The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-01-05

y,
and look elsewhere for rainmaker"
Yes, but such an avaricious trollop
as she is would exhaust the treasures of
Pactolus," rejoined Salano.
Let me advise you in the premises"
returned Don Alamada. " Drop La
Bonita at once and forever. Have the
satisfaction of letting the town know
that you have voluntarily shaken her,
rather than the modification of permit
ting her to boast that she had discarded
you, and thereby become target for the
gibes and pasquinades of the wits of the
university"
"Ah, Diosl would that could do 500
exclaimed Salano with feeling. 81 will
confess to you, my friend, that | am des-
perately enamored of this girl, heartless
though | know her to be. My heart is
SO entangled in the witchery of her
charms that / cannot break the spell
even if | would, and the thought of
yielding her to another drives me almost
to distraction"
"ls she so very inordinate in her de-
mands?'
"Aye, she is as extravagant as Cleo
patra."
"Well, | cannot see wherein YOU are
less sensible than Marc Antony, for Cleo
patra was already dipping her fingers in
the rough box of forty when she capti-
waited the sturdy Roman" laughed Don
Alamaua
"The more l lavish on her the more
her cupidity desires" continued Salano,
" and this is the manner she attacks me.
In shop on the Gale de Los Santos is
diamond set ring of much value which
she covets for new years gift, and
have not the means at present to pur-
chase, since my father constantly up
braids me with my extravaganza. She
writes me to-day that certain wealthy
merchant has rendered the ring, and
wishes to be informed by me whether or
not she will accept the gift. The gist of
the matter is this: l must give her the
ring or she will accept the merchants
BRIDE"
81 see," responded Don Alamada,
your lnamorata is like nothing so much
as hungry mosquito. Having once
tasted your blood she will buzz around
you until she has drank her fill. Of
course you will purchase the ring" he
continued, in tone between commiser-
alton and a sheer.
she must have the ring at any cost"
replied young Salano, desperately, "and
| have scarcely pistole in my possession.
She has ruined me; still cannot-nay,
will not-give her up"
Yes, yes, amigo milo, give me the
ring by all means, but where will you
procure the dtnerO money to pay for il?
Inc sum of twenty thousand Valencian
reals cannot be found under every citron
tree" said Alamada.
" Harkee, FRIEND" uttered Salano in
low tone, " have scheme by which
hope to realize enough to buy bauble
Tor my mistress, as well as rid myself
from the rascally Israelites whose debtor
| am. Ere times you and | have been
necessltated to resort to shifts of ques-
tlonable honesty when our affairs have
been desperate, and | trust you will not
fail me now"
Don Alamada laughed, for it seemed
ridiculous to hear his effeminate compan-
ion talk so bravely, but without needing
him Salano continued:
Meet me flush at eleven o'clock to-
night in the Plaza de Barca, and [ will
then disclose my scheme more fully.
Come to the rendezvous well armed,
however, and provide yourself with
domino
After few moments of further con-
Versatlon on commonplace topics, the
two friends arose and left the casa de
pstblico.
Some adventure of a desperate charac-
ter was undoubtedly on foot. What
crimes may not desperate man commit
when fully resolved on deeds of violence?
Aye, and what deeds of darkness may not
lovely woman commit when urged by
greed, Jealousy, or revenge?
1t was night, and eleven o'clock was
Peailng from the ponderous bell of the
Cathedral del Esprito Santo, which
stands fast by the Plaza de Barca, named
according to local tradition after Amili-
car, the father of the Roman General
Hannibal, by whom Barcelona was re-
founded. The city was ancientlv called
Barclco. The waves of vibrant sounds
had not ceased Ginning over the silent
city when Salano and Don Alamada met
at their tryst IN the now deserted plaza
The Inquire OF each was muffied in a cloak,
and each wore broad brimmed sombrero
well drawn over the face, and they
moved as noiseless as shadows, and when
either spoke it was in tones so low and
guarded as to be almost indistinct.
Salano was talking to Don Alamada in
a whisper, and from an occasional impa-
uent gesture, it appeared as though he
did not fully iDdorse Salano' programme.
Finally they glided noiselessly away into
the darkness and gloom of the city.
Salano led his companion through the
narrow and sinuous streets forming the
old Or northwest division, cautiously
cropping IN the shadows and picking his
way through the often ill-paved alleys
ana courts, until he reached house of
considerable dimensions, and of the
Clnque-Cento style of architecture. This
edlhce was the residence of one of the
wealthlest bankers in the city.
Salano seemed perfectly familiar with
the neighborhood, for he halted before
small postern in the wall. and drawing
key from his pocket he opened it, and
the twain entered.
" You see, Alamada," uttered Salano
in whisper, that am master of the
situation. The bankers daughter has a
maid IN her employ named Faca, and 1
have been under the necessity of making
love to the girl for some time past in
order to get at her masters tesoro, and
as Faca is far from being old or ill-look-
ing, it has proven anything but dis
agreeable task"
Where is your dulcinea now?" in
quired Don Alamada, with suppressed
laugh.