The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1888-11-29
AT OLD ESTEBAN'S.

A man in the neighborhood of La
Gata said:
THAT old Englishman better keep
away from old Esteban's. Thought
I'd have little fun down there onct
myself Was awful sweet on the DON
ma Margarita"- ta"-furthermore ventured
this frank individual-"butI ] drawed
outen the game soon as | seen what
was in that Miguers eye.''
Mr.. Jack Johns, the Englishman,
did not keep away from Esteban's,
nor had he any idea of doing so TIL
letter came from his stately mother
across the sea. which bore the tidings
of his fathers death, and bade him
come home from his wanderings TO
fill the station in life that betitted an
heir to old English demesnes.
Then, as he rode along to pay his
adieux to his Mexican friends. Mr..
Johns thoughts were disquieted within
him. Consciousness of certain senti-
mentalities between himself and Mar
garita made him a little uneasy as to
how he should say goodbye.
''Duce take it." he thought, ''what
is man to do when a woman makes
eyes at him, but pay up in the same
coin? All, have itl'' he happily con-
cluded. ''Quite a good plan, too. I
will take them en- tamiUe, the old Don
the lady herself, that jealous cousin
Miguel, the cook and two little slaveys.
When | exit with that rabble at my
heels there will be no need, really, to
say anything specially tender to any
body; just cordial handshake and
adiOs all round. Vivar'
Being of light hearted tempera-
ment, Mr.. Johns did not long trouble
himself about impossibilities. He
galloped along the mountain road,
pausing a moment at the top of a
dome-shaped hill to take in the view of
tumbling stream that sparkled in the
sunset and the white-washed walls of
Esteban f. ,cho glaring amid persim-
mon bushes and dark cedars down in
the valley below.
A shrill barking mob of pelon dogs
saluted Mr.. Johns The cousin Mig
uel was at the front of The house sup
erintending the breaking of a vicious
mustang.
II will freeze on to him. thought
Jack Johns in local vernacular.
poor fellow! I'll make up to him
for the times I've stood in his way.
He's my trump card now really, for
she daren't make me say anything
foolish with his hawks eyes upon u.s."
Icily-polte Miguel took Mr.. Johns
in hand conducted him to a room
whose doors and windows were Dense
ly shaded by vines of calabazaS. Out
of the gloom and GOODNESS up rose a
small coquettish tigure-A argarita Es-
teban-with a glow on her features and
a little soft hand outheld.
1t is possible Mr.. Jack Johns had
never analyzed carefully that small
face Certainly, with her magnii-
Gently wicked black eyes lighting up
the cheeks warm pallor, and their
half-laughing, half -plaintive regard
upturned to the tall young English
man. he had never found fault with
this dusky beauty. The lines of her
mouth might be sinister. the sweep of
her jaw cruel like that of a tiger
striped eats: he had seen nothing of
this
Perhaps it was the early mountain
air, more likely the stirring daily
work he had in prompting lazy postores
and supervising vast herds of contrary
sheep. that had kept Mr.. Johns from
making an utter fool of himself.
Standing there on the eve of departure,
with new plans and interests throng-
ing his mind. he wondered that he
could ever have been of late on the
brink of a dangerous infatuation.
My friend, what have youP' asked
Margarita in the sweetest voice.
at is the sadness in your face, SO?
yeSn'
He told his news At that part
which spoke of leave-taking and an
immediate journey across the ocean,
Margarita's heart gave one fierce throb.
then sank-sank-and her lips closed
in a thin suffering line. But she
screamed for Juana.
For why did the little fool delay?
Laggard. imbecile! make to come the
coffee quickly! Don Juan have great
grief, perishes, too, for food and drink
from his long ride And she scolded
shrilly first one of the little servants
and then the other.
OF the whereabouts on this globe of
England; whether it lay on the earth
or in the air above, or in the waters
under the earth: Donna Margarita