The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-09-12
A CUBAN LOVE STORY.

youth then. and now my hair Is white,
and its the years that have made the
difference.
1t was in Havana that l met Pedro
Jarez. 1t was one night when had
been out rather later than was good
for me at one OF the Bodegas, where
the sparkling champagne OF Cuba
which Is not champagne ut all--was
drank by the bowlful. had no idea
what time 1t was, and 1 asked the first
man meta young Cuban in pic
turesque garb-what hour 1t was. He
turned toward the magnificent constel-
lation OF stars unknown 70 northern
ATTITUDES and said politely, in very fair
English;
ut Is my great pleasure to inform
the senior that the southern cross begins
TO unbend its many lights. Midnight
Is past senior"
In that tropical cline 1t is light all
night when the sky was clear. | could
discern the features OF the fellow, and
saw that he was OF the Andalusian
type. He wore red jacket and u
striped shirt and around his waist
loose sash of red silk, in true matador
style His hat was sombrero and
hung jauntily on his head. His full
round throat was muscular and hand
some as girls. He was smoking
big thick cigar.
He walked with me to the home of
my host and told me where would
Exx1 III 1n,y II f,.tN tN1
in him as product OF an interesting
country and called the next day ut
the number he gave me. and found it
was n cigarette shop on the Gale de
Mercadores.
There was no man in the shop, but
very pretty Castilian girl waited on
me, and l at once began to discuss the
merits OF her wares in order to pro-
long the interview before l asked for
my new acquaintance, whom / pre-
sumed to be her husband.
But had scarcely given her an ad-
miring look before party of uniform
ed soldiers dashed into the place and
commanded the young lady to go with
them.
by whose orderp" she asked white
and trembling.
by order OF Excelenzia. the Gov
ernor-General of Cuba"
They read a paper in which the
order was given in official language,
and the young girl said calmly: Il
will go with you to the palace. since
| Excelenzia commands it."
| Then she went to the door of rear
apartment and called loudly: Pedro!
| Pedror'
AT you feet sonora" called gay
| voice, and Pedro, dressed now as u
workman, appeared from the back
sIop and looked greatly surprised ut
the sight OF the soldiers.
The two whispered together and
Pedro accompanied her to carriage
which stood in waiting. the soldiers
mounted guard, and it rolled away in
the direction of the palace.
| Pedro began to take Off his work.
mans blouse, which he replaced with
his nobby jacket.
Senior, he asked. Twill you stay
here while run to the palace and see
that all is right3 Miralda is my be-
trothed. We are to go to the priest
next month. Her mother has gone to
the chapel. She will come in soon.
Bueno Dios, protect us ALP
He was gone and wondered what l
would do il any customer dropped in,
but he was back raving like mad
man, before one came.
She Is not there! Santa Maria!
Ia t. h. h.. NH ho- n1
her off,"
1t was true. The prettiest girl in
Havana and one whom everybody
loved and respected, had been carried
off by titled reprobate who had tried
| in vain to corrupt her innocent heart,
| and had now sent his creatures, dis
guised as soldiers of the Cuban Army,
to abduct her.
That very night servant told me
ness of Importance. / went into the
room where he was waiting and saw a
dignified father of the church.
stranger to me.
Il have seen her, he said, and
then / knew it was Pedro; .she is in
| the Castle OF Count Almonte. but has
treated her like queen. II he had
not" He did not finish the sentence,
but touched significantly the handle
OF poignard concealed in his disguise.
That night / accompanied him to
the palace of the Governor General,
known then and afterward as Tacon
the just. His excellency was just
going out but he laid aside his
plumed hat and spanish cloak, to hear
Pedro's story. A supurb cross OF
malachitc and gold lay on a table at his
right He babe Pedro press it to his
lips. and swear that the story was
true. The young Cuban kissed it
solemnly and in the most impassioned
manner as he repeated the statement
leave the matter TO me now" he
said. but present yourself at 2 to-
night"
We we're both there at z. l to eco
| tho matter through, Pedro wild with
emotion and jealousy.
There was also the count and the
beautiful cigarette girl. pale ana