The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-11-16

BENSON AND BENITO
BY HENRY KIRK.
(Copyright.l

| (Copyright)
Benson had been in Mexico nine
months, and in that remarkably short
time had realized his two great ideas,
a fortune and the future Mrs. Ben
son. The former he had struck In the
San Pablo mines. and the latter In the
Senorita Dona Maria Loretta Escandon,
the daughter of the mayor of Puebla.
To be literal, Benson had only found
his ideal in the Senorita Maria Loretta,
for SO far she had given him little en-
couragement to think she would be
anything else This was not especial
ly discouraging to Benson, for, after
all, If man has his ideal. he has
something for which to work and OF
which to think-and Benson thought
OF Maria Loretta.
He thought of her as often az he
did Of the mine In the hills beyond
Puebla. He thought Of her yellow
bronze hair and her blue eyes, re-
membrance from her Andalusian ia
theirs. He thought Of her white skin
and her marvelously small hands and
feet.
He knew that he could be proud Of
her in his home, as well as being hap
by with her, and that she had all the
little graces and laces of social and
domestic economy well forward.
Maria Loretta had gone to school in
Paris and had travelled as far as the
Tai Mahal She had also passed two
winters in Washington with her cousin,
the wife of the Mexican minister. Her
English was better than his own, and
she could talk Of many things. from
the st. Petersburg duma to certain
little pink fishes in the China sea.
Just what she thought Of him he did
not know. He imagined she placed him
in a somewhere that was merely am
liable. He had worked hard enough to
make an impression-used all his ways
of attack-picnics and dinners, thea
ters and stacks Of flowers.
Upon this particular day Benson sat
beside her in the Plaza de Toros. He
enjoyed the national pastime well
enough, but came upon this occasion
principally to see Maria Loretta. He
left his mines IN the hills, his poems
and his ponies, to come into Puebla
and sit beside the mayors daughter
in.the mayors own box at the great
correo.
Things would not have been so bad
If 1t had not been for the Senior Don
Luis Tovar, who sat In the adjoining
chair, next to the Dona Marcia. the
aunt Of Maria Loretta.
"Senorita Loretta" said Benson soft
ly. you are wearing my flowers"
"Ah. so am" smiled the girl. "Just
think of all the flowers / have worn
since was child Do you know.
have done nothing else."
They were made for you"
Everything was made for US. Senior
Benson-the sky and the earth, the
sun and the little trees, and the big
one, too All, there is Benitoi"
Benson looked down into the arena.
A magnificent bull had been released
from his pen and had bounded into the
open. Upon his shoulder was fam
ing ribbon, the color of his owner. The
animal paused moment as II stunned
by the sudden transition from dark
ness to the light, looked about him,
and then made rush for the nearest
capeador with his crimson cloak.
"That is our Benito!" cried Maria
Loretta. rs he not beautiful? When
he was born made him wreath of
roses. So. you see. Senior Benson, the
flowers were made for the bulls, too"
Benson could make no reply to this.
There seemed nothing that he could
say.
The girl went on: mot that care
SO extremely for the bull fight, but this
is our Benito. 1t is his third time in
the ring; the banderilleros have never
conquered him."
Benson leaned toward her.
1T seems a privilege of your family,
Senorita Loretta, to conquer"
my father and my brothers?"
II mean you"
I'll What have I donef"
Il have been trying to tell you"
See how Benito eludes theml Was
there ever such gayety In the plazal"
Benson looked out through the yell
low air. The people upon the opposite
side were baking in the sun. but they
were as enthusiastic as those about
him in the comfortable shade. It was
indeed a great day. The band played:
the flags hung gayly from their poles;
everybody cheered.
Benson leaned over again. Don Luis
was watching him and broke out into
a laugh. This threw Benson on. It
was like a banderilla in his own heart.
There were more Of them there than
were in the shoulder Of Benito. The
only difference was Benito didn't seem
to mind.
Don Luis talked necessarily. He
laughed and he rolled his eyes and he
clapped his hands. He made ejacula-
tons and addressed Benito as If he
were a god. Benson saw that all this
pleased the girl Why was he not
toreador or something like that7 Why
coed he not distinguish himself In the
eyes of the one he loved? All he could
do was to make money. but that was
the last in her thought.
He became desperate
"Senorita Loretta" he said tensely.
Il love you'll"
"Senor Benson, my aunt win hear
you"
II do not care"
Don Luis"
what difference-I-"
And it is not the custom of my
country to-" She raised her shout
ders. You must appear Indifferent,
as Don Luis is looking. Do you know,
he is almost uncanny at times-the
way he looks"
You do not wish him to known"
"No-no-no-you silly man. Why
should II"
Il have loved you from the first
time that saw you"
And how long is that?"
Nine months. saw you the day
came to Mexico"
you are constant. Nine monthsl
That is long to love-"
Don Luis made an exclamation. The
girl looked up quickly.
I'VE are forgetting Benito. See how
he makes them runi He will not be
conquered. He will have another year
of freedom. Stay where you are, Don
Luis. Aunt Marcia wishes to say
something. I am sure"
She turned and smiled at Benson
and waited. He said nothing, for his
words stuck somewhere.
1T is very different in Mexico. Sc