Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-12-15
Y.cHRlSTlRA' RElD'

"Buenos dias, senor Como esta UstedY of Ramon, he answered, "Muy bueno, gracias," with so much emphasis that the face of the attendant lighted up with a bright smile, and he said, 'Bueno! buenor with an air of commendation, as he set the tray down
 A little later after the doctor had paid his visit, and had also said "Buenov' ap- provingly over the progress of the shoul- der, Ramon came in and announced that el padre desired to see the senor. Beg him to enter" said Derwent, who had been very much pleased by the gentle. refined face of the priest He anticipat- ed an agreeable visit, in which he could ask much concerning the country of one intimately acquainted with it's inner life; but he was by no means prepared for the errand on which it soon transpired that Padre Francisco had come
 "Dona Zarifa," said the priest, after all due inquiries had been made, thinks that perhaps you are strong enough now for little outdoor exercise, and that | you may like to see something Of the | hacieEda-at least of the portion which lies immediately around the casa grande. If you care to- go, she and l will be happy for you to accompany us on our usual morning round.
 "l shall be delighted" answered Der | went. A man of another stamp might have been disappointed that he was not to have a tete-a-tete with his fair hostess, but Derwent was not only too much man of the world to have expected such a thing in country with the customs ot Continental Europe, but he really did not desire it. He had nothing to say to Dona Zarifa that the whole world might not hear; and he was very sure that the society of the padre would in no degree detract from the enjoyment of her com 1 panionship
 | They found her in the court when they came out, standing under the shade of one of the Moorish arches, dressed as | Derwent had seen her first, in black, and draped with lace, which she wore in the | graceful Spanish fashion over her head She gave him her hand, asked how he was feeling, and if he was sure that g walk would not fatigue him. You must promise" she said, that you will let us know as soon as you feel the least weary Now, padre mic, think we are ready | They passed through the wide, vault ed passage, paved as porte-cochere | which led to the front of the house anC out into the arcade, which ran tht length of the tong building, and the great arches of which framed in a sue cession of pictures the magnificent ex panse of the plain.
 Derwent now saw fully, for the frs time, the commanding position of tn house Standing on a wide, level emi l Si1 down to the spreading tableland, it wa inclosed on the other by hills, covered with verdure, behind which rose tn high crests of greater heights, that curving around in the arc of a half ci1 cle, lay in splendid masses of blue an purple on each side of the mesa-thei farthest point forty or fifty miles dis , tant, but looking much nearer in tn clear atmosphere.
 "What glorious viewy he exclaimed No wonder, senorita, that you like place which charms you with such pic lures always before your eyes!'
 You should see it during the rain season, senor." she answered. smiling - "when all the plain before us is carpete
 with tiowers-myriads of every kind an color 1t Is for this reason that the hi
 cienda is called Mirafores.
 "'See the tlowersr" said Padre Fral V cisco. trauslating. "Mexlcans are fon
 of fanciful names"
 "I should rather call them poetical
 said Derwent But this place deserve
 its name doubly; for what beautif1
 gardens!
 or It was the parklike pleasance of whiC ne he had already had a glimpse from h sn window, and which now spread befo ar him in all its loveliness, with shadow es vistas where great trees met overhead es an arch of shade, stretches of green tul "t m parterres bright with flowers, tropic Do shrubs loaded with bloom, and smt
 gurgling streams, directed into channe
 here and there for the irrigation whi'
 made this paradise possible.
 Turning to the priest, Dona Zari
 said:
 Shall we take Senor Derwent throu hu the gardens first, padre mic? or will
 detain you too long?"
 . By all means let us show him t
 canada" the padre replied. ''Mirahol
 has many beauties, but l think that
 chief And he may not be able to IF farther with us.
 ll "l feel as strong as possible" Derwe
 protested But if Mirafores conta anything more beautiful than have - ready seen, beg to be introduced tc
 at once"
 Come, then" said Zarifa, smili1
 She had opened large white para CT lined with rose color, the reflection to which threw soft pink glow over
 delicate, ivorylille face, and as she wa ed by his side, with her spirited he l. held aloft, and her firm. free step E. true step of Mexican woman-Derw - could not but think how little there V
 of the conventional languorous, tropi .. type about her. There was nothing GSJ ductive in the glances of the dark, pro
 eyes. Diana herself could not have S
 gested more strongly vestal purity {
 perfect physical vigor in every mo
 ment, while her manner was a peri , blending of simplicity and dignity,
 hkened her again in his thoughts tt
 young princess-an ideal princess, W
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