ent, deep in her own rosy thoughts. We
passed the entrance to the "Street of Sad Children" and the name and
the mournful magic of the music conjured up Dolores Tristeza for me,
and the thought that I should soon see her again, but only to say
good-by.

Then, quite suddenly and serenely, with no bothering doubts or
"if's," I knew. I knew the thing I am going to do. I'm going to take
her, to have her and keep her always. I'm twenty-eight years old,
sound body and sane mind, with a steadily fattening income; I defy
them to say I'm not the fittest adopter they ever saw. I know she'll
want to come with me, and I know I couldn't leave Mexico heart-whole
without her. Just as I arrived at this satisfying conclusion I
glanced up; we were passing a little _pulqueria_ whose
name--painted gorgeously--was "The Orphan's Tear!" Wasn't that
fitting?

I can't wait to see her and tell her!

JANE.

_The Afternoon._

SALLY DEAREST,

We are just home from the wedding and I wish you could see Lupe's
dewy-eyed joy. I ache with tenderness for her. I know now why mothers
always weep at weddings--I very nearly did myself, and I know I shall
in ten years or so, when I see my Dolores Tristeza, standing like
that, star-eyed, quivering-lipped.

When she slips away in the dusk to-night I shall put a period to my
thought of Maria de Guadalupe Rosalia Merced Castello. I want to keep
this fragrant memory of her.

"Yet, ah, that spring should vanish with the rose!
That youth's sweet-scented manuscript should close!"

I refuse to fancy my pussy-willow girl, my pearl maiden, in ten
years, with a mustache and no corsets and eight weak-coffee-colored
babies! _Adios, Lupe mia!_ Go with God!

Everything is in readiness. The dear old Budders, trembling with
excitement, will be waiting at the train. As for me--as for my own
little affair--I'm pushing that away, until my _novios_ are safe.
I'm pushing away that moment on the balcony, when we hear the train
whistle. Sally, I don't _know_! This lovely, lazy, ardent land works
moon magic on staid professional women!

Mistily,

JANE.

_Guadalajara,
Two Days Later._

SALLY DEAREST,

It was mean to make you wait for the next thrilling installment of my
Mexican best-seller, but this is the first moment when I've t