The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-26
MIR. HARDY'S NEW NOVEL.
Cuttings from "But Yet Woman"
A Day in Spain.

Cuttings from "But Yet Woman"
Day in Spain.
1t will be many a year before Renee for
gets this her first ride in one of the last
strongholds of picturesque Europe How
many illusions journey dispels, in this
century. before whose wire and rails and
press variety gives way to uniformity; which
mas universal solvent for all the picturesque
remnants of older civilizations, and which
pushes persistently and relentlessly into the
past all those figures and images which once
delighted us-the fiuted cap and gold plate
of the Friesland peasant the conical hats
and bright hues of the cantonal costumes
the spurs, leggings and sheepskin of the
herdsman.
To Renee especially, it was land of en-
chantment. That numbering old vehicle
with its faded colors and dusty coat; its
leathern baggage cover, pulled down like a
cap over the eyes; with its halfdozen pairs of
mules, whose trappings were covered with
innumerable little tufts of red wool and silk
interspersed with bells-was the very coach
of Cinderella; the driver coming out from
the stone arehway of the stables, with his
peaked and tasseled hat, broad red sash and
broidered jacket, was the prince of the
opera.
As they climbed the OUTLYING hills, not
single shaft OF palm or bristling leaf of aloe
escaped her eye Upfrom the fertile valleys,
amid the green, fiat foliage of the cactus,
twisted end misshapen, into the defle OF the
ashen and desolate mountains, she seemed
about to enter the land of Dore.
Despite the predictions of Antonio, she at
last fell asleep with her head on Stephanie's
shoulder; 1t was long after the night had let
loose its leash of stars.
When, with mellow note upon the horn,
this vehicle drew up, after midnight, at re-
lay station, where supper might be had and,
on its stoppage all the noise attendant upon
its motion-creakings, groanings, and tink-
ling of bellS-ceased also, it was as if the
world had been arrested in its flight. When
one goes to sleep TO motion that is positive
ly internal in its ingenuity, sudden peace is
a nightmare. The ladies did not alight, but
Antonio brought them some white bread,
with creamy cheese of goats milk, burnt al
monds fresh from the fire. muscatels from
Malaga, and pomegranates. from Granada.
Although the diligence ride had been ia
tiguing they we're both ready to listen to the
proposition of Antonio, seconded by the al
lurements of moonlight night, to cross the
dark forest of oaks to the Tore de la Yela
For long two hours they sat on the top of
this old Moorish watch tower which stands
on the crest of the hill of the Alhambra and
almost throws its shadow on the city below
Decked with thousand lights, this city gilt
tered like a fairy one at their feet family to
their ears came the tinkle of mule bells and
the twang of guitars from the gypsy caves of
the Darro; fresh from their sources in the
snowy SierraS the twin rivers, mingled in the
Vega beyond, ran till, silver thread they
were lost to.view among its rich and level
gardens. Behind them, in the yellow light
of the moon, slept the Alhanlbra and palace
of Charles V; over the gorge of Los Molinos,
the white walls of the Generalife shone in
their dark setting of orchards; and round
about this Paradise stood the mountains,
girdle of safety. What might not these silent
witnesses tell of what they had seen on this
plain, once the battlefield of two faiths How
might they not recall the time when the
Gins which are now its chief attraction were
mosque and palace and bridge, thronged
with life; when this capital Wed with the
opulent cities of Italy; when its waters flowed
through a thousand irrigating channels;
when the Arabian was the teacher of Eu-
rope? Who can wander now over that plain,
still a garden basking in the same
soft climate, but from whieh the
bloom of its once varied husbandry
is gone, or look upon that decimated city On
which has fallen the lethargy of idleness and
poverty, without a vain regret for the SPLEEN
dor and prosperity of the Mohammedan rule?
Rome, as head of the church and capital of
the State, still possesses elements of great
ness, and in presence of the Forum or Coli
scum, the dominant feeling is one of solem-
nifty and awe; but in Granada there is room
only for sadness What sounds float UP
from this summer palace of the Moor of
cymbals that reverberate In its domes, and
of fountains that plash in its open courts
Listen, Renee! you will hear the stately tread
of silver-bearded men; Linderaxas is sing
ing in the gardens of the GeneralIfe-Zara
dallies with her earrings at the welI-and,
over all, voice crying. Allah is great,
there is no conoueror but God"