Part 8 (1/2)
Nan missed her when the crowd got out of the car in Adminster. This was a larger town than Freeling, and it was on the main railroad line instead of a branch line, as Freeling was. But at that, Adminster was not very metropolitan.
However, the stores fronting on the main street were rather attractive shops. Bess and Grace, with Nan herself, had some things to buy in the department store which was the town's chief emporium, and they separated for a while from the rest of the party.
But when the trio entered the Mexican shop, which was on a side street, there was the whole party of their schoolmates under Miss March's charge.
Some of the girls had already made purchases, and all were excited over certain finds they had made in the stock. Like all such stores that are established for a few months only, and move from town to town, there was much trash exhibited together with some really worth while merchandise from the Southwest.
Not all of the girls knew how to select the good from the trashy merchandise. There were a man, a woman, and a young girl who waited on the customers, all dressed in Mexican costumes; they were too wise to interfere much with the selections of the customers in any department.
The young girl came forward to meet Nan and her companions, courteously offering her services in showing any goods they might wish to look at Nan shrewdly suspected the man and woman to be Jews; but this girl, with her large, black eyes, raven hair, and flas.h.i.+ng white teeth, was undoubtedly a Mexican. She was very pretty.
”I can show what dhe yoong ladies want--yes?” she inquired with a most disarming smile.
”Oh, we want to look about, first of all,” cried Bess. ”Look at all those blankets, Nan! What bully things to throw over our couch!”
”And that lovely spread!” cried Grace.
They went from one lot of goods to another.
The Mexican girl, smiling and quite enjoying their comments, strolled after them. Nan turned to ask her a question regarding a beaded cloth that was evidently meant for a table-scarf. And at the moment Rhoda Hammond entered the shop.
The saleswoman was nearest and she turned to welcome the Western girl. But Nan saw that the girl who was waiting on her started as though to approach the newcomer. Then she stopped, and under her breath hissed an exclamation that must have been in Spanish.
The girl's eyes blazed, her black brows drew together, and she gave every indication of an excitement that was originated by anger. It could be nothing else!
Rhoda Hammond was perfectly unconscious of either the Mexican girl's attention, or her emotion. With the saleswoman who had come to wait on her the girl from Rose Ranch was discussing the price of a piece of pottery which had attracted her notice.
Suddenly the Mexican girl turned to see Nan Sherwood staring at her in wonder. She flushed darkly and was at first inclined to turn away. Then her excitement overpowered her natural caution. She seized Nan by the wrist with a pressure of her fingers that actually hurt.
”You know all dhese yoong ladies--yes?” she demanded. ”Dhey all coom wit' you? Huh?”
”Why, yes. We all come from the same school,” admitted the astonished Nan.
”You know dhat girl?” asked the Mexican, pointing quickly at Rhoda.
”Yes.”
”She do go to school wit' you all--yes? Her name?” demanded the other.
”Why--”
”Eet ees Ham-mon'--no?” hissed the strangely acting girl. ”Senorita Ham-mon'?”
”Her name is Hammond. Yes. Rhoda Hammond,” admitted Nan, scarcely knowing whether it was right to tell the girl this fact or not.
”Ah, eet ees so! Senorita Ham-mon', of dhe Ranchio Rose. Huh?”
”Why--why--” gasped Nan. ”Yes, her home is at Rose Ranch. That is what she calls it.”
”Ah!” hissed the Mexican girl, her eyes still glittering angrily.