The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-14
ROSE OF MEXICO
ANONYMOUS.

the ranch house, Cecilia felt the first
tug at her heartstrings since she hau
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 pinned for
lack of gentle company down in the
wilds. So Cts, as he called her, had
been the one who felt the call oil
duty.
And she amt never been sorry"
Bob told Senior Baeza that first night
- they stood together out on the
adobe porch smoking in fraternal
fashion. i've got more cattle than
Ill even count. The beef trust never
hits me, and it'll all 60 to Cts when
cash in. Don't want to buy any
horses, do your"
Ramon shook his head.
Il am not North for buying.
travel to Corpus Christi to bring
my Dolores from the convent there.
When we return this way. will show
you the rose of Mexico, senior"
Then came a still twilight hour,
with q slip OF q new moon showing
family in the amber and jade sky
and two horses coming up the road.
with the senior and his girl sister.
Ctc IN than Qnd tnnk
| Dolores in her arms. Bob stood
watching them both, his keen gray
| eyes half closed.
Such a child, senor," 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 afterward,
so we two are alone. You must be
very sweet to hcr, my seno1ta."
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
for a week at least Big, long-legged
Bob, Twenty-Five years old, with the
fiber of rock-ribbed Vermont i'll his
being, would flush to the roots of his
curly, straw-colored hair every time
Z, the senior spoke of leaving.
One day in the garden, while CHS
worked among her rose bushes and
sparse pansy beds, Dolores followed
her around.
1T is glorious to have brother, is
It nOt?" she sighed. I'VE must he
very loyal to them, for they need us
greatly. II ! 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 his heels II /
wasn't right there to tell him which
was which. I'll have to stay right
here and take care of him."
But II he should love. senorita? 1t
would be very hard for your"
mo. 1t wouldn't. I'd 60 back home
and teach school again"
And you would not mind at all?"
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
grew tender as she smiled up at her.
why, guess l shouldn't mind;
not II 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.
Curly Barton was the leader. As
he talked to Bob. he looked over
where CHS stood and waved his hat
to her, but she stood silent, chin up,
waiting.
There had been fight along the
border, Curly said. Rustlers had
stolen over and cut out over 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
And they had heard that Bob had a
couple there.
Yes, | have" Bob said calmly
The young lady | am going to marry
and her brother What you got to
say to that, Curly?"
Dolores heard, and her hand
reached out for Cts.
You got all the horses back?
asked Bob. Curly grinned 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 have shot me, yes?" he
asked genially You are very kind
senior very faithful. | am no bandit
no revolutionist. | have been plum
dered alike by Villa and the others
II has been peace here at your ranch
have fingered because I 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.
Il got the same answer last night
from Dolores, but still ] got her
promise You are slow. Baeza &c
tell her now we will make II a double