Morning journal and courier., 1889-06-04
A Tale of she RaII Ring.
From Blackwood.

I was early in my seat, for like above all things to see the motley crowd of sun burned Spaniards como trooping to their na- tional game. I was not in the sombrs, or shady seats, for prefer to take my place among the crowd, one of whom almost am now; and, moreover, what right has penni- less young artist to spend dollar on seeing bull-fghti
 How noisy and hot and dusty they all looked as they trooped in and took their seats around mel l was surprised at the kill bulls to-day, yet all the cheaper seats were filling.
 I asked my neighbor, a peasant in a fiat black hat, brooches and highly decorated gai.ers, and bright wsistcoat, and wearing his coat slung from the shoulders.
 "Senor," said, "can you tell me why so many people are here to-dayF
 He looked at me for 8 moment with an ex- pression of surprise.
 ."You do not knowl" he spoke with strong Andalusian accent. Sebastian will kill the bull"
 "Sebastiana" I said. tSenor, do not think me ignorant, but I know no bull-fght- CT of that name."
 He laughed.
 "He has never killed bull before; to-day is his first. He comes from this part; that is why every one Is here." Then he added: "I will tell you his story. Sebastian is only a muleteer, who once Q week drives a caravan of mules from his mountain village to this town. Once 8 week he comes with his bur- den of fruit. But he is poor; the mules are uot his; he only works for another" He paused for @ moment and then he added, "You are stranger heres"
 'Yes," said, 'I only arrived yesterday: !"
 "Then you do not know JuaRita-La Bella Juanita we call herq' He did not wait for me to answer his question, but oontinued "Every one falls in love with Juanita, and Sebastian, like the rest, did too. He prayed and besought her to marry him; but she Is proud and would not look at the humble muleteer. But after time his handsome face and oft-repested tale of love impressed her; go she told him she would marry him If be would kill ball in the ring at to-day's fair. But hushi here she is."
 I turned in the direction in which he was pointing, and gazed with astenishment at one of the most lovely creatures it has ever been my lot to see. All eyes were fixed on her, yet she was as impressive as if she were alone and unnoticed. Her light golden hair mot uncommon among the Spaniards- bound up high upon her head and surmount- ed by dark crimson rose, which held in it's place her mantilla of black lace; her dress was open slightly at the neck and showed wonderfully ohiselled throat; her arms, too, were bare from the elbow, and rivalled in exquisite whiteness and shape her neck; hef dress was of black lace, while loosely thrown over one shoulder was an embroidered shawl It surprised me that one of her station should be so well dressed, though 1t was not the dress that struck one so forcibly-it was those great gray eyes and dark lashes, the curved eyebrows, the aauiline nose, the per- feot bow-shaped lips.
 She took her seat among the common peo- pie, who made way for her on every side, but whom she entirely ignored. No sooner was she settled than she drew out great fan of black lace, which she opened and closed in regular monotony, leaning back with a weary look in her half-closed eyes and a smile on her brilliant lips.
 It was time the bull fight commenced, and already the impatient Spaniards were shout ing and calling, but as yet the gobernador had not taken his seat in the box reserved. I was all impatient to see Sebastian, and his was to be the first bull killed. l gazed at hazard round the ring-what an anomaly It presentedi Near me, but in the better seats, were lady and her two little girls. whom she was feeding on chocolates, and whose tiny hands were all ready to clap the victori- ous matsdor. Behind and around me were the isunting, dusty crowd, among whom uassed and repassed the sellers of water witn their shrill cry of ''Aqua, aqua frescs," eno .ha vsndors of biscuits and nuts. Below ls the arena with it's burning yellow sand, 8 ,o;niature desert; above Suddenly 1he band commenced to play; turned aha saw that the administrators box was no longer emptv. A small man in black coat ana