Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-07-08

ROSA.
knew that one of these girls must
be the wife of my German host, and
would have given worlds TO know
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 recognised
down by mozo preparatory to sad
ding and bridling 1t for my benefit
A strange mule is always an object OF
interest in Honduras, and Rosa's eyes
scrutiniZed it closely. AS the mono
pulled the animal forward little II
appeared to limp slightly, and Rosa
at once exclaimed: "Oh, the poor
beast! that hind leg is swollen. You
should not travel today, but give
the mule good rest"
l must say that the leg indicated did
not seem abnormally large to me, but
Il NhNSit Ca5tiAy CT ah NNNtSC III w
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 consdera-
ton sprung up within me for a mon
ster that hitherto had excited only the
most profound aversion. Just then
~ h4
after exchanging greetings ! told him
that feared my mule had gone some
what lame.
Pardon me-" he said courteouSly,
but / am glad to hear it, for now
you must remain with us at least until
tomorrow"
| thanked him. All day long my
host talked to me of coffee raising
and kindred topics, but as he said
nothing about his domestic relations
was as 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 were
seating ourselves there came galloping
up to the door young native dandy
picturesquely attired, and wearing on
his head a wide brimmed hat, on top
of which, like a weather-vane, was
perched a small stuffed rooster. He
was greeted by all as an old friend.
and was introduced to me as Don Jul
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 | conversed in Eng
lish | could perceive that Don Juan
was not altogether pleased with this
arrangement, but, nevertheless, it con-
tinued with occasional Interruptions
throughout the evening. He grew
moody and silent, and finally, when
he arose to go, though he bade me
goodby with extravagant courtesy,
noted a 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
panions, 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 a 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 a window on the
lower floor. In an instant | held her
delicate hand in mine to say good-by.
The house was wrapped in slumber,
and not a creature was stirring about
the grounds save some strident-voiced
early-rising parrots among the trees.
My face was just on a level with
Rosa's, her cheeks were flushed with
roses famed by the morning breeze.
her eyes were bewitching and tender.
How could | help but bend and kiss
her?
Then, as if startled by even so
slight a sound, my mule, frisky with
rest, was off with a bound, displaying
| must say, not the slightest sign Of
lameness. Once | turned in my sad
die and DOTTED my hat, and the fair
Rosa blew me a kiss from the tips of
her dainty fingers, as if 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.
Next day | found my comrades in
Santa Barbara, and from thence a
/ fortnights ride brought us to the
coast, where We caught a steamer for
home. At times amid the busy hum of
a crowded city come dreams and mem
cries of the lous land of Honduras,
the land of fruits and flowers, of
bright skies and untroubled days. And
sometimes l see the face of Rosa look