n to assume a more favorable aspect. Even Mrs. Forest had
plucked up enough courage to venture beyond the confines of the
_Posada's_ garden.

Late one afternoon as she with Blanch and Bessie descended the veranda
steps, preparatory to a stroll through the town, a horseman, dressed in
the height of Mexican fashion, shot suddenly round the curve in the road
at full gallop and drew rein before them, tossing the dust raised by his
animal's hoofs into their faces.

Dust and a horse's nose thrust suddenly into Mrs. Forest's face could
hardly improve a temper already strained to the breaking point.

"Are people beasts--mere cattle of the fields to be trampled upon by a
horse?" she gasped, as soon as she had recovered sufficiently from her
surprise.

"A thousand pardons--I did not see you!" replied the horseman, his
English colored with a slight accent.

"What are people's eyes for?" returned Mrs. Forest, making no attempt to
conceal her irritation.

"Mrs. Forest, I see you do not recognize me," answered the horseman,
smiling and raising his broad-brimmed _sombrero_ which partially
concealed his features.

"Don Felipe Ramirez!" cried Blanch and Bessie in the same breath.
"How," exclaimed Blanch, "could you expect us to recognize you in that
costume? Why are you masquerading in such a disguise?" Don Felipe
laughed as he swung himself lightly from the saddle.

"It's the costume of our people," he answered, shaking them cordially by
the hand. "It's the one they prefer, without which one cannot always
command their respect. They detest modern innovations and cling to the
customs of their ancestors. It's a bit of old Mexico, that's all. But
what brings you here?" he asked, changing the topic of conversation.
"Did you drop from the clouds? I would as soon have thought of finding
oranges growing on the cactus as seeing you here."

"Only a pleasure trip combined with a little exploration on our own
account," answered Blanch indifferently. "We hope," she continued, "to
emulate the example of the old Spanish _Conquistadores_--some of your
ancestors perhaps?"

"Then may your wanderings lead you southward. My _hacienda_ lies but
twenty miles from here, and from this moment, it is placed at your
disposition. Not in the polite terms of the proverbial Spanish etiquette
which presents the visitor with everything and yet nothing at all, but
actually. Indeed, I shall expect to see you there soon. The life will
interest you, I know."