The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-10-08

While waiting. Ihsfe myself agreeable to
| the dueRna and the yeung lady, and inquired
| how they were getting on in the interior. /
| found both very much. disgusied, aud / then
diseoursed on the pleasautuess Of the seat
had the comfort OF so much space and fresh air,
until they, after a whispered consultation with
the driver, announced their intention Of join
ing me. ] also recommended the beverage l
wa? drinking and supplied them with like
pOtions.
The ice being broken, we found that we had
mutual acquaiutarees ia Barcelona, so that i
was soon on quite friendly terms with them.
summoned TO the coach alter a little effort. the
ducnna was hoisted to tho banquet, into which
we two younger ones easily clamberCd. The seat
was small for three, but in the cool night air
packing was not uncopIfortable. while the
movements OF the coach did not bump ono
about so much
They closely wrapped in their cloaks, ] in
my blanket and another blanket we'll tucked
IN around all three, We started of quite jolly,
and soon the sOuorous snOre OF the duenna au-
nounccd that tired nature had broken down
the vigilance of the guard, and that we young
people could chat aud exchange sentiment as
we chose.
We were still ascending. the clouds had
formed aud rain was pouring down. Soon the
head Of the sleepy senorita
DROPPED on NY SHOULDER.
Carefully drawing her cloak around her with
my arm, l kept her from tumbi!ug. while my
blanket did double service 1t was inky dark,
and except the drivers talk with his horses
al was still. suddenly brilliant fash Of light
nlng and rumble Of thunder far OF restored
my burden 10 CONSCIOUSNESS, but not 10 rebel
Iion, Tor nesting closer, she murmured, " How
KIND you are. II is nice to have strong arms
around one. II makes one feel so secure"
Again the lightning flashed and her black eyes
met mine cOqucttishly. Still the ducuna slept.
We had now begun the descent Every fash
showed MS the dangers Of tho road. Going at
a good trOt, without the breaks on, we whirled
along the edges of precipiccs and caught
EllmpseS OF deep valleys rendered d0ubly terri
bie by the alternate vivid light and the deep
darkness Ctinging closer as we swayed and
reeled along in childish prattle she conveyed TO
me little bits Of personal history and love dittie5,
aud then, gently touching my cheek with her
hand, sang the closing words Of that popular
Spanish song, " / Love Every body" in which
she protested that she especially loved this
little rosy fellow"
What answer was there 10 that but n similar
ayowal on my part that she was my especial
deFntion"2 Turning 20 see that the duenua
was still sleeping, she conhded to my car the
startling information that she had never been
Kissed by any man, and she WAS curious 10
know how u felt. / made 10 impossible for her
10 truthfully make that statement again, and
then, interrupted by an unweleome flash and
burst Of thunder,
TIE DUESSA AwoKE,
and our little episode ended All through that
long night the rain fell, the lightning played
It's blue flame around us, aud tho thunder
roared loud aud long
still We plunged down and onward But the
old lady slept no more, and except a gently
mutmured word or a squeeze Of the hand our
II FHaHn
daylight broke the storm disappeared, aud the
smiling sun came 10 kiss us all, and TO divide
our party. We reached the town Of Perpignan,
where ] Travelled cast they north; aud our
yows-welI, were probably washed away during
the night
Ny trip by rail to Nice via Marseilles and
Iouion-thc four days there and my return 20
IcTpignan-ioT tire pTeseIt concern rs not, hut
my return south over toe mountains again was
fnll enough Of accidents 10 be worth relating.
Tho coach LEFT Pcrpignan at noon, and there
were only two passengers besides myself
booked, an Italian priest bound for Madrid,
az Spanish dame Of 90 going to Barcelona.
We were warned ~ the coaching Office that,
owing 10 10 days Of rain, tlo
ROADS WE'RE VERY BAD,
aud our chances Of arriving on time were small.
We might not get through al an. Upon this
the priest backed out, but the woman had b
kN @NN i AAAHiil FiIAH-ithes hlu. not care IN
fact, looking forward 10 lark, would rather
90 than not.
The coach was the old fashioned machine
swung on leather traps, the whole body when
lightly loaded swayiug and bobbing about at
every j9lt sothai s. ith oniy the two Of us and no
trunks We mad raal lively time, even over
the fairly-sm0Oth roads.
in tho commencement the lady took the back
scat aud the front, leaving the two middle
ones empty. We bowed and bobbcd at each