The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-17
The Euening Story
A Rose of Mexico.


been eighteen then. Bob, her broth
er, had been running bachelors hall
| for three years, while his four sisters
stayed back home in Vermont, as Bob
one and only brother pinned for lack of
gentle company down in the wilds.
So Cts, as he called her, had been the
one who felt the call of duty.
"And she amt never been sorry"
Bob told Senior Baeza that first night
as they stood together out on the
adobe porch smoking in fraternal
fashion. I've got more cattle than
I'll ever count. The beef trust never
hits me, and it'll all go to Cts when
cash in
you will marry some time, yes?"
queried Baeza.
mot if know it first
Baeza smiled, showing his even
teeth pleasantly.
"Yet you may I say that also. My
sister Dolores will have all 1 have.
over the border is my hacienda,
senior. I have not suffered so much
depreciation during the war time. 1
am wise. I mind, as you say up here,
my own business, yes ?"
Don't want to buy up any horses,
do your"
Ramon shook his head.
ct am not north for buying. l
travel to Corpus Christi to bring my
Dolores from the convent there. When
we return this way. I will show you
the rose or MEXICO, senior
Bob forgot the promise, but day
after day as Cts sat out on the cool
stone porch, she watched the road
that wound eastward through the
wash where the sluggish river flowed
She wished with all her heart the
senior would come back that way.
Almost she believed from the look in
his eyes as he had said good-by, al
most she believed that he would
surely come.
with a slip of a new moon showing
family in the amber and jade sky,
and two horses coming up the road.
with the senior and his girl sister Cts
ran down to meet them and took
Dolores in her arms. Bob stood
watching them both, his keen gray
eyes half closed. st
such a child. senior" Cts cried, in
her brisk, hopeful way. why is she
so sad?"
I'VE have lost our father in the
war, back in Chihuahua" he told her.
resting one booted foot on the steps
Our mother lived a month after
ward, so we two are alone. You must
be very sweet to her, my Senorita."
Cts flushed at the caressing tone
and the look in his eyes.
Il love her even now" she an
swered. 81 wish you both could stay
here awhile"
Bob would not listen to them going
Bob, twenty-nine years old, with the
fibre of rock-ribbed Vermont in his
being, would flush to the roots of his
curly, straw-colored hair everytime
the senior spoke of leaving.
"Oh, pshaw! Don't talk of going
yet. 1t does the two girls good to be
together. Stay along, Baeza. Glad
to have YOU"
You like Dolores, don't you, Bob
bie?" Cts asked one night, coming up
leaned wit a
rose in his hands. Like her pretty
well. don't you?''
tractedly. "she makes my heart
Heard her singing last night when you
and Handy were in there washing
dishes. Gee, Cts. it made me feel
awful queer-most as if she belonged
here
Cts frowned, looking over to where
the purple border lay southwark.
Maybe you'll be thinking of marry
Bob slipped his arm around her
quickly.
IT won't, either. Haven't L got the
best little sister in the world? What
do 1 want to get married for?"
II know all about that" Cts sighed.
STILL
still what? Has the senior been
sort of counting around you, Cis?"
Cts flushed with swift betrayal and
ran laughing out of sight, with Bob's
words ringing in her ears. But the
next day in the garden, while she
worked among her rosebushes and
sparse pansy beds, Dolores followed
her around.
1T is glorious to have a brother is
it not ?" she sighed. I'VE must be
very loyal to them, for they need us
greatly. If I were to marry-certain-
ly will never marry-but if were to
marry. Ramon would almost die"
Cecilia's hands went faster.
They're fearfully dependent crea-
know his head from his heels if |
wasn't right there to tell him which |
was which I'll have to stay right !
here and take care of him.
But if he should love, senorita? 1t |
would be very hard for your
NO. it wouldn't. I'd go back home |
and teach school again.
And you would not mind at all 20 |
Something in the eager, joyous tone
made Cts look up. 1t had not occurred
to her that Bob might be interested |
in this slender. dark eyed girl from
over the border. And her own face
Why, I guess I shouldn't mind; t
not if she was mighty sweet
Down the road there came the
sound of horses galloping up from
the south below the roll of land that
sheltered the ranch. The girls rose 1
from their knees and watched the |,
rlders stop over near the corral where /
Bob and Baeza were. But Bob went |,
to meet them without fear or worry
on his good natured face.
Curly Barton was the leader. AS
he talked to Bob, he looked ever |
where Cts stood and waved his hat
to her, but she stood silent, chin up, B
waiting.
There had been fight along the Il
border, Curly said. Rust1ers had L
stolen over and cut out over a hum i