The record-union., 1894-08-25


sive accord and chivalrous protfers OF
assistance.
There was strange pallor in the mans
face, but he spoke no answering word to
his friend.
In the early evening of February, in
1910. celebrated American statesman sat
upon the colonnaded portico OF the old
Hotel Almy, overlooking the beautiful
waters OF Havana Bay. AS the nominee
of a newly created political party. himself
defeated of election as President of the
United States and exhausted by the tur
moil of party warfare, he had for time
escaped them all, and, unaccompanIed,
was recruiting his energies in this sweet
Southern cline.
The Madrid Government had directed
the highest honors be paid him i'll Cuba.
Refusing all official and private enter
tainment, he had accepted only single
attendant and interpreter. at the courte-
sy OF fGovernor-General Tacon. This man,
brilliant young Virginian, a tutor III
many of the noble families of Cuba, had
become his inseparable companion, and,
just as around from the lookouts of Moro
Tower to the nights of Ell Principe, the
evening challenges OF the sentinels had
begun. he smilingly welcomed his young
friends approach.
A few low words OF greeting passed
between them, in which the elder man
expressed an unalterable determination
to accompany the Virginian upon some
strange adventure. The surprise, de-
light and gratitude, yet shame-faced pro-
tests OF the latter, were boundless. AT
last, perplexed, he tinorously inquired:
But in heavens name what kind of a
gypsy can we make of you?''
make me a dumb gypsy fiddlero
sententiously retOrted the other. Il have
linked and diddled' my elbow thou
sand times in old kentucky, and if
there's to be any trouble at Ell Dique to-
night, although Pm getting along in
years, you will find that my tlnger is still
pretty quick and sure at the trigger"
They sat there for, perhaps, an hour in
earnest conversation. Ii it could have
been overheard these interesting facts
would have been gathered: The Virgin
ian was the English tutor of the most
lovely and lovable senorita of Havana,
who was betrothed in marriage to a
titled Spaniard, one Don Enrique. The
latter, who had but lately, on the death OF
his father, the Duke of Teruel, fallen
heir to vast estates in Arragon, had,
through some strange influence, plunged
into most dissOlute life. The don and
donna were madly ii love with each
other. The marriage had been repeat
edly set. But each time at its near ap-
proach some hideous contretemps oc-
Cured. This had at last become a scan
dal in Havana society.
Tnereupon the chivalrous Virginian
took the field in the donna's behalf. He
at once discovered the secret destructive
influence. 1t was the mysterious power
of Count Basil de Orense. The Virgin
ian had sought his acquaintance, charged
him with his perhdy, flung at him re-
peated insults and challenges, only to see
Don Enrique become more and more
helpless and complicated IN the calmly
remorseless adventurer's clutches.
All this time Count Basil was paying
insidious and persistent court TO the
donna herself. Though she surmiSeu
his wretched power and loathed him, her
tutor, fully in her confidence, counseled
her to permit these addresses, through
hope of discovering some means of res
cuing the man she loved. But no good
came of it. Emboldened by his success
the patient and deyilish plans of Count
Basil were rapidly maturing.
Half way between Havana and Guines,
on the great calzada that trails between,
stood the famous gambling hell of EI
Diuue, then conducted in royal fashion.
Here Don Enrique was entrapped, piled
with wine, tempted by the most brilliant
lascivas of Spain, and enchained by the
human hends around him.
Rumors OF plays and losses in fabulous
sums over the tables of Ell Dique, flew
from lip to lip in the city. But meantime
the Count was frequently back in Ha-
vana, the social hero OF the hour, his
agents prompting the spreading of tales
of Don Enrique's ruin, and himself
pressing his attentions upon poor Felisa
with increasing fervor. The Virginian
had become convinced that the Counts
tinr sIun tr a 70
ruin and from ruin to suicide.
But the love OF a noble woman is SUBJ
tier and mightier than all the forces of
darkness.
The brave and heroic Felisa brought to
the Virginian her devoted old Tomasa
and parcel of gypsies, from the canyons
of Lluyano.
II will go disguised as one of these,
with them. Santa Maria! He shall re-
turn with mel" the desperate maiden
vowed.
And so this was the adventure. The
Virginian was determined to share the
fortunes of the band, and an American
stateSn1an's heart was SO SotG and tender
that he, too, could not be prevented from
Joining, i'll the disguise OF dumb gypsy
fiddler, the novel and dangerous mission
appointed for that very night.
"Remelnber the rendezvous-the ca
bano OF Tomasa, in the Baluarte quarter"
said the Virginian rising, 'and the hour
of 8, for we shall have two hours in the
saddle upon the Guines calZada."
Never fear" responded the statesman
sunnily. Nor will forget the pass for
our gypsy band which General Tacon
sent me, with his compliments at sun
set."
"GoodI But even without that, no
harm could come to US. promise you
as leader this night the most dreaded
and powerful man in all Cuba"
And with this the VirgInian walked
cheerily away.
"
At the same moment this singular
meeting was in progress at the Hotel
Almy, Governor-GeneralT Tacon sat alone
in the State Department of the palace,
over against the Plaza de Armas, pour
ing over new plans to rid the islands
from the increasing depredations of the
contrabandists and pirates, under the
leadership of the all powerful outlaw,