When Riego turned from the inspiring scene it was to see his brother Pascual walking away, and in close conversation with Alonzo Lorente. * * * * * The days passed, but Riego still treasured in his heart his first vision of America. He knew now that the Beautiful One was only a charming señorita and daughter of the big captain who commanded at the American camp. But he liked to think of her as "America"--the beneficent goddess who had smoothed the furrows from his father's brow and crowned his faithful labors with reward. And then, one momentous day, the Beautiful One stood in the shop-door, asking in Spanish if she might be allowed to enter. She was all in white this time--snow-white. To Riego's fond imagination she was still a shining goddess. Riego's father welcomed the señorita and dusted the bench that she might sit and rest, for Riego had told him of the great American festival, and Antonio had learned much besides. The señorita had come to speak to the father about his sons--and her smiling glance included both the sullen Pascual and Riego, who stood worshipfully by. It seemed that the señorita--Miss Flora Arden was her name--was to teach a class of "newly made Americans," and again her glance included the boys. She wanted to teach them to speak the English language and to help them to a better understanding of America. The señorita believed that most of the trouble which the newly made Americans encountered was due to the fact that they did not know how to find and use the good gifts which their new country had to offer. And she was certain that most of the trouble they _gave_ was because they brought old prejudices with them, and so did not open their hearts to America. Riego understood the spirit of her proposal better than he did the words of her correct Spanish. His father listened throughout with thoughtful, grave attention. There were no charges to be made for this teaching? Then what was the señorita to gain for so much effort? "I?" said the señorita--she was standing now, ready to depart--"I gain a better country! My father is a soldier and serves his country by helping to keep the peace along this troubled border. If I had been a son I might have done as much. But I am only a daughter, Antonio! And yet"--and she put her arm over Riego's shoulders as she spoke--"if I help to make loyal even _one_ of America's adopted sons, am not I, too, serving my country?" The father's rare smile assented to her offer, even before his lips made the promise. Riego followed the Beautiful One to the door. Outside, Alonzo Lorente slouched against a lamp-post. The señorita looked into Lorente's face and recoiled slightly. Riego saw the recoil, and an unnamed fear suddenly laid its hand upon his heart. * * * * *