Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-12-30

ROSE Of MEXICO
ANONYMOUS.
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The night when Ramon Baeza
slipped from his saddle in front Of
the ranch house, Cecilia felt the first
tug at her heartstrings since she haC
! come to Texas
-Four years ago 1t was now. She
had been eighteen then. Bob. her
brother, had been running bachelors
hall for three years. while his four
sisters stayed back home in Vermont,
as Bob said, wasting their time while
their one and only brother pined fol
lack OF gentle company down in the
wilds So Cts, as he called her, had
been this one who felt the call OF
duty.
And she amt never been sorry"
as they stood together out on the
adobe porch smoking in fraternal
fashion. I've got more cattle than
III even count. The beef trust never
hits me, and it'll all go to CHS when
cash in. Don't want to buy any
horses, do you?"
ltanlen shook his head
Il am not North for buying.
travel to Corpus Christi rc bring
my Dolores from the convent there.
When We return this way, will show
you the rose OF Me&ico senior"
Then came still twilight hour,
with slip OF new moou showing
family i'll the amber and jade sky
and two horses coming up the road.
With the senior and his girl sister.
t'is ran down to meet them and took
Dolores III her arms. Bob stood
watching them both, his keen gray
eyes half closed.
Such child. senor." CHS cried, in
hel brisk, hopeful way. why is she
SO sad?'
We have lost our father in the
war, back in Chihuahua" he told her,
resting one booted foot on the steps.
Our mother lived u month afterward.
SO we two are alone. You must be
very sweet to her, my senorita."
Cts flushed at the caressinE tone
and the look in his eyes.
Il love her even now," she an.
swered. Il wish you both could stay
here awhile"
Bob would not listen to them going
for Il week at least. Big, long-legged
Bob, twenty-nine years old, with the
fiber OF rock-ribbed Vermont in his
being, would flush to the roots Of his
curly, straw-colored hair every time
the senor spoke Of leaving.
One day in the garden, while Cts
worked among her rose bushes and
sparse pansy beds, Dolores followed
her around.
1T is glorious to have brother, ia
1T not?' she sighed I'VE must be
greatly. III | were to marry-certain.
ly will never marry-but II were to
marry, Ramon would almost die"
Cecilia's hands went faster.
They're fearfully dependent crea.
lures" she answered. Bob Wouldn't
know his head from This heels II
wasn't right there to tell him which
was which LII have to stay right
here and take care Of him."
But if he should love, senorita? It
would be very hard for you?"
No, it wouldn't. I'd go hack home
and teach school again"
And you would not mind at all?"
Something in the eager, joyous tone
made CHS Look UP. 1t had rot occurred
to her that Bob might be Interested
in this slender, dark-eyed girl FROM
over the border. And her own face
grew tender as she smiled up at her.
why, guess shouldn't mind;
not ii she was mighty sweet"
Down the road there came the
sound ct horses galloping up from
the south below the roll OF land that
sheltered the ra.ch.
Curly Barton was the leader. As
he talked to Bob, he looked over
where Cis stood and waved his hat
waiting.
There had been a fight along the
border. Curly said. Rustlers had
stolen over and cut out over q hun
dred horses. His cowboys had pur.
sued them and there had been a run
ming fight. Five men lay dead down
the wash, their faces upturned to the
sunlight 1t had been decided best
for the community at large to drive
every last Mexican back over the line.
Ard they had heard that Bob had a
couple there.
Yes, 1 have. Bob said calmly.
"1he young lady | am going TO marry
and her brother. What you got tc
say To that. Curly?
Dolores heard and her hand
reached out for CHS.
You got all the horses back?"
asked Bob. Curly srinned reminis.
Gently
Yep. And some of theirs, too"
Then drop it. These are my
guests" He stood watching the boys
ride on. and Baeza came toward him.
They would nave shot me, yes?' he
asked genially. You are very kind,
senior. very faithful. am no bandit
i no revolutionist. l have been plum
oeTeu dllht ny Sliid anu ZIG otueiS
Ii has beer peace here at your ranch.
have fingered because ! love your
sister | have already told her, but
she is loyal and tender-hearted. She
will not leave you alone. she says"
Bob leaned back his head and
laughed.
q got the same answer last night
from Dolores, but still l got her
promise. You are slow. Baeza. Gn
/ tell her now we will make 1t q double