"It will soon be, when George arrives," Dona Josefa said.

"That will be time enough for my work," said Mercedes, looking from her book down the valley, towards the Darrell house, as if casually observing from under the awning the green meadows below.

"What made you come here? The back veranda is entirely shaded, and much cooler. I have been waiting for you there. Pshaw!" said Victoriano, coming forward and stretching open a hammock to throw himself into it.

"Had we known that, we would all have rushed there," said Corina Holman.

"In a perfect stampede," added Rosario.

"I thought you had gone with your father," Dona Josefa said.

"No, he said he might stay to lunch at aunt's. It is too hot a day to be riding about in the sun."

"Certainly, after having been in the moon for two months the change of temperature might hurt you," said Amelia Holman.

"That's a fact; I have been in the moon ever since _you_ came," assented Victoriano.

"Your moon stays in the valley, it doesn't rise to this level," said Amelia.

"It is a lovely moon wherever it may shine. I say, Baby, won't you go with me to the Darrells this evening?" asked he, addressing Mercedes, who had made no reply, for the reason that she had just seen Clarence coming on horseback, and, as usual, when any one spoke of him, or she unexpectedly saw him, she found it necessary to take a little time, in order to steady her voice, which otherwise might betray her heart's tumult.

"Mercedes' French novel must be very interesting," Carlota said.

"It is not a novel-it is French History," said Madam Halier.

"Mercedes, Tano wants you to escort him this evening," said Rosario.

"Will you take him?"

"Where?" Mercedes asked, without moving.

"To the moon," said Corina.

"She means to the third heaven," rejoined Victoriano.

"I declare, the God of Love is truly miraculous. I think it could even poetize the Pittikin girls, or the Hughes, in Tano's opinion," said Carlota.

"Talk of the angels, and you hear the clatter of their hoofs," said Rosario; "there he is at the gate."

"This awning is too low-we don't see people until they are upon us,"

said Carlota.

"I am off. I suppose he will stay to lunch, that will give me all I want of his charming society," said Rosario, rising to go as Clarence dismounted at the gate.

"Stay, he has seen us all; it would be discourteous to leave now," said Dona Josefa, and Rosario remained.

Victoriano jumped out of the hammock to meet Clarence.

"Hallo, yourself and welcome! Any news?"

"Yes, _big_ news," Clarence replied, blushing crimson,-not at the news he brought, as one might have supposed,-but because he had just seen two little feet, in a tiny pair of slippers, with blue rosettes, which he well knew. These little blue rosettes had set his heart to beating, sending more than the normal amount of blood to his head.

On leaving her hammock to take a chair Mercedes had shown those tantalizing tip ends of her slippers, half hidden in a mass of lace ruffles. That was all, and yet poor Clarence was disconcerted, and became more and more so, on perceiving that there were not less than nine ladies on that veranda; nine pairs of eyes which had undoubtedly observed his own, devouring the blue rosettes.

"What is the news, pray? Don't kill us with suspense," pleaded Miss Corina Holman.

"The news is that Colonel Scott has arrived at San Francisco, and will be in San Diego next week."

"Hurrah," shouted Victoriano, "now we'll all be rich."

"How do you make that out?" Rosario asked.

"Never mind how, we'll not go into particulars."

"No, better not," Rosario advised.

"Papa will be so glad to hear this news," said Mercedes, "and Mr.

Holman, also. He'll come down now, will he not?"

"Yes, father will come down with Col. Scott, and may be build us a house right away," said Amelia.

"There is papa now; I am so glad," Mercedes exclaimed.

"I must run with the news to him," said Victoriano, rushing madly through the hall, to the _patio_, or court, where Don Mariano had just dismounted.

The news was so gladdening to Don Mariano, that he came immediately to propose to the young ladies to have a dance that evening.

"But where are the gentlemen? There are plenty of ladies, but unless you invite squatters"-Rosario began, but Dona Josefa stopped her with a look.

"Let us see," said Don Mariano, counting on his fingers, "there are three or four Darrells, and six or eight Alamares, if my brothers and half of my nephews come. That ought to be enough, I think."

"Plenty. I'll send a vaquero to aunt's to call the boys, and you bring your brothers and sisters, Clarence," said Victoriano.

"With pleasure," was Clarence's reply.

"There will surely be some fellows from town this evening, and we'll make them stay," added Victoriano.

The dance took place and was followed by many others. The Alamar family were very hospitable, and had many visitors, who were only too glad to spend their evenings, dancing with charming and refined young ladies, whose society was certainly most attractive.

There were several young gentlemen from the Eastern States stopping at the principal hotel in San Diego, and they came to Alamar almost daily, to have a dance, or picnic, or musicale, or a card party.

These gayeties were not confined to the Alamar and Mechlin and Darrell families, nor was the Alamar rancho only made happy because Tom Scott was coming. The entire county of San Diego was buoyed up with hopes of prosperity, which now seemed founded upon a solid basis.

As for the town of San Diego itself, the dwarfed and stunted little city, she went crazy with joy. Her joy, however, was not of the boisterous, uproarious kind, it was of a mild character, which smiles at everybody, and takes all that comes in good part, ready always to join in the laugh on herself, provided everybody enjoys it. She was happy, seeing a broad vista of coming prosperity in the near future. Why not?

She had every reason and every right to expect that the Texas Pacific would be built.

At last, Col. Scott arrived, and drove to the principal hotel, where a deputation of the most prominent citizens immediately waited on him to pay their respects, and learn his wishes as to how his time should be occupied during his stay in San Diego. The city desired to honor the distinguished guest with liberal hospitality, but the business of the railroad was the main point in view. There were speeches to be made at "Armory Hall," with meetings and consultations to be had at nights, besides drives to examine the town site and surrounding country during the day. The ladies wished to give him a ball, but the business men said Tom Scott did not come to dance, he came to work. There was a banquet given to him, but no ladies were present, only men, and plenty of railroad speeches. The ladies could only meet him at private receptions in the evening, when he was tired out with driving. Yet, this was the best that could be done, as his time was limited. But he was amiable, the ladies were amiable, and the gentlemen were amiable. So the little city of San Diego gave all she had to give; all the lands that had belonged to the old "San Diego & Gila R. R. Co.," all that had been transferred to "The Memphis & El Paso R. R. Co.," all the town lands, water front and rights of way that could by any means be obtained, all was most generously proffered, adding more lands than those originally given to the road under the old names of "The San Diego & Gila Railroad"

or "The Memphis & El Paso Railroad."

Col. Scott left well satisfied with the people of San Diego, and the people were charmed with Col. Scott. Speculation then ran wild. Town lots were bought and sold at fancy prices, but in the madness of the hour folly seemed wisdom.