The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1935-03-14
YOU
AMERICANS
g
By r. Ell. WILKINSON
@. Bell syndicate.-wNU Service.

there was no one at the station to meet
the train.
The place was deserted, save for a
girl.
And because the station agent was
busy with the trains mail clerk, Gayle
approached her with a question.
She was pretty girl, dark and
olive-skinned, having many of the char
acteristicss save for her exquisite beau
ty, that all Mexican girls possess.
Il wonder" said Gayle, IF you
could direct me to the hotel? There
is a hotel, presumed"
Gayle had spoken in English, habitu-
ally,and he wondered whether or not
the girl would understand.
| He was, therefore, little taken back
at her remarkably precise use of the
language
Indeed, senior, there is a hotel in
Juan. And very excellent hotel, you
may be sure"
Her voice was dellciously sweet, re-
minding Gayle of the stunning of
guitar.
Come, l will take you there"
Gayle picked up his bag and fol-
lowed her across the dusty street and
along the narrow pathway between the
two rows of false-fronted buildings.
He felt little uneasy.
He wasn't used to having girls guide
him about, especially pretty girls such
as the beautiful senorita, whose heels
he logged.
ITS lovely here, isn't it," he said
by way of making conversation.
She turned on him almost abruptly.
"Ah, senior, you Americans do not know
the real beauty of Mexico, the culture,
the civilization that is here"
Gayle realized his mistake.
He saw that she had misunderstood
his meaning, and was looking at him
defantly.
II beg your pardon" he said. ST.
didn't intend"
you think we are crude" she cut
in. Crude and uncultured, savages.
oh, 1 know. l was educated at one
of your American colleges. 1 am glad
that you are here to see"
"But, really, didn't mean to be
rude. I'm sure the American idea Is
wrong. Positive, after meeting.
YOU
Her white teeth flashed.
"You think me beautiful, senior? But,
of course. All the foolish men think
me beautiful. Their love-making Is,
most amusing"
Her frankness was startling.
zone day l shall marry" she went
on, sadly 1t seemed. And then all
my fun will be over"
II suppose" said Gayle, with equal
frankness, you have had many op-'
portunities?"
"oh, many! But these men are so
stupid"
She sighed.
II will one day marry an Americana
and he will come here to live and
learn to appreciate our wonderful
country. But here, senior, is the hotel.
1 must hurry along. Adios."
But, say. May not see you again?
This is rather abrupt, you know. Leav-
ing me like this. May l not see you
homer"
She shook her head.
"Ah, no, senior My father would be
angry with me. He does not approve
of me talking to strangers"
"But how do you know l will not
follow you and introduce myself to
your father and ask if may not call
upon his charming daughter?"
Because" said the girl, 81 ask you
not to. And you Americans are so gal
liant. You would not break trust"
There was no answer to this, and
Gayle stood little awkwardly and
watched the slim, young figure vanish
up side street.
Gayle was thinking deeply as he en-
tered the hotel and engaged room.
The town wasn't so big but what
he'd probably see the girl again, and
he had every intention of knowing her
better.
The sight of the papers lying in the
bottom of his travelling bag recalled
the purpose of his visit.
He glanced at his watch. 1t was still
only three in the afternoon.
If he hurried he could call on Don
Jose before dinner, perhaps begin ne
gotiations for the purchase Of the
mine
1t was close to four o'clock when
Gayle rode through the gateway of
Don Jose Gomez's ranchero.
The place was, he discovered, the
largest and most palatial that he had
seen since entering Mexico. Mere
words could not describe it's exquisite
beauty.
GAYLE dismissed his driver and
strobe up on the porch.
He was admitted by a pretty Next
can girl, dressed In the gay attire of
the country, and ushered into the great
living room.
A moment later Don Jose himself
stood In the doorway.
"Ah, Mr.. Alvin. A thousand pardons
for not meeting your train. We under
stood it was tomorrow"
Gayle acknowledged the greeting
with the merest of mods.
He was staring over the Don's Shout
der at the slim figure in the hallway.
Don Jose saw the look and turned.
"Carlota! What are you doing there!
Put come in and meet our p1leSt Mr.