The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1873-04-17
THE GAMBLERS LAST STAKE
A SCENE IN MADRID.

A SCENE IN MADRID.
Inyan inner room Of his counting-house
which occupied wing Of his splendic
mansion In the Gale Alcala, sat Dor
Jose Solano, one of the richest bankers il
Madrid, Illuminating with much self-com
placency upon :he profitable results Of 4
recent speculation. He was interrupted
In his medItations by the entrance of one
OF the clerks ushering in a. stranger, who
brought letter Of introduction from q
banker AZ Mexico, with whom Don Jose
had had occasional transactions The
etter stated that the bearer, the Condo
de Yalleja waa of highly respected
family or 81 .xican nobility, that he was
DESTROYS OF visiting Europe, aAd more IS
pecIalIy the country of his ancestors,
Spain; and it then went on to recon.
mend him III the strongest terms to the
Madrid banker rs one whose intimacy
and friendship could not fail to be sought
after by all who become acquainted with
his many excellent and agreeable qualities.
The appearance of the count seemed to
justify, as far az appearance can do, the
high terms IN which he Was spoken of in
this letter. He was about eight and
twenty years OF age, dark complexioned,
with high. clear forehead, short crisp curl
ing mar. an intelligent and regular coun.
te0ance, and smile OF singular beauty
and fascination His eyes were the only
features which could be pronounced her
wise than extremely pleasing; although
large, black, and lustrouS, they had GER
tain hxity and hardness of expression
that produced an unpleasant Impression
upon the heholder and would, perhaps
have been more disagreeable had not the
mellow tones of the counts voice, and his
suavity and polish Of manner, served in
o great measure to counteract the effect
Of his popularity a.,t..i. LAS
Doing due honor to the strong recon-
incubation of his esteemed CORES pondent
Don jesse welcomed the young Condo
with the utmost hospitality, insisted or
taking possession of him for the whole OIL
tue day, and, without allowing him to re-
tHrn to his hotel, dragged him into til,
house, presented him to his sen ano
daughter, and charged them to use theiI
utmost exertions to entertain their guest
while he himself returned to his occupa
tions till dinner.time. At one O'Clock
the old banker reappeared in the sala
where he found Rafael aud Mariquits
Solano listening with avidity to the
agreeable conversation of the count, wht
In his rich and characteristic Mexican
Spanish, was giving them the most inter
esting details concerning the country he
had recently Left. The magnifcence o
Mexican scenery, the pecOliarities of In,
dian races, the gorgeous vegetation anc
strange animals of the tropics, formed
the subjects of his discourse, not littl,
interesting to young man of three-and
twenty, and a girl of eighteen, who had
never as yet been fifty leagues away from
Madrid Nor had the strangers CONVEX
satiou less charms for the old banker
Vallejo had been at the Havannah; wa
acquainted with scenes if not with scenes
II not with persons, with which were as
soclaGed some of Don Jose's most agree
able "reminiscences: scenes that he had
visited in the days of his youth, when he
had laid the first foundation of his prince
! ~ fortune. To DO Brief the agreeable
manners and conversation of the count q
won npon father, son, and daughter, tina
when at nightfall he rose to take his leave
the banker insisted upon Valleja's takin,
up mis- abode with him during his stay il
Madrid. Vallejo raised many difficultie
on the score of the inconveniencies o.
trouble he might occasion; but they wer
all overruled, and the contest of polite
ness terminated in the counts acccptin,
the hospitality thus cordially presse
upon him. Tue very next day he was
installed i'll splendid apartment in til
house of Don Jose
Several days even weeks, elapsed dur
ing which Vallejo continued to be the ii
mate of the Casa Solano He appeare,
very we'll pleased with his quarters, ap(
on the other hand, his host found no res
son to regret the hospitality shown hin
lie soon became the spoiled child {
the family; Don Jose could not make
meal without Vallejo was there to cha
with him about Havannah; Rafael was til
inseparable companion of his walks, ride
and outdoor diversions; while the bloom
ing Mariquita never seemed so happy
when the handsome Mexican was seate
beside her embroidery frame, conversin
with her in his low soft tones, or singin
to the accompaniment of her guitar som
of the wild melodies of his native coun
try. Indeed, so marked were the count
attentions to the young girl, and so favo
bly, did she receive them, chat more tina
one ofticious or well-meaning friend hin
ed to Don Jose the propriety of institutin
some inquiry into the circumstances an
anteced ents of a man, who it seemed ne
improbable might eventually aspire t
become his son-ln law. But the banker
prepossession in favor Of Vallejo was s
strong that he gave little heed to thel
hints, contenting himself with writing
his correspondent at Mexico, expressin
the pleasure he had had in making tn