Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-07-17
JACQUITA.


 evanescent activity by some event out of the common.
 The largest city-Port Mahon-clam- bers up and down the cliffs of its lovely harbor in an aimless way, and on first approaching two things strike you, the dazzling whiteness against the intense blue of sea and sky and the ponotony of the flat roofed, chimneyless houses.
 The cobble paved streets are marvel ously clean, and the people, in their quaint, gay costumes, stand out with picturesque effect against the stuccoed walls which line the way.
 On Q cliff overhanging the harbor and the city is a plaza called the Alameda, where few ilex trees afford q grateful shade. On one of the low stone benches many pleasant hour may be dreamed away, watching the shadows chase each other over the swelling hills and mead ows beyond. Now and again the soft wind waits perfume from the almond blossoms which lie like flakes of snow on the bare fields stretching away to the blue water.
 One evening not long ago n young girl was seated on the low wall watch ing the sun sinking in the cloudless sky. The usual three cornered man. tilla draped her graceful head, and her long, slender fingers toyed with the ends hanging over her shoulders. She represented one of the better class, with tho intense southern beauty of tho peas ant idealiZed. Her black hair waved off a low forehead, guiltless of the pointed ''friz'' which disfigurcd the face of those who ape the Parisian fash ion. Her brows were heavy, and her dark eyes, rivcted on the harbur below, seemed to reflect the sunset light. She was watching large yacht which, with all sails set, was gliding slowly, like some stately bi-,l, to its anchorage.
 The rattling of the anchor chains reused her and brole the long silence which she had sc consistently usr. .iiI-- iiI--' tained with her conhSTnf1T-a young man or SpSnlyh type. 4 mixture of northern blood frightened his olive com plexion and refined his scnsuOus southern features. His waist was circlcd by n red sash. and his workworn hands twist ed a bright colored turban, fashioned from a largo handkerchief.
 His passionate gaze contrasted strangely with tho girls indifference. ''La Bella Jacquita'' she was called, and well did she deserve her namcl What was he that he should win her. after all?
 Jacquita looked up and smiled.
 As when the sun. breaking through the clouds. bathes the fields in warmth and light, so did that smile transfigurc the girls fair face.
 The distant church clock struck q. Rising. she drew the folds of her man. tilla closer, and lifting her eyes to his said softly, "A Rivertel. Felipcr' His gaze met hcrs-pride. anger. pas sion in his eyes. Mastering his excite ment, he spoke: "JacquitA. bc careful! I am not like those silly lads who come and go at n girls nod. Today I offer you my life, my hcartl A mans dearest hopes and desires have laid bare. How have you answered?"
 He waited. Jacquita pushed the gravel petulantly with her foot, watch | ing the pebbles fly, with q half mocking smile on her lips. Again he spoke: ''I know you are La Bella of Ma | hon, but l. too. have pride! Kccp your scores of admirers, but knC V that from | today there is one lcss-uns man more is nothing in the tale of your conqucsts. You arc La Bella, and the man who makes you love him must needs he moro than human-stronger than Felipe. Never again will be ridiculed. mocked, as have been todayl"
 Jacquita trembled slightly, but still smiled. She waited. Then, looking up. she said, Felipe, am sorry''- but Felipe had gone
 r,srhf Tanps,sta xt-tth fnar- | excitement and the triumph of having brought Felipe so low as to beg her as | he had done that evening. He will re- turn, thought she. They always do. |" Next day the party from the yacht made the tour of the town. A little boy of about years of age was the life and center of interest of the group. Clad in | a sailor suit, his golden curls waving under his white cap, he formed n strong contrast to the dark skinned children | who stared as he passed them by. A pretty blond girl followed with an eld- erly gentleman, and as she went along Jacquita, seeing her exquisite fairness, thought, '"The angels must look like thatp'
 All that day Felipe came not, and tlssS speech of gentle reproof which Jacquita had prepared was not delivered. She began to wonder whether she had bet ter accept him. The fun would then bo over, but-supposing the other thingi Life would be as nothing with Felipe left outl
 Evening came and found Jacquita | and her mother seated at their door con- versing with the neighbors, leaning out | of window or strolling past The ''sum- mer-winter. as they call our ''Ipdiai1 summer" fingered late that1S