The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1944-01-24

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paths. However, they were attirec
i far more deliberately tn the
American horsemen. They wore
: slim-legged trousers with silver
buttons up the sides, and boleros
covered with more silver and EN-.
broidery. Still more silver on the
priceless saddles. Back of n e
saddles were bright serapes. Their
sornbreros were glorified ones, top
ped with braided designs, held on
with cords clamped beneath their
chin.
"They are club, Miss Baker" "
explained Armando, "of the best
riders in the city. These men are
not ordinary ones, senorita. They
are from our best families. Such
riding as they do, you never can
have seen. And look!" His hand
swung through the air. Their
eueen!" Casting her glance after
that quick motion, Mallory saw a
gorgeous girl clad in the same
type China Poblana costume that
Manuelita had worn to the fiesta.
Have to park now" Armando
suddenly decided, and skillfully
slid the convertible into place
not much longer than the machine
itself.
Mallory and Richard Blythe ex-
changed swift smiles as they
climbed out, knowing their driv-
er's decision to stop at that exact
spot was to cape at the charro
queen. They were right.
Armando proved it. I'll wait
here, Miss Baker, until you are
ready to leave" He hurled the
words over his shoulder.
Mallory Baker and her compan-
ion began to walk through tn e
crowd. There were families in ex-
pensive clothes. Families in the
white pajama outfits Of the peon,
which Mallory remembered from
her trip down. Giggling couples
of the lower classes, usually alone.
Giggling couples of the upper
classes, usually chaperoned. Chill
dren, stiff in Sabbath finery, walk
ing beside their parents. Children,
dirty and bad smelling, turning
cartwheels standing on their
heads, doing anything that might
entice a few centavos from the
crowd.
And what a crowd! There were
literally thousands, walking about
the grounds, sitting on park
benches or beneath the giant trees,
picnicking on the grass. They were
in boats on the lake, on the merry
go-round, on the swings and in
the restaurants.
AS the blond girl and Richard
Blythe sauntered along, he said,
"1t's darn nice of the famous NAL
lory Baker to give me all this
time from a busy concert sched-
uled-or are you still putting out
that story that you aren't going
to sing?"
"Of course I'm going to sing
she said. I'm going to sing and
get truckloads of flowers and en-
slave Carlos and defeat Manuelita
with my most dazzling gown. Her
glorious mental preparations STALL
ed. Gown In her hurry to leave
New York, in her determination
not to sing in Mexico, she hadn't
even brought an evening frock,
far less one of the extreme dress
es she wore f or performances.
Land of chill beans and burros.
That was what she had said to
Tod Patrick. The memory made
her feel ridiculous.
II wonder where l could buy a
stunning DRESS" she said to the
man.
Lord, how would 1 know? I
haven't bought any woman's
clothes. But I have an idea. Why
don't you get Manuelita to help
you''
"Oh, yes. Manuelita.' A know
ing smile fitted over Mallory's
deep pink lips. "Just to ease your
pain, Manuelita is as eager to
meet you as you are to meet her.
Nov we're getting somewhere.
Lead me to her"
Il shall. Eventually, that is. if
you make a solemn promise"
Ohio? A catch, huh? All right
l suppose l owe it to an old friend
ike YOU He waved an impatient
hand at the beggar who had been
trailing them. ''Now I gave you
half-peso. That's all you're 90
Ing to get. Go away!" Again he
faced the girl.
There is a man involved" she
commenced. 'His name is Carlos
and I'm pretty much in love with
NM M :. But Manuelita-that is your
9oo," she said bluntly. Take care
mat Manuelita falls in love with
you so I can have Carlos"
So it has come out at last ="
nlythe 1eered in kindly fashion.
gu were going to tell me that
IN Sanborn's but lost your nerve
Isn't that right?"
ohe nodded. Her secret smile
was lar more victorious than the
one on her lips. Well, she exulted