The Portland daily press., 1873-09-27
milling. I watched her With surprise;


ness, the coquetry of manner of those beauti
full felines.
Her appearance troubled me little; but
suddenly may attention was distracted by the
sight OF two magnificent flowers OF the aceot
tiger flower
"You find my flo Eers beautiful?' she said,
following the direction of my glance.
"As rare as beautiful; they refuse 10 grow
in conservatories, and are only found in tropi-
cal forests; they are rare, even there"
Here the primd donna seized one of the
flowers, ''Y III think that they are rare even
here ?" she said, presenting them to me.
Here above all, Sonora; they are foun ]
near Atlisco, distance Of twelve leagues
from here"
While was explaining the botanical char
acter Of the plant, the young lady nipped off
one of the flowers and placed it in her cor
sage. She drew near the balcony and looked
towards Istaccihuatl. Suddenly l ceased
speaking.
''What is the matter, doctor?''
''Upon my honor-I should swear-I should
affirm" ......
'''What?'
'.That the cavalier who passes as an honest
ranchero is none 9th r han Master Acotl.
The young lady laughed, striking me in the
face with the flower, which broke, and said
good night.
Returning to my room, Twas ready for bed,
when the most magnificent voice ever heard
commenced song, | went to sleep think
ing that Perez, II he was in Paradise-as we
who knew bis life could not doubt, would be
happy TO enjoy every day such concerts.
CHAPTER vi.
Three weeks after my departure from ORR
zaba, discouraged, feverish, l saw arise before
mo no nf bA pit nf
which advanced as rapidly as the pace of
the mule, put at rcy disposal by the nephew
OF Perez, would allow. l bent under the
weight of an indefnabe feeling of bitterness,
| was little sick-my entail distress was
more intenseyet, than my physical. l had
suffered a cruel deception, and my future
seemed desolate. The home of the nephew
of Perez, situated two J, lies journey from
Puebla, in the heart OF the mountains, which
shadow the horizon of the City of the An
gels''-pas ses for one of the most pictur-
esque points of Mexico. l had long consider
ed it a forlorn spot-but frankly confess my
error.
The cure of Otitlan was a man of an honest
and flank nature, and hosptable to all his
compatriots. His generosity imposed some
duties on me; and during the two days we
passed side by side on cur road to his ,resby-
terry, called into play all my amiab.lity.
We arrived at night fall in sight of the vii
lage. Twenty Indians, armed with pitch
pine torches, saluted my companion with az
tificial fire works, which, frightening my
horse with their detonations, came near caus-
ing my DEATH fe.l, fortunately, upon my
back and escaped with a slight bruise. Ar
rived at the presbytery, matron offered to
cover me with plasters; | asked, as my only
remedy, to see Gomara.
nat xxrtll In To unII Talno
said the cure, taking both my hands. Spa
thence, doctor, the book is yours-entirely
yours-let this assurance suffice. There are,
between You and my poor uncle, strong
points of resemblance; as soon as the volume
is i'll your possession, you will shut yourself
up to read 1t, forgetting to eat or drink, max
ing me lose the pleasure of your conversation.
which shall not do
protested-I offered. under oath not to
open the book, only to read the title-but to
pack it away but it was al in vain.
The next day my bruises kelt me in bed
until 10 O CLOCK. but hearty breakfast re-
stored me. l must then visit a cascade, some
sick people, a farm, a church. would have
visited the inf rnal regions even. to please my
host. But the moderation with which he
fulfilled his promise imposed upon me suffer-
ing, the most cruel that have ever felt in my
life; l cannotrecall it without pain.
The evening ca ne; at the hour of dining
the cure ordered flask OF amontillado. He,
himself. uncorking the earthern bottle of gen.
erous wine, filled the glasses; then made a
sign to a sacristan, who went out.
A harp, two mandolins and a flute soon re-
sounded. A young Indian, IN the national
costume, placed before me large volume,
wrapped in an embroidered napkin. The
glasses were emptied, l embraced the Indian,
threw handful OF piastres to the musicians,
clasped the two ha DIS of my host, while the
tears moistentd my eyes. Trembling, lifted
the napkin; had no need to open the book
to reco ,nize it; it was the edition of Gomara
of Anobefs-well known upon the old and
new continent!
l remained a long time silent, sinking I
had a stroke OF apoplexy. Little by little the
frightiul spasm which stifed me passed away
and | expla ned to my host my sad disap-
poiutment; b 1t he could not comprehend me.
| wished for Gomara, be had procured one
for me, and was astonished to see my con-
sternation. Despite his solicitations left the
next day; was in haste to return to Puebla,
to commence again the search. was veXed
at my Lreduliy. How could have believed,
for single Instant, that Perez, man OF
sense, would have bestowed upon his nephew
book % rare? l was fOol-a blockhead
The sun disappeared; the wind lifted
around me clouds of dust; l journeyed over
a barren soil, frightened here and there by
tufts of starry thlstles. I was going to turn
into a cross road when galop echoed be-
hind me.
turned my head carelestly and stopped my
mule suddenly. A young lady dressed in a
costume hcl European, half Mexican, has
tened towards me.
"Do you seek your Gomara in this plain,
doctor?' said to me the harmonious voice oil
Tomasi, refining in her fiery animal as she
approached.
YES" answered sadly.
'sYou are ill?'' she asked, regarding me
with interest.
81 am overcome with fatigue; but how
dare you expose yourself on this route, and
risk tempting these thieves with your dia
mond ornaments?'
81 am learning to conquer my horse" she
replied gaily.
L was recounting to her the deception o
my jo' rney-when toe clock of the old cath
edral at Puebla sounded the ADgelus.
''Au revoir!' said Tomas, 81 sing thi.
evening, and l am iate." She struck hel
herse-he jumped. i attempted to follow
her, but the mule of the cure, instead o.
moving quicker under, the strokes OF my rid
i"g whip, laid back his ears and attempted to
lie down. l allowed him to take his owl
Ilule' Inc sun ul>appeafeC, ana IL was ial
into the night when stretched myself upon
the hard mattress on che iron bedstead of the
hotel at Puebla.
During eight days searched the four quar-
tiers of the city; going from house to house
searching the libraries; passing through all the
alterations Of hope; descending all the de
grees Of disappointment. The persons to
whom the licentiate had given his books wer,
very willing TO show them to me; but mus
question, explain, describe; no one un Ter
stood anything when l spoke OF Gomara
MILAN, Saragossa, 1862.
One evening when l entered the hotel,
little later than my custom, tired out. think
ing to leave for Mexico at once-s;nce hlt
exhausted the list Of the friends OF Perez il
the city-Tomasi, perceiving me from he
from her balcony. called to me.
You VIII wither away, Doctor" she said
taking both my hands. "Have you then tina
untor innate book always on your mind?'
always" l answered sadly.l
"Lookl Do not think any more of il; di
vert your III nd; await fortune, instead @
seeking her. She comes sometimes while W
sleep. Do you not know that?"
Fortune, yes-books-no, never"