New Ulm review., 1913-03-26

appreciation.
Absent-mindedly. the girls dipped
into the box Of bonbons between them
Jean finished her correspondence and
essayed conversation, bnt her compan.
Ions blond head was bowed over the
book in her lap. and the effort met
with no response. Lulled by the som.
niferous droning of insects and lazy
echoes from afar. Miss Chaplin was
on the verge of slumber, when she
saw her guest rapidly turn the last
pages OF her novel. then, with choco.
late between her teeth. read wide
eyed to the finish. Miss Blake closed
the book reluctantly. uncurled slowly.
then stared out through the dancing
heat-waves. her blue eyes shadowed
with romance.
did she marry him?" queried Jean.
mo, mol" Helen Blake sighed. bliss
fully. 1T was infinitely finer. She
killed herself"
Il like to see them get married"
Naturally. You are at that stage.
But think suicide is more glorious,
in many cases"
Miss Chaplin yawned openly. Speak
ing Of suicides. isn't this ranch the
deadest place?"
"Oh. I don't think 90 at all"
"Oh yes, you do. and you needn't be
polite just because you're . guest"
well, then. to be 40 truthful % q
boarder. It is . little dull. Not for
our chaperon. though. The time
doesn't seem to drag on her hands.
Jack certainly is making it pleasant
for her"
III you call taking her out to watch
a lot Of believing calves get branded.
entertainment" Miss Chaplin sighed.
Miss Blake leaned forward and read
the inscription on her companions 8
medal. "Oh, isn't it heavy!" feeling
it reverently.
pure gold, like himself! You
should have seen him when he won it.
Why, at the finish of that race all the
men but Culver were making the
most horrible faces. They were sim
ply dead"
Miss Blake's hands were clasped in
her lap. "They all make faces" said
she. Have you told Roberta about
your engagement"
mo. she doesn't dream Of it, and
don't want her to know. I'm so afraid
she'll think. now that mother has
gone, that I asked her here just as
chaperon. Perhaps I'll tell her when
Culver comes"
Il have heard Culver speak Of him,
but never as an athlete. Have you
and Mr.. Speed settled things between
you. Helen? I mean, has he-said any.
thing?"
Miss Blake flushed.
mot exactly" She adjusted .
cushion to cover, her confusion. then
leaned back complacently. But he
has suffered dangerously several
times"
A musical tinkle Of silver spurs
sounded In the distance, and around
the corner of the cook.house opposite
came Carara. the Mexican. his wide,
spansled sombrero tipped rakishly
over one ear, corn.husk cigarette
dropping from his lips.
ITS that romantic Spaniard!" whis-
pered Helen. what does he want7"
ITS his afternoon call on Marie
delta, tho maid" said Jean. "They
meet there twice day. morning and
afternoon
"A lovers tryst!" breathed Miss
Blake, eagerly. isn't he graceful and
picturesque! Can we watch them?"
'Sh.h! There she comes!"
From the opposite direction ap.
peared slim. swarthy Mexican girl.
an Indian waterjug balanced upon her
shoulders. She was clad in the |
straight-hanging native garment, belt
I'd in with . sash; her feet were in |
and she moved as silently as |
! shadow.
During the four days since Miss
Blake's arrival at the Flying Heart
Ranch she had seen Mariedetta fit
ing noiselessly here and there, but
lad never heard her speak. The pref
y, expressionless face beneath the
straight black hair had ever retained
q wooden stolidity. the velvety eyes
ad not laughed nor frowned nor
parked. She seemed to be merely
part of this far southwestern pic
ure; bit of inanimate yet breath
ag local color. Now, however, the
irl dropped her jug. and with low
~ glideds to her lover, who tossed
side his cigarette and took her in his
rms. From this distance their words
,ere indistinguishable.
"How perfectly romantic" said the
'astern girl, breathlessly. II had no
lea Mariedetta could love anybody"
"She is q volcano" Jean answered.
"Why, it's like 4 play!"
"And it goes on all the time" L
"How gentle and sweet he is!
hink he is charming. He is not at all
Ike the other cowboys, is he?"
While the two witnesses CO the
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