The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-11-13
A MEXICAN STORY.
Her First Love Letter. and How It
Was Answered.

Was Answered.
In those Cuban families which have
not held themselves aloof from inter-
course with foreigners, the gradual in
fluence of modern ideas has done much
to soften the rigor of the old system,
which debarred the maidenS of Span
ish family from intercourse with the
opposite sex; but in many families the
old regime is still maintained, and the
dnaa,ate de Ueatana is still common
sight in Havana. He may pour forth to
his mistress, sitting within the window,
his most impassioned vows; she is the
star of his life, the light of his soul, the
hope of his existence; but with these
abstract delights he must rest cOntented.
Toward a favored swain tiny hand
may be extended between the bars, a
ribbon or other love-tOken entrusted;
but the barred window is always be-
tween them, and the duesa always
within earshot.
While was in Cuba l was fortunate
enough to form the acquaintance of a
lady of noble Mexican family, who had
been settled in the island for many years.
She must have been between sixty and
seventy; but except that her hair was
snow white and her form somewhat
bent, she showed little sign of age, while
her skin still preserved its smOothness
and her eyes sparkled with the vivacity
of youth. She was one of the most charm
ing takers l have met. One evening,
In conversation with her, alluded to the
passage in the 'Barbiere,' where Don
Bartolo examines his niece's fingers to
see if she has been writing to Almavive.
'.Surely," said, lit is out of the nature
of things to suppose Don Bartolo would
exercise so strict watch upon his ward"
Dona Juana smiled.
'.Well, she said, after a moments
pause, Il will tell you of a case in
point, which shows that, when l was a
girl, such extreme vigilance was by no
means uncommon. l was educated
with my sisters at a convent near Mex
leo. l was the youngestssand when l
was fifteen | returned to my fathers
house. My sisters had married. and I
was alone with my father and dueno. I
led a very happy life; whatever wished
for was mine at once; and was careful
not to give utterance to unreasonable
desires. In the morning l sat in the
house or walked with my ds1ena; in the
afternoon we drove. my father riding
by the side of the carriage. Four
things only were denied me: pen, ink,
pencil. paper. But 1 had no ooe to write
to, and did not feel the restriction a
hard one, indeed. Inever thought much
about it. So you see, senior, that YOUR
Don Bartolo is not such an exaggerated
character; for my fathers views were
but those of his countrymen.
but tell me, senora," said /, did
the time never come when you found
these restrictions burdensome?"
You shall hear" she said; ''that is,
If you care to listen to the love story of
an old woman like myself. 1 was seated
one morning at the window, when l no.
ticed a young cavalier come riding up
the street. He was supurbly dressed
and mounted; he wore q broad brimmed
sombrero, trimmed with silver lace; his
large black riding cloak was lined with
scarlet, and his heavy silver spurs jim
gled as he rode. l thought I never in
my life had seen SO handsome . cavalier.
He saw me sitting at the window, and
looked so fixedly at me that drew the
curtain in my embarrassment. He must
have turned his horse at the head of the
street, for while l was still trembling
with excitement, he came riding past
again, and this time as he passed he
took off his sombrero and bowed. l
scarcely slept that night. Next morn
ing, accompanied my dHesa to mass at
the cathedral. As we left the church,
raised up my eyes and saw the cavalier
who had bowed to me the day before
standing ct the entrance. Senior, Ineed
not tell you that had never had any ex-
perience In affairs of the heart; was
fresh from the convent, and had scarcely
spoken to any man except my confessor
and my father; but | felt instinctively
that this handsome gentleman had come
there to see me. As we passed felt his
hand touch mine, and little note was
placed between my fingers.
when we returned to the house, l
msnaged, not without difficulty. to open
and read my letter alone. 1t is fifty
years since received it, aEd have It
still-my first love letter. Can you en-
ter into the feelings of q Mexican girl
when she is told for the first time that
h,r eyes are bri ghter than the stars,
more tender than the gazelle's, and that
her heart surely can not be colder than
her smile? But will not weary YOU
with the repetition of my precious little
letter every line of which I still know
by heart l read and re-read it, and
then sat down to consider how was to
answer it. :"
There your difficulty must have been
insurmounfable.
Truly it did at first seem 90. Writ
mig materials 1 had none. Conide in
sny duena dared not. She was . rela-
tive Of my fathers, stern and sevgs.