The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-21
(Copyright.)

\ TUGGY tropical night was setting M down on La Luna, Mexican 4V4 rubber plantation. Across the river from the plantation house gloom shrouded the jungle-inky blackness gemmed with the greenish incandes- cence of myriad lantern flies. It was very hot, close, oppressive as north ern nightmare, but there was at least cess of the rodedores, most virulent of insect pests, for Gilson, the field su- perintendent, stretched at ease on the veranda.
 He was alone. In the office Elem ing, the manager, was swearing over his monthly report in vain efforts to make actual results in rubber culture take the color of stockholders expecta- tions. Mrs. Fleming had gone for ride in the cool with Jackson, the bookkeeper, and Miss Mabel, the man ager's sister, about whom Gilson's thoughts were centered.
 Inimitable as Cupid is in his methods, 1t is doubtful if he ever presented him. self to mortal in more original guise than that which he assumed for Gill; son. While taking short vacation in the City of Mexico two months before he and Bender of Las Glorias had de- scried party of tourists, one of those "personally conducted" plaques that are visited upon foreign countries for their . sins of evil living. Blue and gold tags proclaimed that this particular aggre- gation was the Association of Browns vile Joiners" and as, all bloated with the pride of travel, it sailed down Calle San Francisco, Gilson drew his companion aside into the doorway of a church.
 But they were not to escape so easily for two girls at the tail of the process sion stopped and, raising fine gray eyes to Gilson's height, the taller girl in quired the name of the church. Ordi- narily he would have answered cour- teously but, irritated by the party's foolish behavior, he replied in Span ish:
 NO comprende Senorita." He did not understand.
 "He looked like an American" the other girl said, and after they passed on Bender turned on Gilson.
 You chump! Wnat made you do that? Here we've seen nothing but dirty enganchada women for the last six months, and you balk at a chance like that"
 Gilson loftily waved away the others indignation. 'I never expected to renege on my nationality, but I wouldn't give a fool of that bunch a chance to brand me in with her herd" Then, ignorant of the fact that he was playing with Cupid's lfghtnings, he added, T would not be seen on the calle with eith her.'
 It discharged, the lightning, at noon, taking form in a telegram from Elem ing: My sister telegraphs will arrive City of Mexico today. Please escort hor down..
 "That was yesterday" Bender con- ilented. We had better do the hotels and see if she has registered"
 She had, at the Palazio, but there was nothing in the neat signature to recall their adventure of the morning, and the two vied, in quantity and quality of bushes when Gray-Eyes and her com panion rustled into the parlor.
 Having obtained glimpse of their vis- itors in the patio below, the girls were quite composed. Only a slight dimpling at the corners of a very sweet mouth be- t-ayed Mabel Fleming's appreciation of the situation as she introduced her com Lanon, the daughter of a neighboring planter; and only once did she permit herself the very slightest of allusions.
 "If you will please see the porter about cur trunks, MT. Gison," she said IS the young men took leave after making train arrangements for next morning,