Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-09

disappeared; when the widest tales OF his
subsequent sea piracies were everyw here
told But Tomasa remained. In her hut IN the
Baluarte quarter were often seen the Glpslet
of Cuba. Her own lie was blameless; and
secretly dreaded as were her companions,
''old Tomasa," as she was always called,
went and came without hand or voice being
raised against her; while in one noble gum
ia OF Jesu del Monte, where lived the family
OF Tomasa's one adored human OF all the
world, Donna Froila, she was still the be-
loved Cuban "mammy" of the rav1shlngly
beautiful being she had nursed from the
cradle, and whose own fair hand had signed
the document that freed the old black
nurse.
In the nightly carnivals in Havana, ten
thousand euuipages filled with richly
att1red and merry occupants may often De
seen. Officials and nabobs in the saddle
loiter at their sides, exchanging greetings
with friends and acquaintances. On such an
evening when Don Enrique and Count
Basil were thus engaged, the latter sudden
ly exclaimed:
''santa Maria! ALI Spain has not such
lovelinessp'
Don Enrique following his friends look
and gesture of admiration to the stream of
carriages coming from the opposite direction
down the Prado, saw the object of the ex-
clamation, and with that glance he lost his
heart; for at the same moment the most
beautiful and lovable senorita of all Cuba
raised her lustrous eyes to his own. In
voluntarily Don Enrique saluted her. She
turned her face away, but could not hide the
blushes of not d1spleased recognition with
which her face was suffused. Following the
carriage at its side, common sight IN
Havana then, was "old Tomasa," looking
adoringly into her former mistress face;
and Donna Froila's gracious hand rested
kindly upon her former slaves shoulder.
"Jesul-Maria THAT dream Of fair
women shall be minel" passionately cried
Don Enrique to his companion, searching
the Counts eyes for responsive accord and
chivalrous proffers of assistance.
There was strange pallor in the mans
face, but he spoke no answering word to his
friend.
In the early evening of February day,
in 1S45 celebrated American statesman
sat upon the broad, pilIared portico of the
old Hotel Almy. overlooking the beautiful
waters of Havana Bay. AS the nominee OF
a newly created political party, himself de-
feated OF election as President of the United
States, and exhausted with the turmoils OF
party warfare, he had for a time escaped
them all, and, unaccompanied, was recruit
ing his exhausted energies in this sweet
Southern cline. The Madrid Government
had directed the highest honors paid him in
Cuba. Firmly refusing all Official and pri-
vate entertainment, he had accepted single
attendant and interpreter, at the courtesy
of Governor-General Tacon. This man,
brilliant young Virginian named Belt, a
tutor IN many of the noblest families of
he had fho nnf mo NJ
inseparable co npanion; and just as, around
from the Iookouts of Moro tower to the
heights of Ell Principe the evening chal-
lenges of the sentinels had begun, light OF
welcome came into the hollow cheeks and
great, deep eyes of the American statesman,
as he noticed his young friends approach.
A few low words of greeting passed be-
tween them, in which the elder man might
have been heard to express an unalterable
determination to accompany the Vlrglnian
upon some strange adventure. The sur
prise, delight and gratitude, yet shame
faced protests, of the latter were boundless.
After perplexed silence he timorously in
quired:
But in heavens name, what kind of
Gipsy can we make of you?
MAKE me dumb Gipsy fddlerI'' SEN
tentiously retorted the other. '1 have
linked and diddled' my elbow thousand
times in old Kentucky; and ii there's to be
any trouble at Ell Dique tonight, although
I'm getting along in years, Belt, my finger
is still pretty quick and sure at the triggerr'
They sat there for perhaps an hour in ear
nest conversation. If it could have been
overheard these interesting facts would have
been gathered: The Virginian, Belt, was
the English tutor of the most lovely and
loveable senorita of Havana, who was be-
trothed in marriage to one Don Enrique.
The latter, who had but lately, on the death
of his father, the Duke OF Teruel, fallen heir
to vast estates in Arragon, had, through
some strange influence, plunged into most
dissolute life. The don and donna were
madly in love with each other. The mar
riage day had been repeatedly set. But at
each approach some hideous contretemps
occurred. This had at last become scandal
TO Havana society. Thereupon Belt, like
the chivalrous Virginian he was, took the
field in the donna's behalf. He at
once discovered the secret destruct-
i've influence. 1t was the mysterious
power of Count Basil de Orense. The Vir-
ginian had sought his acquaihtace, charged
him with his perfdy, flung at him repeated
insults and challenges; only 10 see Don En-
rique become more and more helpless and
in the calmly remorseless ad-
venturer's clutches. All this time Count |
Basil was paying insidious and persistent |
court to the donna herself Though she
his wretched power and loathed |
him, her tutor, fully in her confidence, |
counseled her to permit these addresses |
through hope of discovering some means of !
saving to her the man she loved. But no
yood came of it. Emboldened by his sue
,esses, the patient and devilish plans of |
Count Basil were rapidly maturing.
: Half way between Havana and GuiDes. on
he great calzada that trails between, stood
he famous gambling-hell of Ell Dique, then
conducted in royal fashion. Here Don En-
ique was entrapped, piled with wine.
empted by the most brilliant lascivias of
spain, and enchained by the human devils
round him. Rumors of plays and losses in
abulOus sums over the tables of El Dique,
lew from lip to lip in the city. But the
Jount meantime was back in Havana. the
ocial hero of the day, his agents prompting
be spread of tales of Don Enrique's ruin,
nd himself pressing his attentions upon
oor Froila with increasing feryor.
,ver half a million dollars had been lost by
be don and won by the Count and his con-
No bank in Havana dare dishonor
be eheckes drawn in favor of the proprietors
{ Ell Dique. The Counts determination was
} drive his victim to ruin and from ruin to sui.
ldc.
but Ine love ol noDle woman is SuDtler and
tighter than all the forces of darkness. The
rave and heroic Froila sought the Virginiau.
ringing with her the devoted old Tomasa and
parcel of Gipsies from the canons of Luyano. !
will go disguised as one of these with them |
lie shall return with me" !" said the desperate |
alden. And so this was the adventure. The
irginian was determined to share the fortunes
the band. And an American statesman's
cart was SO soft and tender that he too, |
,uld not be prevented from Joining in the |
1ise of a dumb Gipsy fiddler, the novel
i'd dangerous mission appointed for that very
ght.