Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-05-13
ed hand, as if waiting for aims to fall

cd hand. as if waiting for aims to fall
from heaven. See it y
From heaven. yes" said the young
wife, smiling; ''but a better surprise
still, Fernande-the aims, give il your
self, some money in bis hand that he
Idnd when he wakens."
lovers are always generous. Il was
q iivc franc piece that the young man
drew from his purse and lightly laid
upon the open palm. which mechanic
ally half closed itself 1t the contact Of
the cold metal; then, smiling at each
other, the couple passed on their way.
| But Morenito continued 10 sleep, aud
while sleeping to dream. lie dreamed
that by ladder the color of heavens
own canopy, the pure Virgin of Ia Es-
peranza descended to him from the skies.
On her head was crown Of lilies, in
her fingers lilies and roses, and she said
to himsin voice sweeter far than honey
dew
"Juanito, thou hast never forgotten
one single time to pray to me each morn
and evening In recognition of thy
piety, and in honor of the resurrection
of my son, wish to reward thee. Thy
desire is granted, thou shalt go to the
corrida Sunday
At the same time the virgin shook
into Morenito's palm the petals of her
lilies and roses, which in falling turned,
each leaf, into a piece Of money. and
which caused him such joy that he
rubbed his eyes and sat up; and 10 4!
from one Of his hands-oh, wonderful
miracle Ia white piece escaped aud fell
with silvery ring to the stones.
lie could believe neither eyes nor
ears at first. He stopped and raised it.
II was beautiful new and shining five
peseta piece The virgin, then, had not
deceived him She had told him the
truth--hc could go to the corrida on
Easter morning
One leap and he was down the steps
and running with all his legs for the
Plaza do Toros.
Suddenly, as he turned the corner of
the Gale San Pablo, he ran against .
young girl of the TriaAa faubourg,
whom he had kaown since childhood,
and who was called La Chata. She was
pale and sad, and her great black eyes
were full of tears.
"What is it, Chata--what is it p de-
handed Juanito quickly, tell me-"
my mother" responded she, ''is i'll;
for two days and nights now. have
neither eaten nor slept. The doctor
came this morning and ordered new
remedies, and | am going to the botica
now; though it is useless to 60 the
druggist will give me no more credit.
What shall do, Juanto What shall
| do ? If the bells ring for her. they will
ring for me too-for | will not survive
her p
Morenito stood pOnsivs moment,
his luminous gaze plunged deep into the
wet eyes Of the weeping Chata W.
brusquely he drew the white piece from
his pocket, the miraculous five peseta
piece. aud passed il into the hand Of his
little friend.
Take it, nina mia" said he; take
this money; it caIhe TO me from the
Virgin dc ID Esperanza, and the bonita
madre will not be vsxed If | use II to
cure thy mother
La Chata was SO overjoyed thai she
did not stop for a word Of thanks, but
ran without turning to the druggists
shop.
Truly ii was written that Moreniio
should not go 10 the Easter bull course.
But as there are always computations
in this world be did not on that account
pass less gay Sunday.
On that day Chata's mothers was bet.
ter. and the young girl came to the po-
sada court TO find and thank him for tho
service that he had done them. She had
also made for herself festival garment,
and with the rest Of the Blessed Virgins
money bought two blood red roses for
her raven tresses, and then she and Mo-
renito had gone to stroll along the Quad
alquiver under the towering orange
trees Of the Alameda
Spring had put know not what fame
in Chata's black eyes, and perhaps, too,
a tender sentiment had lent its aid 10
this illumination. | only know that
when they found themselves in a se-
cludcd corner formed by the myrtle
thickets, the young girl brusquely threw
her arms around Morcnite's Ioek with
frank;
81 love thee, comrade p
And that while the bells rang out tho
carols for the Faster service. the lips of
these two children tasted their first kiss
Of love