Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-17
interior Of the house came . sweet. eager

Here, sehorita." he replied, with q
| graceful bow.
"You But-but-Jose Bcnito was a boy
when" she hesitated.
Yes, Sehorita, he was q boy when
Maria babe him good-by, but that was
twelve years ago."
when babe him good-byl True. il
was Years ago." she said with q weary
sigh, .,
:" i am Maria"
~ am Marial' Those were the very
words You said when poor old Antonio
asked your name"
Yes, yes, / remember. Are you. then,
| Jose Benito? am sure OF II now" CRED
tho girl, her lovely face radiant with de-
light.
She seized his hand and drew him into a
small reception-room near the door. 1t
is such long time since we parted" she
said, catching her breath. AS she looked
at his handsome face her checks were COW
cred with bushes.
Yes. Sonorita. twelve long, weary
years." he replied without raising his
eyes.
"Senorita! Why do you address me as
Senorita? Am not always Maria to
your"
The Young man could not refrain from
Selling and pressing the little hand which
she extended to him. Then. drawing away
from her, he sald sadly;
In those days long ego Jose Benlto was
boy and Maria was little child. Now
Jose Beuito is a man. but he ia as door as
when he wept at parting with the child
| who is now beautiful woman
"Supposing YOU are poor. that IS moth
! ing she said blushing. ~ knew bv your
dress that fortune had not been kind TO
you before you told me; but for all that,
dear old friend. you have improved. You
| talk better and have better manners than
many q man who has gold in his purse"
jose Benito's handsome face flushed
crimson.
| Still. after so many years man ought
| to bring money to show for his WORK. ne
SAID, with a sigh.
| Your hands are soft and white, still
nm sure you have been industrious" she
said, smiling sweetly..
| He made no reply; he dld not even RAISE
his eyes to her face. 81,
Tell me. where is that sailor with the
| ugly face who was going TO carry me away
with him ?" she asked.
"He had an ugly face, it is true, Seho--
rita, but he had good heart. Poor old
| Antonio was noble man.
"Oh, yes. | remember how kindly be
| spoke TO me. Where is beY"
| "Ah, SenoTita, who can tell? In so
MANY wears the wind blows sailor III oil
| directions"
Poor old man ] should like TO see him
again." she sad.
| There was a rustling in the hallway, and
| a tall, elderly woman entered the room,
| followed by two girls VINO r0sembled her
so much that il was evident that they
were her daughters. All three were richly
dressed in trailing silk attire and covered
with jewelry. in striking contrast TO Maria,
4 ~. 80. n
ornaments.
What is this? Who is this man, Ma
ria?" exclaimed the woman in sharp,
disdainful voice.
Before Maria could reply Jose Benito
came forward.
ais this Sonora Sanchez" he asked po-
litely.
THAT is my name" replied the woman,
| tossing her head proudly.
| II am jose BenitO." he said.
| MAY the saints have mercy on us! che
| exclaimed. Then turning to her daugh-
| tiers, she added:
"What do you think OF this Cood-for-
nothing?"
That he has come back as poor and
shiftless as he went away" said Petra. 90,
And az big n fool" added Ramona. with
a scornful laugh.
"Yes. more stupid than ever" said their
| mother. Look how he stands there like
| a log. He scarcely hears what we say"
And YOU, what are you doing here alone
with this man ?" asked Petra turning to-
| ward Maria.
II was only wishing him welcome" said
the Door girl, blushing violently.
"You cannot call this fellow q man."
said Ramona, looking at blIn with con-
temptuous toss of her head.
II should think Maria would remember
too well the trouble she had for saying
oood-bv to that boy TO ever wish TO set eyes
| on him again." exclaimed Petra. That
cost her not only good whipping but
three DAYS solitary confinement ON bread
and water" 81, o., VIZ,
are you staring at my daughter in such i'm
pudent fashion," exclaimed the Widow
SANCHEZ, addressing the young man, who
stood gazing at Petra. his eyes blazing
with indignation. And let me tell YOU"
abe added, =" if this bold girl Maria was
punished for saying good-by to you. she
will be punished still more now for talking
| 10 Won here alone She will not only re-
ceive "a sound scolding, but whenever my
daughters and myself go TO the promenade
She will be locked in her room that we
NAV not return to find her disgracing her.
self talking with beggar.
"The Senorita Maria is not TO blame, Sc
nora. 1t was / Who" began the young
man.
She interrupted him:
THAT makes no difference. She had no
right TO listen TO you. And as for you,
the sooner you takeyourself away the bet
ter"
"Senora. | must wait until you read
this" said the young man, handing her
| letter. Had not been ordered TO bring
| il TO YOU | should not have entered your
house without your PERMISSION
~ am glad you have decency enough to
apologies. Give the letter to me. Who
sent it?n
at is from my master
"WhO Is your master
a generous, noble-hearted man. Seno-
"a and n yerv rich man, too. He found
me ON board ship and he pitied me for my
poverty and misfortunes. He offered to
| take me as his servant, and was only too
glad 30 accept"
should think he would give you better
clothes to wear"
mo doubt he will. Sonora: but we only
| reached port an hour ago."
What business has your master with
me, and in such o hurry, too Z"
II do not know, Sonora" replied the
Young man; but il did not escape his
notice that the widow turned pale and
the hand that held the letter trembled.
- Are you 10 NdlI LOI III huoNS4. Blu
asked.
ayes. Sonora"
"lhen go and wait at the door until ]
| call YOU
The Young man turned TO obey, when
the widow. who had hastily opened the
letter, started violently.
Jose Benito, Jose Benito, como here
quick! " she called.
Her daughters rushed to her side. ques-
tioning her eagerly, but she ordered them
from the room together with Maria.
Then closing the door she turned TO Jose
Benito. WI, ;. -.
who is your master? What is his
narne?n she asked sharply.
don Jose de Zayas, Sonora
lis he a respectable person."
"Ne il said to be worth S5,000,000."
"But is he gentleman"
"Ah. Sonora, with so much money he"
VERY well, that is enough" she said,
impatiently. "Tell him will receive him
at once"
Thank you. Sonora" said poor 'Jose
Benito az he went away.
A half hour later as the Widow Sanchez,
alfred in her richest costume, sat waiting