Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1889-11-30
"'SOBRE LAS OLAS."

CODhE LAD OLAC.
1t was in an old Mexican town where
Coynt Michail de Cardinus had tarried
for Il few days, after making the tour
ofthc United States. that he first met
Tulsa Montezi His search for a ''satis-
flying portion" had proved an annoying
failure. and as he sat in his room al
most wishing that he was a poor man
with something to do, an exquisite
sirainiof music iloated in at the open
window. and q voice so rich, so clear
IS 10 startle him, accompanied it in
wordlcss song. Swiftly he sprung TO
The window, and leaning out he beheld
a lovely young girl standing near. An
old guitar swung loosely from her
shoulder, and with nimble fingers, red
lips. and the swaying grace of her
slender form, she was rendering that
Understandable Mexican waltz, ''SObre
las Olas."
Enchautment stole along each note
with its witchery, and unconsciously
the heart responded as to the softly
shaken caStanct of fancy, while delight
cTaspCd the soul in its embrace and
foated of into the fragrance of deli
cious rapture.
A face with the creamy tint of the
magnolia. with eyes dark and clear,
like fathomless wells of silver light,
was uplifted 10 his, in smiling asSur-
ancc of his approval. The count lis
tened and gazed enraptured until the
last strain had left the vibrating strings
of the guitar, then in the language of
the Castiiian he called TO the girl.
Instantly the fair singer was beside
the window, her DARK eyes meeting his
gaze, and "a smile parting her crimson
lips.
why DO You sing in the street?' he
questioned. Have your parents no
knowledge of music that they have
failed 70 comprehend the fortune hidden
away IN that fair, white throat?n
IL have no parents, signor, was the
sadly touching reply. 81 play and sing
that | may live"
"Ah, pardon" responded the count,
smiling at her Shy reminder of his neg
lect, and al the same time giving her II
handful Of liver. WHO takes care of
you, child"
The slender form lifted it,alf with
naughty grace, the Ivi lips curved dis
edainfully, and the dusky eyes flashed
their bc%wi,dcriug light.
Il care for myself, signor. / am not
a child / am past l5."
Count de Cardinus smiled approving
ly, and decided that she was fully capa-
BILE df looking after her own affairs.
But then that wonderful voice, he could
not permit it to exist without fitting
approval from the world.
Again | crave your pardon. May |
ask Your name?"
'Luisa Montez, signor." was the
smiling reply.
A suggestion flashed itself into the
heart OF Michail de Cardinus, and was
quickly given the place of honor as
worthy of his consideration. His blue
eyes searched the lovely face before
him for a moment, then he said earn
estly:
Il am going TO ask YOU a question.
Luisa. and you may take all night to
answer it in. Will you allow me to
send you to Rome and have your Wild
bird notes cultivated. that you may
,startle the whole world with their mag
nc and power?"
AT first there was a breathless parting
of the young girls lips. a dilating OF
the dusky eyes, and a flushing of her
checks, then the instructive pride of her
soul found voice.
II need not the night to consider.
s;gnor, | cannot take money from a
stranger"
@.Bnt see, you have taken my silver.
Luisa," he said.
.Ah. that is so different. signor," she
replied, archly. Il have tried to earn
your silver"
-And nobly you have succeed ed,
Luisa. / do not offer You charity.
Some day you shall repay the loan"
Again that breathless desire flashed
into that ardent young face.
ooh, signor. if / only could" she
painted; "but the way is so long. and l
know SO little. If L should fail your
money would be lest"
Child. / have sufficient for both yon
and i. Come back in the morning. l
will be watching for you"
81 will come. signor." she said. with
. graceful lifting of her head. as she
turned from the window.
At last. after years Of discomfort,
Count de Cardinus realized, in that mo-
ment of awakening. that all he needed
to make life worth the living was an
alma work to perform, and for hours
As sat alone in the darkness. planning
what the future should yield to his
protege. if she would only he guided by
him.
At the first sound Of the rumbling
Mexican cart he was ut the window.
watching for the fair young singer with
IN eagerncss that surprised even him.
seif.