Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-07-31
pEnREssrNG A GIRLS WRONGS.

About two or three hours ride out from
Havana was the magnificent estate Of the
MARQUIS of Villafores. He was young
widower of enormous wealth, and famed as
a man of pleasure. He was as daring and
INSCRIPTIONS as ever was bandit knight
of the middle ages. His house was VERT.
able castle, and among his slave retainers
he had organized band of bravos to pro.
tect him from assault and aid him in carry
ing off his prey by main force when softer
means were unavailing. 1t was while Tacon
was carrying out his reforms with will and
hand of iron that the gay Marquis, passing
through Havana one day, cast his eyes on
a blooming Andalusian face bent over her
work at the open bars of window In one
of the poorer str eets. He stopped his vo-
lante, and insolently gazed his till, until the
beautiful dark eyes were raised in startled
The frightened gaze, the mantling blush,
and the hasty disappearance OF the graceful
girl did the work. The Marquis had dis
covered new flower in his garden. 1t was
easy for him to force himself upon the poor
girl, and urge his peculiar suit with an art
in which he was we'll practiced. But Pepita
that she was already betrothed to Pedro,
fellow townsman of hers, an artisan, who
was striving and saving all he could to en-
able them to marry and have a home.
When Pedro came that night and fingered
outside the bars to talk to his sweetheart he
found her, for the first time, in tears, and,
on pressing her to tell the cause Of her
trouble, she poured out the whole story.
Poor Pedro could only exhort her to be
faithful and reject the wicked advances.
Again and again came the Marquis to press
his suit, offering to buy of Pedro, anything
at all that money could do in order to carry
out his wishes. But Pepita was inflexibe,
and, at length, seeing that he could not in
duce her to fly with him, he determined to
carry the girl off, Under cover of a dark
night he and his band of braves came down
into Havana, succeeded ia gaining posses
sion of the girl, and bore her away to the
home of Villafores When Pedro heard the
news he was in despair. He knew the power
against which he had to contend; be dis
trusted the police; but he had heard Of the
new Captain General, and went straight with
his story to Tacon. Tacon heard it through,
bade 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.
Accordingly there was no display of force
and no noise made. A few days later some
workmen appeared at the gates of the Villa
flores estate to ask for work. They were
taken to the superintendent and examined.
Others struggled after them, not at all an
unusual thing, for it was the busy season
when outer help was employed. When
fair number had gathered i'll the grounds Il
sudden rush was made for the door of the
fortress all the exits were guarded, and the
Guardia Civil, in the guise of workmen, re-
vealed themselves, armed to the teeth. The
Marquis was captured in the very act of
rushing out to see what the disturbance was.
Pepita was found within, Gagged dove
| Both were taken to Havana and brought be-
fore the Captain .Pepita told her
story. "You have heard what the girl says"
said Tacon, turning to Villafores, us her
statement true?" $50 tar as my part in it
goes, yes." ''You carried her of, then ?"
"Yes." "Why9" Because love her, and
could win her in no other way" "4ou love
her and could win in no other way. You
wish to marry the girl, then9" There was
silence in the room. II ask" said Tacon
impressively, "do you wish to make this lady
your wife ?" There was visible struggle
in the soul of the Marquis. Then suddenly:
| "Yes, do" Tacon moved his hand, and
summoning guard, said: "Bring me a
priest" The face of the Marquis lengthen-
ed and he pleaded for short time for prep
aration. "You are widower, are you not?"
asked the Captain General. Eyes" "Then
| no further preparation is needed, since you
want to marry the lady" The priest was
brought and the marriage ceremony was
performed there and then. Pepita became
the Marquesa de Villafores. Captain Gen
eral Tacon congratulated her on here newly
acquired rank and fortune and offered her
the hospitality of the palace for few days.
The Marquis, he said, might return to his
estate to make fitting preparations for the
reception of his bride. He was escorted on
the way thither by the same band of the
Civil Guard that had brought him i'll pris-
oner. The Cuban roads are lonely, and on
the way out, it was said, the Marquis as
saulted member of the guard and endeav-
ored to break from them. He was shot
down. Little accidents of this kind often
happen to obnoxious or dangerous persons
in Cuba. A few days after the Marchoiness
of Villafores, who succeeded to all the
wealth and estates of her late childless hus-
band, was married to Pedro, the artisan,
who was raised to dignity corresponding
to his new position.-Hauana cor. ~. Y. Sun.
! 0FETcE ALEXANDRIA GAS WORKS,