The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1909-07-15

the garden among the beautiful flow
ers, and erelong some call took Their
esa indoors. and | was left alone with
Rosa.
| knew that one of these girls must
be the wife OF my German host, and
would have given worlds 10 kr ow
which one, but delicacy forbade my
questioning Rosa on this. So we
strolled onward until we came to an
inviting arbor covered with roses and
here we seated ourselves and
breathed In the delicious GOODNESS and
fragrance of the morning.
Just outside the arbor | recognized
my mule, which was being rubbed
down by a mozo preparatory to sad
ding and bridllng It for my beaefit.
4 strange mule is always an object of
interest in Honduras, and Rosa's eyes
scrutinized 1t closely AS the mozo
pulled the animal forward a little 1t
appeared to limp slightly. and Rosa
at once exclaimed "Oh, the poor
beast! that hind leg is swollen. You
should not travel to-day, but give
the mule a good rest"
must say that the leg Indicated did
not seem abnormally large to me, but
| caught eagerly at an excuse for de-
lay, and agreed with Rosa that 1t
would indeed be a case OF cruelty to
animals to mount the beast that day.
Under the inspiration of Rosa's eyes
| felt a newborn love and considera.
ton sprung up within me for n mon.
ster that hitherto had excited only the
most profound aversion. Just then
Don Rudolf came upon the scene, and
after exchanging greetings | told him
that ! feared my mule had gone some
what lame.
Pardon me-" he said courteously,
"but | am glad to hear 1t. for now
you must remain with US at least Until
tomorrow"
host talked to me of coffee raising
and kindred topics, but as he said
nothing about his domestic relations
was rs much in the dark as ever as
to which of the two girls had the hon.
or of being his better half.
Soon after our arrival at the house
dinner was announced, and to my de.
light the ladies made their appearance,
looking fresh and charming In their
cool white garments. Just as we wcre
seating ourselves there came gallOpins
up to the door a young native dandy
,fgtt ,Vs 81,
his head wide. brimmed lat, on top
of which, like weather-yane, was
perched n small stuffed rooster. He
was greeted by all as an old friend,
and was introduced to me as Don Jul
an Juarez, the son of a neighboyiug
planter.
AS the dinner progressed Don Ru.
dOlf and Don Juan entered into an
earnest conversation In Spanish.
language | am not much at home IN, so
/ devoted my entire attention to the
ladies'. with whom converscd in Eng
llsh. could perceive that Don Juan
was not altogether pleased with this
ARRANGEMENT, but, nevertheless, 1t CON
tinued with occasional Interruptions
throughout the evening. He grew
moody and silent, and finally. when
he arose to go, though he babe me
good-by with extrayagant courtesy, |
noted CLEAN in his eyes that BODIED
me no goodwill
Shortly after the guests departure
babe my friends farewell. as they
were retiring for the night for | felt
that | should be OFF at daybreak. and
did not wish to disturb their slumbers.
Don Rudolf courteously begged me to
remain longer. but | was already con.
science stricken at the thought Of the
anxiety | must have caused my com.
panlons, from whom ! had been sep
arated on the previous day. So ex.
pressed my regrets and thanked my
host for his kind hospitality.
Promptly at sunrise the old cook en-.
tered my room bearing tray, and
not long afterwards | was mounted on
my mule once more. AS | rode by
the house thought heard soft call,
and looking In its direction | beheld
the beautiful Rosa at window on the
lower floor In an instant | held her
delicate hand in mine to say goodby.
The house was wrapped In slumber,
and not Il creature was stirring about
the grounds save some strident-voiced
early-rising parrots among tho trees.
My face was just on level with
Rosa's, her cheeks were flushed with
roses famed by the morning breeze,
her eyes were bewitcning and tender.
How could | help but bend and kiss
her?
Then, as II startled by. even 80
slight sound. my mule, frlsky with
rest, was off with bound, displaying,
| must say. not the slightest sign o.
lameness. Once turned in my sad.
die and doffed my hat, and the iair
Rosa blew me kiss from the tips OF
her dainty fingers. as II to assure me
that my temerity had not displeased
her; then down | plunged in a steep
ravine, and house and all we're lost to
sight.
nfo.. A., fnuna x,,. nop,~adas e.,