The daily gazette., 1877-07-09
A SCENE AT MADRID.
BY PAUL PLUME.


At the southwestern part of Madrid,
where the trees grow thickly and the
habitations have as dark and gloomy
an appearance as their occupants. stood
misunderstanding novel, where lived
Pedro Delgado. Nothing could be i'm
agined more melancholy in the shape
of dwelldlng than this hut. The
door was broken, the window frames
were crumbling to delay, and several
huge cracks in the walls almost en-
abied one to look entirely through the
| building. Tall, dark trees grew around
gave somber aspect to the scene, but
| dro.DeigrdO,e ever since he had deser-
ted from the army, had lived vagabond
Lire in this den, keeping well out of
sight during the bright hours of the
days, and venturing forth only when
the night approached.
He was only twenty seven years old,
and, despite his low origin and un-
tutored mind, he was an extremely
handsome man. How he lived. few
dared to inquire, for he was not fell
low to crafty the inquisitive and there
was something in his manner that gave
one to understand that it was not
prudent to offend him or gain his i'll
will.
The sun had gone down, and as the
twilight deepened and the moon arose
Pedro sailed from his den and walked
with a slow step toward toe centre of
the city. He was certainly bent upon
some important business for he was
dressed in his holiday attire, and more
than once he frightened his red silk
sash that girded his waist, and adjust
ed his pointed sombrero on the side of
his head in iaunty fashion. B IT he
seemed In no hurry, whatever his OBJ
ject might be. Sometimes he hummed
little ditty, and at the others he stop
ped down, and picking up a pebble,
tossed it ahead OF him ia carless man
ner.
In about half an hour he stopped be-
fore rather good-looking dwelling
and scanned it carefully, walking by
it several times in cautious way. AS
if satisfied with his inspection, he put
on bolder air, end gave low whistle.
In faw moments the door was opened
and young girl came out and hasten
ed to meet him. After embracing her
and calling her by endearing names,
|, he began questioning her as to the
absence of the family.
"My darling Isabella" he said, "you
are very sure tnat Don Refugio will
not return soon ?"
every certain" she replied; "they
have gone to the theater, and will not
return until midnight.
"And there is no one.about::the place
but your own sweet self ?" continued
Pedro.
mo one" she replied, laughing,
"the house is in my charge but will
soon be in yours, 1 suppose" and she
laughed merrily once again.
Bravo, my good girl" said her
lover" and now tell me exactly where
you think Don Refugio keeps his
money l must not make such a mis-
take tonight as made last week. Ah!
it came near losing you your lover
Do you know IL it hadn't been for my
nimble legs, now might have been
food for crows"
.'Don'C talk that way, Pedro" re-
piled the girl, with an alarmed voice,
"you frighteh me. Why do you run
such fearful risks?"
every true, why do l? Well, my
pretty one, lisa very easy question to
answer. l want money ,and must steal
it wherever l can, for l can't work, or
rather, don't wish to. as never fancied
labor. Icannot alway select the field
of operations l could wish, and so must
embrace opportunities as they offer.
They do not always prove favorable;
but hope my luck may be better to-
night than il has been of late; 50 let us
go to work. Come be quick"
"FollOw me, and be careful and make
no noise, lest the neighbors may hear
u.s." and she entered the house fol-
lowed by her lover.
No sooner had they disappeared
than a man stepped from behind
door within few feet of where Is
abella aud her lover had been stands
ing, and started away at the top of his
speed.
A couple of hours later, Don ReIugio
Caldez returned to his house in great
haste, accompanied by several of the
city police whose juggling swords
caused the heart of Isabella to throb
with fear as she unbarred the door for
her master.
Without paying any heed to the girls
inquiry as to whether anything un-
usual had occurred Don Refugio
dashed up the stairs followed by his
companions and hurrylng to the spot
where he kept his money exclaimed,
"Behoid i have been robbed"
A small chest in closet had been
broken open, and some papers scatter
ell on the floor met tha gaze of algua.
ellis.
"Well, Don, Refugio," exclaimed
the chief "the case is clear enough for
us to arrest the girl this instant, and
III warrant you we'll soon have her
her accomphce."
"Nay," replied Don Refugio, "she is
the accomplice; the thief Is yetto be
apprehended."
"It's all the same" answered tho
police officer "but we must take her in |
custody.
With tears supplications and pro-
testations of innocence Isabella was |
led away by couple of alguacils,
while the others took the way to the |
hovel of Pedro Delgado.
Itwas unite midnjpht when thew