paper, the other drawn on
plain white foolscap. Of course Miguel took the more modern one
with lover-like gallantry. "It is this is genuine!" Victor laughed
triumphantly; Carmen echoed the laugh melodiously in child-like glee,
and added, with a slight toss of her piquant head, "It is mine!" The
best of the sex will not refuse a just and overdue compliment from
even the man they dislike. It's the principle they're after, not the
sentiment.

But Victor was not satisfied with this proof of his niece's skill. "Say
to her," he demanded of Miguel, "what name thou likest, and it shall be
done before thee here." Miguel was not so much in love but he perceived
the drift of Victor's suggestion, and remarked that the rubric of
Governor Micheltorena was exceedingly complicated and difficult. "She
shall do it!" responded Victor, with decision.

From a file of old departmental papers the Governor's signature and that
involved rubric, which must have cost his late Excellency many youthful
days of anxiety, was produced and laid before Carmen.

Carmen took her pen in her hand, looked at the brownish-looking
document, and then at the virgin whiteness of the foolscap before her.
"But," she said, pouting prettily, "I should have to first paint this
white paper brown. And it will absorb the ink more quickly than that.
When I painted the San Antonio of the Mission San Gabriel for Father
Acolti, I had to put the decay in with my oils and brushes before the
good Padre would accept it."

The two scamps looked at each other. It was their supreme moment. "I
think I have," said Victor, with assumed carelessness, "I think I have
some of the old Custom-House paper." He produced from the secretary a
sheet of brown paper with a stamp. "Try it on that."

Carmen smiled with childish delight, tried it, and produced a marvel!
"It is as magic," said Miguel, feigning to cross himself.

Victor's role was more serious. He affected to be deeply touched, took
the paper, folded it, and placed it in his breast. "I shall make a good
fool of Don Jose Castro," he said; "he will declare it is the Governor's
own signature, for he was his friend; but have a care, Carmen! that you
spoil it not by the opening of your red lips. When he is fooled, I
will tell him of this marvel,--this niece of mine, and he shall buy her
pictures. Eh, little one?" and he gave her the avuncular caress, i. e.,
a pat of the hand on either cheek, and a kiss. Miguel envied him, but
cupid