Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-04-05
NO.. 80.
Tales aud Sketehes.
THE ROSES MISSION.
BY JAMES MARTIN.

AT the close of an April day, in the year
1860, the crowd was pouring from the
Plaza de Toro's in Seville. The arena was
crimson with blood. and the debris of torn
red cloaks, broken lances and darts, attest
ed the fury OF the brutal fray. Fragments
of burnt cigarettes, crushed paper fans, q
lost glove or two, and veil-revealing the
outline of the seat to which it clung--a
mockery of some fair face bereft of its sa-
BILE folds, the only traces of the vast
audience who had witnessed the bull-fight.
A young man had fallen asleep in one of
the upper seats of the amphitheatre.
Many noticed him as they passed out.
Some looked at him askance, deeming him
debauchee. One Senitora thought him
dead, and she breathed an ave Maria for
his souls repose. The girl was dressed iu
mourning, for her father had here met a
tragic death. Among the last to notice our
somnoent friend, was Senior Juan Lotosa,
"a Spaniard of noble birth. Approaching
the spot where the stranger slept, he said TO
the ladies with him, IL think | had better
awake the Senor," and forthwith made his
way to his side. As he was about to touch
his arm, he saw passport protruding from
the sleeper's pocket. He took it and read:
81, the undersigned, Secretary of State of
the United States of America, hereby re.
quest all whom it may conern to permit
safely and freely to pass. Dudley Durand.
citizen of the United States, and in case
of need to give him all lawful aid and pro.
lection" Then came the description:
Age, % years; stature, D feet inches;
forehead, high; eyes, blue; nose, small
mouth, small chin, square hair, brown;
complexion, salow; face, round.n
While her father was reading the pass
port, his daughter Inez stood on tip-toe.
with her hand upon his shoulder. glancing
alternately at the unintelligible document,
and at Dudley wondering if he were
handsome.
Senior Lotosa folded the passport with an
air of contemplation for the words laid
and protection" fingered in his mind. He
consulted the Sonora as to the practicable
ty OF inviting the stranger to the house,
saying, she was an American travelling
alone "You may see" continued Senior,
''hs respectabilty is unquestionabe
The stranger wore the conventional Eng
lish travelling suite his hat beside him. re-
vealed the trade mark OF a we'll known
New York house. His head rested on his
arm, and his hand hung over the back of
the seat; it was small and white.
You are well aware" replied the So
nora, "of the danger of bringing for
eigner TO our house-a person we never
saw before and, looking questioningly
at lnez-"we have but one child and for
her sake oeware.n
Then the adipose Sonora began to fan
herself vigorously.
lnez, who stood half naively, half bash
fully during this deiberation, ventured to
speak.
Papa, we might invite the young Senior
to spend a few days with us, and if he
is agreeable we can have him stay longer"
Her father knew the strict etiquette en-
forced upon parents. but he had observed
the vises on Dudley's passport. His course
had been direct from Paris to Madrid.
Very often adventurers imposed upon hos
pitable Spaniards; but they invariably
came from the sea coast-Cadiz or the
"Rock." The Senor concluded there was
no objection to the Americana, and he
| would wake him at once. Senior Lotosa
passed part of a year in America, was for
| tunate in his companionship and esteemed
Americans highly. 1t was this pleasant
memory which actuated him to extend
Dudley the hospitality of his home.
"Senor Dudley, you must not sleep here.
Come to my house and you shall have
bed He put his hat upon his head, and
kindly took his hand.
The sleeper awoke, and for a moment
regarded the Spanard with startled look.
Composing himself, he said: Il only
reached your city few hours since by dill
igence. and was much wearied by the
journey, not having rested for many hours,
and you must excuse me-
Certainly" replied the Senior, IL re.
gret awakened you, but you must come
with us and make our house your head
quarters"
Dudley was about to decline the invita-
tion, when he saw Inez. His objections
remained unexpressed, and he said, II
thank you very much for your kindness"
Then all four descended to the Plaza.
They drove rapidly homeward. Dudley
sat facing the fascinating Inez, learned she
had attended French school, and studied
English. just as the shadows began to
fall they drew up before the restdencia.
Dudley and Inez fingered in the court.
As he spoke of his journey from America,
lnez toyed playfully with her fan, and her
eyes dilated in wonder at his recital. He
related many startling incidents so as to
enjoy her artless surprise.
IL.
Next morning Dudley raised the heavy
window shades. looked down into the
court and saw Inez tending her flowers.
He descended quickly and she greeted
him with pleasant good morning." A
large variety of flowers flourished here
and delicate vines clung tenderly to the
pillars of the arcade. Inez expatiated up
on her pet plants. She paused before
large rose bush covered with profusion
OF howers-her especial favorite. The
roses were of q deep crimson shade and
delightfully."- odorous. Dudley picked one,
and for the moment seemed undecided
what to do with it. Inez stopped down TO
raise one of the dropping roses. lie
gazed fixedly at towering palm, grow
ing in the court. He turned abruptly to
present the rose to Inez, but she was still
engaged with the bashfu flower. He ad-
vanced a step and stealthily placed the
rose in har hairf Inoz loft hin. aInna