wed. Lupe and I stroll back alone,
halting to take a cup of chocolate with cinnamon in the _dulceria_;
dine sedately with Tio Diego. Then I, reminding him that I am about
to return to the States with my relatives, take farewell of him,
thanking him (feeling a good deal of the viper that bites the hand
that feeds it) for his hospitality. Lupe and I then repair to her
rooms for a last chat. Presently Emilio and the C.E. arrive beneath
the balcony. I emerge, join the C.E., and go briskly with him
through the dusk to the street car and thence to the station where
the Budders are waiting and leave for Silao on the nine-o'clock
train.

Only, as the intelligent reader will have gathered, it will be Lupe
who melts into the distance in my frock and cloak, with my thickest
chiffon veil over her face, and Emilio who strides at her side in the
C.E.'s suit and overcoat and hat and the big, dark goggles he's been
diligently wearing lately, and a scarf about his neck against the
menace of the night air, while the C.E. in actuality, in _caballero_
costume, gazes adoringly up at me on Lupe's _Juliet_ balcony! Rather
neat, what?

We hold the pose, the C.E. and I, until we hear the heartening
whistle of the train, when he slips away to change his clothes and I,
escorted by old Cristina, go back to the hotel and follow the Budders
to Guadalajara in the morning. I don't see how it can possibly fail.

Emilio's family owns large _ranchos_ up in Durango, where the
elopers will be quite safe in a mountain fastness, and they will
arrive there by craft, not buying through tickets, doubling now and
then.

This is much more fun than eloping myself!

Excitedly,

JANE.

P.S. Speaking of which, the C.E. thinks it high time his case came up
for hearing, and I've promised to give it serious consideration as
soon as E. and L. are on their train. He had a quaint idea that the
old priest might as well make it a double wedding!

_The Next Night._

Only think, Sally dear, this time to-morrow night it will all be
accomplished! I've never been so thrilled in all my days.

And there's another reason for it beside my pussy willow maid's
romance! (No, not that! Not yet, at any rate!) It was this evening,
early, when she and I were walking, and they were playing _La
Golondrina_. Lupe was sil