Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-05-16

guitar in his hands, which he touched
skillfully, while he sang with voice
whose richness was not entirely suppress
sed by the mask he wore. the words of
Spanish ditty. When he ceased, he ap'
preached the senorita Melendez. and
| said
" Manuela, do you know me 2"
"I know you not. senor.
Can you not guess 2"
.It flashes on my mind" said the Sc
| norita. f" that you are Sebastian Nevarro.'
Wrong r. replied the stranger, with
lieht laugh. "Try again."
I'll will be sure, this time" said the
gay girl. and she sprang from her seal
and snatched at his mask. Tha stranger
defended himself, and as he was much
taller than his assailant, baf1ed her efforts
completely. =,
Traverse, yaugbipg spysDg to her aid,
and had already seized the Strangers
mask. when shrek uttered simultane-
ousIy BY the two ladies, arrested his
hand. He turned away in astonishment
Manuela, pale as death, sank into chair.
and covering her face with her hands,
sobbed convulsively.
" What the devil have L done now %
asked Traverse of his friend.
Don't you know" replied Walters.
' that it is deadly insult to lay your
hand on mask 2" A woman has privi-
leges, but a man, none. 1t is like pulling
an Oriental by the beard. You've got
yourself into precious scrape."
" You'll stand by me. Will %
"Ye-es," replied Walters with some
hesitation.
At this juncture, the stranger approach
ed Traverse, and said in a low deliberate
voice
"You desired to see my face. Behold
it, then |" He raised his mask.
Captain Antonia Alvarez ]" exclaim-
ed Traverse.
1.-The same, sir. at your service" re-
Piled the captain. 1t appears you know
me. May i ask you to favor me. in re-
turn. by disclosing your face | am ve-
ry anxious to know to whom l shall pay
my respects for the honor you did me
just now in presence of three ladies. Re-
move your mask, if you please"
Not here. captain, but you shall soon
learn who am. never concealed my
self from friend nor foe. l will send you
my card, and then you will know whom
to address your cartel to-for presume
you consider yourself affronted."
81 am to be found at my quarters in
the cavalry barracks. whittier am going
directly. Until we meet again, sir, fare
we'll"
The stranger offered his hand first to
Traverse, and then to his friend. Then,
with low bow. and an u los pies de'usta> :
des, senoritas. he passed out of the room
with stately step.
Each Of his comrades exhibited the
same stately courtesy. and the two Amer
leans we're left alone with the ladies. Man
uela threw herself into the arms OF Trav>
erse and wept upon his shoulder.
Oh !" she exclaimed. 4" wish that l
were dead. 1 have brought this on you
by thoughtless act-and he will kill
you as he done many others. And what
will your poor madre do when she hears
that her brave son has fallen in a quarrel
like this ?"
An embrace and tears from you. Sc
norita. are cheaply purchased by life it
selfr replied Traverse with highaown
gaIlantry. But dry your bright eyes
or prepare to shed your tears for the Ian
cero-for the choice OF weapons lies with
me. and he is at my mercy"
"Deuced lucky. too /" muttered Wal
ters. :" II it had been otherwise he would
have spi,ted you like lark. But what's
to be done, now -
"To the captains quarters" replied
Traverse. Adieu. ladies'"
Good fortune go with you. gallant
cabaltero!" cried the girls, together.
Traverse. putting his arm in that Of his
friend, strolled away in the direction Of
the barracks.
"Why the deuce did you not mind
your own business ?" grumbled Walters.
{" It's confounded tickIish thing to med>
die with a mans mask, and you ought to
have known it,
How should !"
Ignorance is no excuse is the eyes oi
custom, any more than in the eyes of the
law. But you're in for it, now. What
do you propose to do 2"
Send him my card"
He'll fight. of course" !"
"I should suppose his profession will
force him to it,
Very well-you name pistols. You
can't think of killing him %
"Do look like ruffian. Walters ?''
every well. then. You FIRE in the air.
He's dissatisfied. demands another shot,
you grant it, and very likely the fellow
will hit you. No. no! you must wing
him at the first shot. Touch him in the
arm"
And perhaps cause him the loss of q
limb / can't think of that"
Then all have to say is, that it's q
very bad scrape. What if you apologize 90
Apologize !" cried Traverse. No
no the blood of the Old Dominion viii
.,>t all..,- -. .LG.....