Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-01-08
A MEXICAN STORY.
Her First Love Lettor. and How II
Was Answered.

not held themselves alOof from inter-
course with foreigners, the gradual In
iluence 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
omante dc UeHtand 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, tho
hope OF his existence; but with these
abstract delights ho must rest contcntcd.
Toward n favored swain II tiny hand
may be extended between the bars. "A
ribbon or other loye-token entrusted;
but tho barred window Is always be-
tween them, and the dHeHa always
within earshot
While was in Cuba was fortunate
enough TO form the acquaintance Of n
lady Of noble Mexican family, who had
been settled in the island for many years.
She must have boon 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 skim still preserved It's smoothncss
and her eyes sparkled with tho vivaoity
Of youth. She WAS one Of the most charm
Ing takers have met One evening,
In conversation with her, alluded TO the
passage in the 'Barbicre, where Don
i3artolo examines his niece's fingers 10
SEQ II she has been writing to Almavive.
'SurelJ f." 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 moments
pause, II will tell you Of case In
point, WHICH shows that, whom ] was y
girl, such extreme vigilance was by no
means uncommon. ! was educated
with my sisters at q convent npar Mex
leo. | was the youngest, and when
was fifteen | returned to my fathers
house, My sisters had married, and
,cd I . ysrv hannv iife. whatever wished
sor aas NO, nina ~ once. and was oarsIui
not TO give inference 10 unreasonable
desires. In the morning | sat In tho
house or walked with my dueiia; in the
Nov as,arnoon wo drove NV father riding
y" ,ho s,ds ~ the carriaoe. Four
nnlv wara ,len;ed mo, non ink
noncil @ nansr RI, had NO one To write
- and + d;d mot feol Tho restriotlon n
Lnrd ono ;ndeed Inever Thought n,noh
ahont n So Won see senior. that vour
non R"r,olo u moi snch nm hxaogerated
oh"rac,er. n ] for NV father's views were
hu, ,,,osa - h;s countrvmen ~
~ ..Rnt toIl mo senors \, said I. "did
,ho ,i,ne never come when Won found
,he.o ros,,;c,;ons bnrdensomepn
y "You sbaIl hear Z" she said. "that L.
10 ,o,, core IN listcn IN the love story oi
a. IA or % ,rnn,on lilo n,vself WAS sested
ono n,orr;ng M the window when I no,
Hre ,iced vo,,ng cavalier come riding nm
,be strest Ha WINS sunrblv dressed
and ,,,oun,ed. ha wore n broad d-brimmed
somhrerc trimmed with silver lace. his
large hIack ridino cloak was lined with
scan,iat and his heavy silver snurs lin.
olcd os he rods I t6oucbt never in
55v iife Ind seen so handsome n cavalier.
ue saw % me- sittino at ihe window and
iookod az fxedlv et ma that ,I,ew tbq
cur,sin In nv embarrassment Hemnsi
Soro ,urnsd Ills horse at tho head ~ ,be
street for while / was still trembling
will excitement he came ridinc nasI
again and this time az he nassed he
,eot off bis sombrero and bowed
SCARCELY silent that NIGHT Next morn.
inT accomnanlod nv duena to mass n,
s' ihse catbedraI As wa left the church.
raised nm nv ewes and saw the cavalier
who had bowed TO me the day before
standing At the entrance. Senior. need
moi iolI you that had never had any ex.
nersnce In affairs Of the heart: / was
fresh from the convent. and had scarcely
.notan to anv man except nv confesso,
spd INV father; hut / felt instinctiyely
,ha, ihIs handsome gentleman had come
,bsre 10 600 me- As we nassed / fell hi,
hand touch mine and n lille note wa,
nIaced between NV fingers
"When we returned 10 the bouse.