The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-12-06
AT OLD ESTEBAN'S.

A man In the nelghborhood OF La
Gata said:
"That old Englishman better keep
away from old Esteban's. Thought
I'd have a little fun down there onet
myself. Was awful sweet on the Dom
ma Margarita" ta"-furthermorc ventured
this frank individual-"butI 1 drawed
outen the game soon as l 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 till a
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
ill the station in life that befitted 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 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
coinp All, have itr' he happily con-
cluded. ''Quite a good plan, too.
will take them en- taniiIie. the old Doa
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 IA cordial handshake and
adios all round. Viva!"
Being of light hearted tcmpera-
ment, Mr.. Johns did not long trouble
himself about impossibilities. He
galloped along the mountain road,
pausing moment at the top of q
dome-shaped hill to take in the view Of
a tumbling stream that sparkled in the
sunset and the white-washed walls Of
Esteban Rancho glhring amid persini-
mon bushes and dark cedars down in
the valley below.
A shrill barking mob of peion dogs
saluted Mr.. Johns. The cousin Mig
uel was at the front of ':he house sup
erintending the breaking of a vicious
mustang.
II will freeze on to him." thought
Jack Johns lin 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 us. "
+, Icily-polite Miguel took Mr.. Johns
in hand conducted him to room
whose doors and windows were dense
Iy. shaded by vines of edlG6dSGs. Out
of the gloom md GOODNESS up rose 8
small coquettish tigure-Margarita Es-
teban-with' a gloWon her features and
a little soft hand outheld. .f
1t is possible Mr.. Jack Johns had
never analyzed carefully that small
face. Certainly, with her magniti-
Gently wicked black eyes lighting up
fhe cheeks warm pallor, and their
haifzlaughing.x half -plaintive regard
upturned to thestall 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 cats: he had seen nothing OF
this. a7,~. =
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 ht
could ever have been of late ON the
brink of a dangerous infatuation.
my friend, what have yeu?' asked
Margarita in the sweetest voice.
at is the sadness in your face, sol
yes!"
He told his news. At that par
which spoke of leave-taking and ar
immediate journey across the ocean
Margarita's sheartgaHeone fierce throb
| then sank-slnk-and her lips closet
in a thin suffering line. But sh'
screamed for Juana
ssFor why did the little fool delay
Laggard, imbecile! make to come thu
coffee quickly! Don Juan have grea
grief. perishes, too, for food and drinl
from his long ride" And she scolde'
shrilly first one of the little servant
and then the other.
OF the whereabouts on this globe o
England; whether it lay on the cart
or In the air above, or in the water
under the earth; Donna Margarit
! knew and cared nothing. That h
was gong away from her' Iha6 81.
would never again lay eyes on hi
handsome face, was the thought tha
ragged in her to madness.
HE will speak to my papa surely.
whispered hope. ''Most possibly h
knows our habitude, Good! My pap
will say sall right Then she enel
geticaily brought old Don Tomas, he
father, and the Englishman, tcte-d-te
over their coffee and card table.
As for her, she crocheted, countc
stitches and the beads of her rosary &
once, in awful superstitious desper'
tion.
The young guest lost nice lit
sum of money to Don Thomas as
farewell courtesy; this was the yesu