Omaha daily bee., 1889-04-22
THE OMAHA DAILY BEE: MONDAY April. %. 1885,

moved away without another word or
look in our direction. Parbleu! this
was funny; the suddenness OF the Incl
dent stunned me. followed him with
my eyes moment, eyes at once skep-
tical and thoughtful. then-1 entered.
The young fower-girl had already
preceded me into the dininghall, and
selected by a window opening upon the
sea table for two, upon which the
aubergists was in the act Of placing the
lighted candles. Ma fol Despite the
shadow left upon my spirit by the words
OF my friend, 1t was not without pleas
ure that obeyed the engaging eyes OF
this pretty charmer, and seated myself
in front OF her. The hour and occasion
were as sweet as unexpected. We.dined
TRANQUILITY in sound and sight OF those
great waves that seemed to enlock US
with genuine affection. listened and
in part comprehending the merry bab-
BILE OF my little vis-a-vis, in which
Havanese Spanish and unknown words
mingled equally; sometimes my atten-
tion drawn to the viands before us,
sometimes to the ebb and flow OF the
tide of officers, passengers and travellers
who dined ABOUT us with companions no
less beautiful than niue.
All at once, at my fifth glass OF Xeres
Il think it was the fifth, though it
might have been more--I perceived
that the words Of the lieutenant had
been we'll founded; the Here's was
and the pungent strength of this dam
gerous liquor made my head bob with
brusque intensity. Catalina had also
very brilliant eyes, and the hand she
placed across my glass with laughing
significance showed a vacilation OF
purpose as decided as unforeseen. l
shook my head and laughed with her.
TOO late," murmured, 'too late,
Catalina; the mischief's done. You are
charming, truly charming, but my
brain whirls-I must sleep immedi-
ately," and rising to my feet l called
the innkeeper, handed him the key and
chamber. He bowed, took up candle
stick, an end of candle and pinch of
matches from shelf beside us, and q
minute later we were mounting the
staircase lighted in this primitive fash
ion. Catalina followed us, and now
close behind us pulled herself up by
the bannisters with little giggles of sup
pressed and impudent laughter. AT the
second floor we traversed along corridor
at the end OF which mine host stopped,
put the key in the lock, and as some
Oue ChllSu HlHl dJ JHe luSGduI from IHc
hall below, hastily thrust the candle
into my hand and was gone with a
CHEEKY "Bonne mutt, m 'sieur"
entered. BY the feeble light of my
luminary, and eyes more and more
veilcd by the wine of Spain, perceived
vaguely an ordinary inn chamber, long
er than wide. At the end of it, between
the two windows, massive armoire of
glass, that seemed to have been placed
there temporarily, and which dimly re-
hected my own and the creole's figures,
for again had she followed me in;
mantel-piece without a clock, a screen,
straw chair beside the bed, whose pill
lows touched the Intel of the door
that was ALL saw nothing more.
While gave turn TO the bolt, Cata
lima, whose step, surprised like mine by
this insidious, absurd drunkenness,
staggered little, threw herself upon
the bed, her drum and flowers were left
below, and with an arm doubled beneath
her head, was already half asleep. 1
seated myself beside her, stretched out
an arm to draw her to me-then knew
no more. In spite of myself my eyes
had closed, my head dropped to the pill
low, and / was wrapped in deep, benifi-
cent slumber.
How long I slept know not. l was
awakened by an indefnable shock, and
| thought heard in the darkness-my
candle had burned out while 1 slept-a
strange noise, like the cracking of old
wood. l gave it little attention then,
though l opened my eyes wide in the
the beach, the meeting with the lieu
fepant la Catalina the nniyerSary and