Graham guardian., 1921-07-22
Hale's Mexican
Bride
BY KATE EDMONDS
(9, 1921, Western Newspaper Union.


fully occupied with the girl who had
come into his life so recently.
Leonora was a cousin Of Don Luis
OblspO,. Of the neIghboring hacienda.
She had not been there when Hale
had arrived, six months before, to as.
sumo charge Of the engineering works.
He had not seen her, never heard Of
her during many friendly visits to the
ranch, until month before. Then,
Unexpectedly, she had come out from
the house upon the yeranda, where
Hale and Don Luis were drinking
coffee together.
"Senor Hale" said the Mexican, -ai-
low me to present you to my cousin,
Senorita LeOnora."
Hale had bowed and the senorfta
had smiled charmingly.
They had met frequently. and ever
Hale had fallen more and more under
the influence and charm Of the senort-
ta's flashing black eyes, her alluring
ways. But their friendship bad been.
on the surface, formal, until o week
piSNIouSlSi WHICH, SuiAiib " thC hn~
cienda, he had encountered her alone
upon the porch.
"SenOr Hale" she said, my cousin,
Don Luis, has gone to Mexico City
and my aunt has arrived to be my
chaperon."
Almost upon the words a hideous,
withered old crone came hobbiing out
upon stick.
"Senor," continued the girl, "per-
NIT me to present you to my aunt,
Sonora Maria Obispo,"
"Now. senor," continued the girl,
81 must say adieu. You must not
return. Don Ramon" she paused,
SIS very jealous of you"
81 am ashamed to tell you this" the
| girl continued but those are my rel
atives orders. AS you know, the
rebels are threatening this region, and
Don Ramon has obtained cap
taincy in their forces. He threatens
to burn the hacienda If you come here
| again."
SO Hale went, and thereupon, be-
cause 1t had grown impossible, his
iove grew stronger.
A group of MeXicans were lounging
round the door Of the mine Offices,
| but the mine was not running. As
Hale dismounted the mine foreman,
Haggerty. came out.
"Strike?" he asked.
"Yep," answered HaEgerty briefly.
"Don Ramon's In the hills with fifty
men and he's sworn to put us out Of
| business unless we hand out ten thou
sand pesos. And, by the way, for
| got to say that Don Ramon sent word
he wants you especially. II we'll hand
you over with the ten thousand we
can start up again.
He dismOunted at the door Of his
udobe, tethered his horse. and walked
into the trap which had been set for
him. Don Ramon was waiting inside,
with twenty Mexicans, and all their
rifles were leveled uncomfortably up
on his stomach.
The old crOne was waiting for them
| W!ll Cbiitt. bOli Ruhhoh iOVhSu
round briSily.
"Where is SenOrita Leonoraf' he
demanded.
"She is gonew muttered the crone.
"She rode out toward Sonora early
! this morning and has not returned"
"NOw, Senor, are you readyf" asked
Don Ramon pleasantly.
you intend to hang meT inquired
the American.
"To suspend you, Senor," the other
corrected.
The crOne flung herself at Don Ra-
mons feet, shrleking and fiinging her
arms wildly in the dust. Don Ramon
turned to Hale, and now he was
laughing bitterly.
"Senor Hale" he said. You shall
20 free and snharmed-if you con.
sent to marry the Sonora here"
Damn you, go on with your hang
Tug" shouted Hale.
The old woman rushed forward
screaming frantically, fell on her
knees before Don Ramon, and plead
ed with him. Don Ramon did not
give the expected signal.
"Senor," he said to Hale, surely
you will not disappOlnt my excellent
kinswoman by refusing her suit
Hale and the old lady were left
alone together.
They looked at each other. He
| ,,,rinl-InI fOpa tho hlRa rod
eyes, half visible beneath the heavy
lace mantilla which she had thrown
| over her head.
"Senor!" said a soft voice near him.
Hale started and turned around. II
was the voice Of the Senorita. He
heard n low laugh behind him again
and swung back toward the crOne.
Before him stood the Senorita, the
mnntillu raised and thrown back, the
bowed figure Strengthened, the flesh
clear and youthful and firm under the
nainted wrinkles, the black hair just
discernihle beneath the wig OF white.
"YOuw stammered Hale.
"Si, SenOr. Do you wish 10 change
your deCisiOnP" she murmured de-
murely.
"But why" he began.
"Ah, Senior, in these times an old
woman fares better than a young one
In Mexico. And yet could not leave
heCause-beCause i"
because you loved meT' he ex-
claimed trlumphantly, and clasped
her I'm his arms