Gilpin observer., 1914-10-01
CHAPTER XII.


Mexicans-in fact, its rates were prac-
tically prohibitive for anyone not be-
ing paid in gold-but, since most Of
the Americans had left, and seven dol
! lars a day Mex was no deterrent to the
rich refugee land owners, 1t became
of sudden international, with fine
mixture of purse-proud Spaniards and
race-proud American adventurers.
Not a very pleasing combination for
the parents Of romantic damsels des-
tined for some prearranged marriage
of state, but very exciting for the dam
sells and most provocative to the Amer
leans.
After the promenade in the plaza
the mothers by common consent pre-
empted the upstairs reception-room.
gathering their precious charges in
close; while the Americans, after their
custom, foregathered in the lobby,
convenient to the bar. Hot argu-
ments about the revolution, and pre-
dictions OF events to come served to
pass the early evening, with many
scornful glances at the Mexican dan
dies who went SO insolently up the
stairs. And then, as the refugees re-
tired to their apartments and the spirit
Of adventure rose uppermost, Phil De
Lancey made dash out into the
darkness and came back with a Mexi-
can string band
"A serenade, boys!" he announced
as the musicians filed sheepishly into
the hotel. Our guests, the fair seno-
ritas, you know! Well make those
young Mexican dudes look like two
spots before the war Is over. Who's
game now for a song beneath the win
dows? You know the old stand-bys-
La Paloma' and 'Teresita Mia'-and
you want to listen to me sing Me Gus
tan Todas' to Gracia, the fairest of the
fair! Come on, fellows, out in the
plaza. and then listen to the old folks
cuss!"
They adjourned then. after . drink
for courage. to the moonlight and tha
plaza; and there, beneath the shut
tered windows and vacant balconies.
the guitars and violins took up La
Paloma," while Phil and q few brave
spirits sang.
| A silence followed their frat at
tempt, as we'll as their second and
third, and the comisario OF police. q
mild creature owned and paid by the
company, came around and made q
few Intellectual protests.
But inside the companys conces-
sion. where by common consent the
militant rurales kept their hands OF.
the Americans knew they we're safe.
and they soon 1ollied the comisario
into taking drink and departing.
Then De Eancey took up the burden.
and the string band, hired by the hour,
strummed on as II for eternity
One by one the windows opened:
fretful fathers stepped out on the bal
cony and. bound by the custom and
convention OF the country, thanked
them and bade them good night. But
the two windows behind which the
Senior Aragon and his family reposed
did not open and, though the dwin-
ding band stood directly under their
balcony. and all knew that his daugh-
ter was the fairest Of the fair, Don
| Cipriano did not wish them good night.
| Perhaps he recognized the leading
tenor-and the big voice Of Bud
Hooker. trying to still the riot-but,
however 1t was. he would not speak
! TO them, and De Lancey would not
quit.
TRY 'em on American musicl" he
| cried, as everyone but Bud went away
in disgust, "the latest rag from Broad
wa-ay, New York. Here. gimme that
| guitar, hombre, and listen to this
now!"
He picked out a clever bit of syn
copation and pitched his voice to .
hesdy twang:
Down In the garden whers tn. red roses
| Pluck me like . nowsr. cudAis me an hour.
LOWE let me learn the Red Rose Ra-sEr'
| There was some swing to that, and
It seemed to make an impression, for
Just as he was we'll started on the
chorus the stats Of one of the shut
teN parted and patch Of white shone
through the spaces. II was the ladies.
then. who were getting Interested |
Phil walled on:
| ."swes-eet honey-bse. be sweet to mel
Ny heart 10 free. but here's the keyr'
And then. positively. he could see
that patch OF white beat time. He
took heart OF grace at that and sang
on to the end, and at suggestion OF
clapping in dumb-show he gave an en-
core and ragged It over again.
Ev'rybodys doin 1t, doin' It, doin'
IT." he began, as the shadow dance
ceased.
"'Honey. declare. it's a bear. it's .
bear. it's a bearl'" he continued
temptingly, and was well on his way
to further extravagancies when the
figure in white swiftly vanished and q
door slammed hard inside the house.
Several minutes later the form Of
Don Juan appeared at tho lower door,
and In no uncertain tones he requested
| them to cease.