The Wahpeton times., 1889-08-15
MAJORICA,
II XxxsrrA = aA111nAx.

MAJORICA.
u ANN1TrA J. HALLIDAY.
A small, conical-shaped island, high and
steer with broad reef Of sand to the north.
ward, the natural rock terrace with many
ridges, rising one above the other, thickly
planted and showing the result Of many
centuries Of labor; the dropping citron
flowers, the fiery azaleas, the silver.gray
olive and the dazzling green Of tho orange
trees, forming luxuriant and picturesqu Q
whole, towering upward in the golden.
misty vapor Of an early summer day.
What repose is herel
These skies are soitest azure, the bending
fringe OF blossoms, the dreamy blue Of the
iris lilies and the yellow gladiola and great
scarlet poppies contrasting 80 beautifully
with the bronze, and sea-green and purple Of
the lex leaves and the snowy whiteness of
tho arbutus and acacia, while everywhere,
stretching, away to indefinite horizons.
spreads the trembling sea, its long expanse
OF waves Offering with the tlnts opal, yio-
let and gold. @
Around this summer islet, Set like a Jewel
In the bosom of the Mediterranean. cluster
memories Of Liszt's weird music. of the
dream nocturnes of Chopin, of the incom-
parable genius Of Madame Sand. and scenes
which have faded out of the real world for.
ever, suddenly appear again as in q vision.
1t is Majorca, fair Maiorca!
A boat witha picturesque sail of Venetian
red had been drawn upon the sand. and q
man Of perhaps thirty years or more disem-
barked.
He threw coin to the boatman and then
sauntered leisurely up the dusty, rookie
road.
His ID face, once seen, never forgotten,
the restless almost indescribable eyes, full Of
flame, with tawny light in them, not up.
like tiger furtively watching his prey; the
Raunt emaciated, supernatural figure, look
Ing like an indifferently dressed skeleton.
the long, lank hair struggling down over
his shoulders, an awkward, shamblinR
gait ss II his bones had been loosely strung
together upon wires and the wires had BE-
come unfastened.
Altogether he was an exceptional being
to behold in the flesh.
ed the boatman.
"How far to the hoteli" said he, in purest
Castilian.
"Does the Senior wish for the city2 It IL
yet two miles ahead Or has Don Senior
the intention Of stopping with Carlos to-
night There is no hotel nearer than the
city, but Dios! What more can you want
than you shall find with Carlos-meat,
drink, and blessing from Our Ladya'
A demoniacal grin appeared for an In.
slant upon the listeners face, but it van
ished almost as quickly, as he spoke.
''Peace, fool! what care for blessings
from any onew he asked In harsh voice (;
''ts there no inn, nothing on this island
nearer than two miless Who is this man
Carlos, and what does he keeper
And the fisherman; recovering somewhat
from his astonishment, made answer:
"Carlos Muyez, respected Senior, IL. q
farmer who lives alone with his daught er
Gulnare, but his lands are broad, his barns
are full; there 10 enough to spare for man
and beast"
"And where do find this paragon Of hos.
pitalitya" inquired the stranger.
Scarcely hfty PAGES ahead, dear Senior;
you are sure to be, welcome. Dios gxardo q
Ustsd, caballeroi" (God be with you, caya.
lter."
"Addiosn responded the other, careless.
~. - !"
"He Is q hereto or worse" thought the
simple fisherman as he pulled his boat
about and hoisted his sail
HE Is looking, like tho picture
hung near Our Blessed Lady in the chapel
of Las Trinitas, and that man in that pict-
ure was in league with the devil, too" And
as he pushed Of he crossed himself rever-
emily.
Meanwhile. the tall, ungainly figure saun-
tered slowly up the path to the farm house
He looked around abstractedly at times,
and then paused, talking to himself out
loud, gesticulating wildly, then breaking
into loud laugh.
Down the white path strewn thick with
bright flowers, came young girl carrying
one Of tho large baskets of flowers, 80 fre
quently seen In the streets Of Palma, the
capital Of the islsnd.r J. .si
She was Q picture after the wonderful
beauty Of the Spanish peasant girls; under
the torn brim Of the unfastened hat, the
curls fell, dark thick and clustering, and
the bro wn flesh tints were measured with
. rare richness Of color.
Suddsly the largo, black eyes became q
II tFansdxed, there was in them mixture
Of wonder, fear and fascination as they fell
upon the uncouth form approaching her.
The next instant she was aware Of the
strangers intense gaze and stood almost
motionless, % bird charmed by serpent
Then she trembled. involuntarily from
head to foot.
A strange smile stole over the pale, hsg
| gard face Of the man, asmile which seemed
to break the spell Of mesmeric power, and
the startled girl passed on.
She reached tho shore and stood upon the
sandy beach, gazing wistfully up and down
the vast waste Of waters, in search Of some
one, now and then casting timid look
backward, o. II she feared the weird
stranger might again cross her path.
Presently her watching was rewarded
A boat rounded the curve Of the island ans
shot rapidly. into the little bay.
AS Its keel grated upon the sand, hand
some young fellow leaped on shore, wear
ing red Levatine cap, with dash Of vel
low in II. short Zouave jacket trimmed
! with buttons, and blue sash tied at tn,
side, the ends Terminating In knotte'
fringe. q
His eyes were dark and piercing. Wit
something Of the falcon in their depths
his nose aquiline but his clear olive skir
bore the traces Of warmer sun than tina
Of Italy or Spain, and his garb bespoke
sailor Of the Orient in holiday attire.
He approached the young girl and raise.
one Of her hands to hts lips.
'.Ah Leonidas" she exclaimed, in, q Ian
/ guage which was neither Spanish no
italian, you are late today. I can only b,