Don Caesar had never before met the Senor Esslinn. He was under
the impression that it was a Senor Robinson that was of the
"Record."

"Oh, HE was shot," said Slinn. "I'm taking his place."

"Bueno! To be shot too? I trust not."

Slinn looked quickly and sharply into Don Caesar's grave face. He
seemed to be incapable of any double meaning. However, as he had
no serious reason for awakening Don Caesar's jealousy, and very
little desire to become an embarrassing third in this conversation,
and possibly a burden to the young lady, he proceeded to take his
leave of her. From a sudden feminine revulsion of sympathy, or
from some unintelligible instinct of diplomacy, Mamie said, as she
extended her hand, "I hope you'll find a home for your family near
here. Mamma wants pa to let our old house. Perhaps it might suit
you, if not too far from your work. You might speak to ma about
it."

"Thank you; I will," responded the young man, pressing her hand
with unaffected cordiality.

Don Caesar watched him until he had disappeared behind the wayside
buckeyes.

"He is a man of family--this one--your countryman?"

It seemed strange to her to have a mere acquaintance spoken of as
"her countryman"--not the first time nor the last time in her