The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-18
TIE STRANGE BEAUTY:
OR,
Haunted by a Dwarf:
CHAPTER I.

Night was coming down upon the city of Havana
country road on my good horse, Nox was" was wen 'aa
armed with sword and revoyers, and also carried a
lask OF brandy, which my adopted oncle, Don
Miguel, had given me for any emergency which
might arise on my perllous Journey. And very
periious journey 1t was The country was In state
quest, to The further end Of the Island. to bring to
him his niece, who was then living on plantation
had never seen this young woman for whom
was now taking this dangerous trip. And now for
the first time, as rode along through the seductive
soitness OF this tropical night. wondered what the
g,rl, for whom rode was like.
IF | could feel the utter devotion l have read
about" l thought, II could give my life gladly;
but"
Nox swerved suddenly aside. Ing;ysun G put
my hana to my pstoe syai5se a' head sn' 'o
Fis more miles. and knew 1t was time to begin
70 watch for surprise from some outlying post OF the
rebels or, perhaps some stray sharpshooter would
fire at me nom the dark shade OF rock or tree.
How strangely fortune favored me in that part of
my travels once only did shot come singing to-
ward me- as l. RODE down the narrow path between
Two hills That was &C.. on the second day. BY
borders or huge and sadly neglected coffoe
plantation. Everything was deserted. 1t was
evident that even theTild marauders thought they
had deyasted completely here. The house stood dis
manted OF shutters and piazza; the trees near It
the Island, had been cut down. The last rays OF the
sun steamed over the place as came in sight Of 1t
a turn III the approach
0No one can be here's said to myself 81 have
come Tor nothing. she must have left long ago.
Even as spoke, In the splendid farewell glow OF
the 0ccident IN the rich light that beautined every
thing, saw figure Of a woman walk from an ar
Dor few RODS at the right OF the house-walk
slowly, her mead turned from me as she looked at
the sunset Tall she was and larger than the slen-
der northern women had seen so much OF late
years; but 1.-THE her movements were, as those of
leopard aud Win more or grace than words or
mine can tell
Involuntary caused Nox to stop, and there
sat looking at her. She paused when she came
within the shade cast by the house. she turned
her head toward me, aud then rode on and dis.
over the neck Of Nox knowing na WoaS saua
and advanced toward the lady where she stood
IL am come from Don Miguel de Avleez: but
am uncertain whether this can be the place OF my
Destination"
speaking pure Spanish while / had spoken the
island Spanish.
'Don Miguel sent you for his riecep' she asked
ayes. VIII you conduct me TO lerY''
She smiled and extended her hand.
ii suppose must be speaking TO Armand ver-
schoye. present him 10 Don Miguefs niece, Boa
dicea.n
had not hoped for that. My pulses bounded as
thought that this was the girl conlded to ny care
And felt, strangely for me. kind Of dlldence. l
took the hand, while Irepied:-
u don't know why did not imagine you were
the lady. How long have you been III this lonely
90 = nearly three weeks since the family left I
have waited patiently, put resolved to try my ior.
shGddered as / thought OF her alone in the roads
infested by so many reckless men.
Good Cod y exclaimed; "you are not abso
lately alonel The servants"
''rhey al ran on a week ago, when there was al
alarm OF an attack.
''And you have been here alone since them,
she smiled at my alarmed face, and continued
80 might as wei be alone as 10 be surrounded by
a sci Of servants whom had TO sooihe at every I'M
usual sound see that one or them has done me Il
favor lie succeeded ia reaching Don Miguel, or
you would not be here.'i
IgEn afafv of 81,
noie hy only regret Is that you nave suffered so.u
These words sound SO commonplace when re-
corded. uttered them then, with eyes fixed upon
the woman who heard tnem VITA a new emotion
beating It's nrsl throos In my heart
10y voice had hardly ceased when she suddenly
moved nearer me- ana put her hand on my arm.
Whlspefing:-
"hush Look at your horse Something il the
IDatterr
/ followed the glance OF her eyes and saw That
NoN who nad moment before been standing witn
dIooDlnr, tired head now had neck erected ana Was
looking about with olatcd eyes, while he snuf,ed
the ar suspiciously.
The girl drew me into the house She opcuel wide
the door, and said, as we stood Within
''Ledd your horse ia here. The stables are burned
u they were not your horse would probably be stolen
thcrc.n
4 she spoke rapidly and In a low tone. | had seen
OF heard nothing, and did not believe there was
need for alarm. But did as the babe. NoX stepped
gTavey and carefully within the door, and swung
II back and Boadicca locked aud boted II. she mo-
toned Inc to follow with my horse. AS we aD-
horse neigh lowly. looked at my companion in
surprises but she did not speak, and the next minute
We aiood III the room, hooded with the after glow
rom the departed sun. In corner stood snow
white mare, whose delicate head was extended
toward "a, as II wondering nc the Intrusion.
~ could not have endured the loss Of my marcr
said Boadcea; "aBd when | was left alone | took
her into tie house WIN nc. II was on her back that
should have attempted alone the journey We shall
now Try iogether.u
1ogc.ner Twas foolish enough to be grateful ana
giil Oh that careless phrase.
haa opened my lips 10 reply, when, upon the still
warm air came the sound OF a song, caanted Justify
b. chorus OF rough voices.
We looked AZ each other. In that first moment
was conscious ci but one ieeling-that Of eXulaton
that mad Tins woman to protect.
perhaps they are soldiers said
"icS but they arc soldiers OF the island, ana IN ey
hate every span ard--and with reason.r
lacked ABOUT tAs room. yhe wooden shutters