Evening Star Newspaper, July 14, 1935, Page 86

S Magazine Section Pedro was captivated, but she would I'HIS WEEK not flirt with him, so he assumed NLY a short distance from the cemetery, nestled in the hillside, were ruins of what once, long ago, had been a beautiful chapel. Here and there some of the stone walls were still standing, and against the highest of these was built a crude cabin. This was the home of Carlos, ‘‘The Singing Peddler of Guanajuato.” He was not shiftless; but why build four walls when there was a good, strong one already there? Most of the time, Carlos was on the road. True. his packtrain consisted of only a single burro; however, he was very young, and making more and more friends on every journey, so his business would soon grow. Once he had gone clear to Guadalajara to replenish his pack, and after the first visit, he had returned again and again, drawn by a pair of dark, laughing eyes. One day he came back to his little hut, singing even more gaily than ever before, because on his burro rode Dolores, who had run away with him against the wishes of her family. The girl was delighted with her new home, for she saw it only through the eyes of love. So when Carlos almost exhausted his small store of savings to make it more com- fortable, she remonstrated. *‘Please spend no more, amado. Rather set it aside so we can be married the sooner.” ‘*As you wish, nina. However, I'm sure | can earn enough before a year's past.” To Carlos it was a matter of little impor- tance, for marriage was very expensive, a luxury that few of the very poor could afford the role of best friend to the family Bride of the Singing Peddler 7% by FRANK RoLaND CONKLIN & - — yet none thought the worse of them. But Dolores wished to be wed, so her lover agreed. The best friend that Carlos had in the near-by city was Pedro, who worked in the mines. He was a handsome fellow, in a sulky sort of way; lazy vet shrewd, and one who made superficial friendships easily — when he wished to exert himself. Carlos brought him along and proudly introduced Dolores. Indeed. he had reason for pride, for she was not only very beautiful, but accomplished as well. She could read and write a little, and was extremely clever in designing pottery. Pedro was captivated, and putting forth his best efforts, tried to flirt with her. He soon found she would have none of him; so he shrugged his shoulders and assumed the role of the best friend of the family. Nevertheless, after Carlos had left on his first trip, Pedro called again on Dolores, offering to be her consolation in her lover's absence; but she only laughed and sent him away. Every journey that Carlos made. his busi- ness prospered a little more: and each return to Dolores brought greater happiness than the one before. Then, after a longer stay than usual, when Carlos had presented his cus- tomary little gift, and the first thrill of their meeting had subsided. she whispered to him that a new joy was coming into their lives. Carlos was delighted, and from then on, taking it for granted the newcomer would be a boy. spoke of him as Carlitos — his ‘‘Little Carlos."”’ “I'd like it very much,” Dolores said, eagerly, as she started preparing the evening meal, 'if we could be married before the baby is born."”’ “I'm afraid that will be quernida.”’ Dolores did not answer, but her lips were no longer smiling as she poked the embers of her tiny fire with unwonted violence. “Caramba!" cried Carlos. coughing and wiping his eyes, ‘‘what makes it smoke so?" ““The back stone is a hand's breadth too low. That very green one, in the wall behind you, would fit nicely: but I cannot move it." “Very well — I'll get it for you." and with much grunting and puffing, Carlos loosened the block in the old chapel wall. “It's not heavy — it was held by a bit of cement. Now where —'' He stopped short, staring into the hole he had just made. Then he reached in and pulled out a small cross, of a dark golden color, studded with bright, sparkling stones. For 2 moment they gazed at their find in silent amazement. Then Dolores spoke. “It must have been buried there by the chapel priests. We can return it to the church.” Carlos looked up sharply. “Why so? It's been lying here for a hundred years or more; the real owners are long since dead. We found it, so it belongs to us." “Will that be right?"' “Of course. Just think what it will mean. We can be married at once and move to Mexico City, where we can live in luxury, and bring Carlitos up to be a fine caballero.” These arguments were of a kind to remove impossible, July 14, 1935 Hlustrations by Jules Gotlieb 3 . W N all the scruples of Dolores, so she agreed with her lover that they should keep the cross. After removing the gems, they melted the gold, so it would have no betraying shape. Then Carlos took all the jewels but one, and - put themin a little leather bag, like a tobacco pouch. This he tossed into the cavity left by the green stone, then pushed it back in place. With the single gem and the little bar of gold. he departed for Leon. because he did not dare show them in Guanajuato. Dolores was greatly amazed when Carlos returned and gleefully poured a little heap of gold coins into her lap. ““And it was the smallest jewel of all,”” he exulted, “so the rest of them must be worth thousands of pesos — we're rich!" Dolores, now completely won over, was delighted; and they immediately began prep- arations for their marriage. After the ceremony all of their friends were invited to a great wedding feast, and soon the little plateau on which the ruined chapel stood was thronged with merrymakers, dancing to the lively music of a three-piece orchestra. Gayest of the crowd were Carlos and Pedro, for they had been celebrating all day long by drinking the finest tequila to be found in the city. As night came on, the festivities continued in the moonlight, and grew ever more boisterous. Pedro led Carlos to the other side of the ruins, out of sight and hearing of the rest, and for the tenth time that day marveled at his sudden display of afluence. As he had done each time before, Carlos only closed