Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-20

practised. But Pepita was honest and
Virtuous, and told her sutton that she was
already betrothed 20 Pedro, fellow
townsman II hers. aud artisan, who was
striving and saving all he could 70 enaoie
them 10 marry and have home. men
Pedro came that night and fingered Out
side the bars % talE 10 his sweetheart ne
found her, for the first time, In tears ana,
ON pressing her 10 tell the cause ol her
trouble she poured out the "hoie STORY
Poor Pedro could only eXhort her 10 DC
faithful and reject the wicked advances
Again and again came the Marquis 10
press his suit. offered TO buy of Pedro,
ANYTHING at all that money could DO M
order % carry out bis wishes. But Pepita
was inhexlble, and al length, seeing that
be could not induce her 10 ily with him, ne
determined to carry the girl on.
Under cover OF dark night he and bis
band Of braves came down into Havana,
succeeded in gaining possession of the
girl. and bore her away TO The mouse VI
Nillah0res.
When Pedro heard the news he was in
despair. He knew the power against
which he bad TO contend. he distrusted
the police: but he mad heard Of the ne"
Captain General. and went straight with
his story 10 Iac0n.
Tacon heard il through, babe him be OF
good heart and say nothing, and that he
would see both himself and his betrothed
righted. Tacon desired, above all things,
that the Marquis should not escape. Ac-
cordingly there was no display of force
and no noise made.
A few davs later some w0rkmen ap-
peared at the gate Of the FIllaf0res es-
tate to ask for work. They were taken TO
the superintepdenta ana examined. Others
struggled after them, not at all an unusual
thing, for IL was the busy season when
outer help was employed. When a lalr
number had gathered in the grounds q
sudden rush was made tor the door Of the
fortress; all the exits were guarded, ana
the guardia civil, IN the guise OF work
men, revealed themselves, armed TO the
teeth. The Marquis was captured in the
very act OF rushing out 10 see what the
disturbance was. Pepta was found with
in, a Gagged dove. Both were taken 10
Havana and brought before the Captain
General.
Pepita told her story.
you have heard what the girl SAYS"
said Tscon, turning TO Nillaliores, us her
statement trueW
so far as my part in it goes, yes"
You carried her Off, them"
yes"
Why"
Because ! love her, and could win her
in M other way
You love her and could win her in no
other way. You wish to marry the girl,
then =
There was silence in the room.
Il ask" said TacOn, impresslvely, do
you wish TO make this lady your wife2
There was visible struggle in the soul
Of the Marquis. Then suddenly: yes, l
do"
Tacon bowed his head, and, summoniug
guard, said Bring me priest
The face OF the Marquis heightened, and
be pleaded Tor short time for prepaI0-
uOn.
you are a widower, are you notf'
asked the Captain General.
Yes
"Ihen no further preparation 10 needed,
since you want to marry the lady
The priest was brought, and the mar
rage ceremony was performed there and
then. Pepita became the Marquesa
de VillahOres. Capt. Gen. Iacon con-
graduated her on her newly-acquired
rank and fortune, and offered her lehos-
pItallty of the palace for a few days. The
Marquis, he said might return TO his es-
tate to make fitting preparations for the
reception of his bride.ylHe was escorted
on the way thither by the same band Of
the civil guard that had brought him
in prisoner. The Cuban roads are lonely,
and on the way out, it is said, the Mar
quis assaulted "A member of the guard
and endeaVOred TO break from them He
was shot down. Little incidents Of this
kind often happen to obnoxious or dan-
gerOus persons in Cuba. A few days
after the Marchioness OF VilladOres, who
succeeded 10 all the wealth and estates OF
her late childless husband, was married
TO Pedro, the artisan, who was raised 10
dignity corresponding to his new posi-
ton.
This is one instance Of Tacon's method
Of somewhat cruel Justice. II WAS in this
way that he tanned the Cubans. He it
was who drew the hard and fast line be-
tween Creoles and Peninsulars, az the ma
tive Spaniards are called, denying to Gre
oles any important share in their own
government, ana thus paving way for
future revolt. Yet his regime is sighed
for to-day because, according to his lights,
he was lust and incOTruDtihle