The National tribune., 1891-01-08

N tftAk4klAA one nNElll III A4lt " III
4 NSI"N\' ter Of 1850. Most of
the eyes Ia that room that were free to look
where they wished, and some not entitled to
that freedom, were fixed upon tall, blonde
girl who stood in conversation with the man
who had finished the last dance with her
This target for eye and tongue was Christine
ShalgECen, the daughter OF a Swedish Count
whose passion for travelling had Tel him 10
that distant city, so far from routes usually
chosen by Europeans new face always
eXcites curiosity; but hers provoked more
question than usual, because il was so unique.
Most OF those who saw her that night saw
for the first time the golden hair, light eyes,
and fair skin SO common in her own country.
There Is distinction ia rarity.
The swaFthy youths OF B0gota would
have been diseHChanted soon, il they could
have gone TO some countries in the North
where everyone is q blonde; aud they would
have realized then. that. though handsome,
Chrlstine's face was not transcendcntly beau
tiiUl. A severe but discreet Judge would
have gone farther and regretted that her
clear gray eyes looked so cold. and that i r
lips-so brightly coloTed by the red blo-d
which health and youth give-had not more
fnlness; for most students of faces agree
with the poet that thin lips show that love
is thin There could have been nothing
but praise, however, for her exquisite form
and queenIy carriage
The slender young man who was assailing
her cars with that flatteTy which the sons
Of Spain are wont 10 bestOw so generously
and looking at her earnestly with handsome
hazel eyes, was a striking contrast TO Chris
tine-with his dark hair and swarihy COM
pleXion, eyes that glowed as only those
belonging 10 Southern race can, and lips
which, by their luilness, proclaimed an
affectionate, demOnstrative nature.
There" said Christine, "comes that
hateful man, who will not learn what snub
means. lie is going to ask me for this
dance. Hou must rescue me, DR.. Lozana.
j shall now see if your devotion is real"
That will not test me, SenOrita. ] can
not have the pleasure Of dancing with you
too often; but / am surprised that you dc
not welcome Capt. Diaz a. p9rtner-he is
one of BCgota's pets, you know
" know he is one of my pet ayersions
Why, cannot tell, unless it il that / feel
the influence of his will. When grant him
favor, or agree with him, / always feel
that in some way he had compelled me.
There is something about his figure that
suggests dOmineering lie is so large and
strong, and yet so symmetrical and graceful.
lie is beautiful, but his beauty is the beauty
OF n beast. lie is jaguar in human Jrrn.
Now sometimes ike 10 play with animals.
/ sometimes like to pet them, but 1 like
best TO tease them"
The approach Of Capt. Diaz prevented the
continuance of these comments upon his
person and character, and LOzana suspect
ing that Christine was using him as an
instrument with which 10 tease the Jag
uar," suggested that they commence dane
ing, and thus save the Captain from the
pain OF a refusal but " No" she said, laugh
inG, that will spoil my fun
Shame and anger drove the blood into his
face; but he was one Of those persons who,
in critical moments, consider too long before
acting or speaking. His opportunity was
lost, and Diaz, joining them, said TO Chris
tine:
May have the pleasure Of this waltz
with you?"
You are too late, Captain" replied Chris
tine, with something in her face which did
not please that gentleman. Il have just
given il TO DIR. Lozana"
The Captains black eyes flashed and his
brow contracted, as he looked at LOzana and
said
This is the second time tonight that
you have made your fortune my misfortune,
SenOr Lozana; but allow me to give you good
advice: BE moderate, or your luck may
change, and very suddenly, too"
Many thanks for your advice, but let me
beg you not TO trouble yourself with either
my fortune or misfortune. Senorita, let us
dancen
Away they went, leaving Diaz in q rage
lie could scarcely control. lie felt that he
could not dance, and seating himself alone,
kept his eyes upon LhZana and Christine
They had gone around the room and were
passing him. "Oh, they laugh" he said to
himself Very well very well That fun
shall not last. She loves the little fOp I'll
play part that will make her heart ache"
They were passing him again, and Chris
tine dropped her andkerchief-may be by
accident, may be with purpose 1t fell at
his feet; he bent and picked it up, but did
not rise
"Let MS not stop" said Christine eve
must not waste note Of this beautiful
music"
So they continued, but LOzana ceased TO
enjoy the perfect dancing of his partner.
His mind was tOrmented by shame and ap-
pTehensiOH. He was disgusted at finding
| himself the victim of wOmanis cOquetry, q
woman who cared nothing for him, "A woman
whom he began TO detest, and he dreaded a
quarrel with such man as Diaz. He was
not one of those sophists who tell themselves
that they are without fear, and try To close
their ears to the voices of feelings which so
often speak disagreeable truths. What pride
would not allow him TO reveal TO others, he
| frankly acknowledged to himself
The music ceased; Lozana found seat for
| Christine, and after conversing a few min
utes, was on the point Of excusing himself
by pleading an engagement, and he hoped
10 escape future embarrassments; but she
destroyed his hope by saying:
The jaguar seems TO look on my hand
kerehief rs lawful booty. ! would not care
about IL if had another here, but really
can't do without il. ! don't like to trouble
you, but would you not get it for me?
Certainly, Senorita, shall be happy in
serving you" said LOzana, while he mentally
consigned her and that handkerchief to the
| devil.
Gallantry forbade the thought of declining
this mission, and knowing what he did
lie Was Blind