The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1912-08-30

Love Affairs Of a Mexican
Girl.
LIZ LoulsE PALMER MILLER.

$500
at her feet, first looking into her
pretty face. then watching her small
brown fingers nimbly drawing the
white threads into place by her
crochet needle. He was telling her OF
his visit to the city and Of the bold
advance that the common poems had
made In its capture the year before
under the rising tide that surged
throughout Mexico and submerged the
brave Diaz.
1t was not, however, the signifi-
canoe Of the war that was holding the
simple mind Of Carmelita. She was
Interested In Juan's recital only be-
cause he told of the little city OF
which she had dreamed, but which
she had never seen, although she had
lived, since her birth. but forty miles
from Culiacan. The only villages she
had visited were much like her own.
She had only heard of Cuiiacan.
There people lived in brick houses.
Instead OF touches made Of branches
they had beds hung with draperies
and they had rugs on the floor. She
had heard OF white Americans build
ing houses with windows Of glass.
Juan, throughout his narration.
man-like, thought Carmelita was In
kerested In the heroic deeds and was
battered by her attentive mood Sud
denly. In q pause of his recital, she
interposed: "Juan, wish we were
rich and could live In the city after
We marry. It must be fine to ride
Ia carriages and look into stores with
all their bright clothing Cant we
move there some day, Juan?'
You would not enjoy life in the
hot city, my sweet" said Juan. .'The
houses are SO closely built that you
would smother for q breath Of air.
You could not watch the brilliant
feathered birds nor see trees and
bushes there. You could not battle
In the cool brook when the hot days
come
The women of Culiacan are not
fresh and beautiful as you are. Car
melita, the only roses that blossom on
their cheeks are placed there by the
use Of red paint. Perhaps we can
visit there at the time of our mar
riage. IL we save a little each week
out Of our scanty earnings. but to
live there, neveri never! never!"
Carmelita did not raise her voice
in protest but In her heart the old
craving did not die There was al
ways hope that by some strange
means she could live In city where
there were bands of music and a
porch where people gathered to tank
and promenade.
During the short silence between
the two lovers, while Carmelita was
resolving this hope within her mind
and Juan was comparing CarmeIita
fayorably with all the other senoritas
he had even seen, their silence was
suddenly broken by the sound OF
hoofs on the road. without. old Pc
dro. Carmelita's father, was hating
his burro with that Sizing sound OF
the lips employed by the Mexican bur
70 drivers.
Juan did not change his position, for
he well knew that he was a welcome
guest in the Casa of the old Pedro, as
well as a welcome sutton for the hand
Of his daughter. The sound Of anoth.
or voice, however, caused him to
glance up curiously. He Immediately
jumped to. his feet with an attitude Of
respect. With old Pedro was rurale
dressed in all OF the elegance of his
uniform Welcome, Juan!" exclaim.
ed the father Of Carmelita. 'Come
forward to meet an officer OF our coun.
try who has lost his way hereabouts
In the mountains"
The rurale but half-greeted Juan
for he was looking quite past him with
bold admiration for the girl seated
On q rustic stool with pile Of Gro
cheting In her hands He had looked
upon many peon maidens before, bui
none 30 free from the heavy Mexican
features as this girl. He noticed the
unusual fairness Of the skin, the slen
derness OF the nose, the delicately
curved lips and the arch OF the small
brown feet. white blood some
where" he silently unused.
Carmelita's cheeks were flushed al
his steady gaze. and. while her eyes
were partly dropped, she was NO,
blind to the strange bearing Of this
man before her He was unlike any
man she had ever seen In her life. HI
wore q suit Of wool with gold buttons
as she thought, and on his feet were
shining boots instead Of sandals, and
over his arm hung cape lined will
bright velvet. She might have re
manned long in her fancy OF whether
this was dream or a real being, 4
her father had not demanded her Il
hurry lunch for them.
When the rurale hailed old Pc
dro The gave him an extra pesa t.
hurry him on his Journey with a quicl
lghch. Two days had passed now and
UT he said nothing OF his first inten
zion to hurry to his regiment. Oh
Pedro asked him each morning If h.
should have his horse ready earJv ~,