Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-08-21

lmost touched the horizon-the breeze
has sprung up--we shall be in time
Ito pay our respects to the ladies on
the Paseo.'
/ The gay party lighted their cigars
mounted their little AndaIusian horses
and cantered toward the city at an
easy pace.
It was holiday time in Havana
and Traverse and his friend, both
masked, were chatting With a couple
of lovely senoritas on whom they
were making az evening call, when a
group of maskers entered the room.
One of them held a guitar in his
hands, which he touched skillfully,
while he sang with a voice whose
richness was not entirely suppressed
by the mask he wore, the words of
ia Spanish ditty. When be ceased, he
approached the senorita Melendez,
and said: ,a,
'Manuela, do you know me?''
Il know you not, senor.'
Can you not guess?'
1T flashes on my mind, said the
senorita, 'fhat you are Sebastian Ne
varro.
sWrong!' replied the stranger, with
alight laugh. Try again.
81 will be sure this time said the
gay girl, and she sprang from her
seat and snatched at his mask. The
stranger defended himself, and as he
was much taller than his assailant,
baffled her efforts completely.
Traverse, laughing, sprang to her
aid, and had almost rudely seized
the strangers mask, when a Shrek
simultaneously by the two ladies
arrested his hand. He turned away
in astonishment. Manuela, pale as
death, sank into her chair, and COW
ering her face with her hands sobbed
convulsively. ss.
sWhat the devil have / done now?'
asked Traverse of his friend.
Don't you know, replied Walters:
that it is a deadly insult to lay your
hands upon a mask2 A woman has
privileges, but a man none. 1t is
like pulling an Oriental by the beard.
You've got yourself into a precious
scrape.' %
you'll stand by me, Will
tYe-es,' replied Walters, with some
hesitation. 49,,
AT this juneture, the. stranger ap-
preached Traverse, and said in low,
deliberate voice; ~
You desired to see my face. Be-
hold it thenr He raised his mask.
captain Antonio Alvarez?' exclaim-
cu lIdftISt. Il 3 ,f,f-f.-sf
The same, siI. at your SERVICE re-
piled the captain. 1T appears you
know me. May I ask you to favor
me, in return, by disclosing your face?
l am very anxious to know to whom
/ shall pay my respects for the honor
you did me just now in the presence
of these ladies! Remove your mask,
if you please aa'a e ~
sNot here, captain, but you shall
soon learn who am. ] never con-
cealed myself from friend or foe. I
will send you my card, and then you
will know to whom to address your
cartel-for I presume you consider
yourself affronted.'
II am to be found at my quarters
in the cavalry barracks, whittier I am
going directly. Until we meet again,
sir, farewell. bae @ rs 81
The stranger offered his hand first
to Traverse, then to'his friend. Then
with low bow, and an a Jos pies de-
'sstades, seno,1itas, he passed out Of
the room with a stately step.
Each Of his comrades exhibited the
same stately courtesy, and the two
Americans were left alone with the la
dies. Manuela threw herself into the
arms Of Traverse, and wept upon his
shoulder. Sgsgez ~ 80 - sis
sOh!' she exclaimed, 4 wish that /
we're dead. j have brought this on
you by a thoughtless act-and he will
killyou as be has done SO many 9TH
fers. And what viii your poor moth
Ter do when she hears that her brave
son has fallen in quarrel like this?'
sAn embrace and tears from you,
senorita, are cheaply purchased by life
litself?' replied Traverse, with high.
flown gaIlsntry. But dry your bright
eycs-or prepare. to shed your tears
lfor the lancero- for, the choice Of
lweapons lies With me and he is al