed in him. He
would come later to take her away
from this life for good.
He came again-for two days-and
then he came no more. The road was
long, and there were other girls; and
when one has been successful in the
chase, and has had the fruits of vic
tory. ones interest flags. Was it moi
enough that she was there, to be
claimed as he might desire? 1t was
we'll to have place to stop when he
happened so far south, but he had rel
atlves nearer. 1t may not be said thai
he was always welcome when he Wis
tied these relatives, but that was Of
slight Importance; he partook of theil
hospitality, and, when ready, went OF
his way, sometimes on horseback ant
sometimes with his blackboard.
She heard of him from Campo, ant
there was reason to believe that hi!
own rules of conduct were far diff
ferent from those he laid down TO
her, for he was said to smile often up
on other girls. She turned a deaf ca
to such stories, and held doggedly t
her belief in him. Without that belief
there would have been nothing in Lift
l for her.
} when l come again." he had toll
her on the occasion of his last visit,
, shall be ready to take you back witt