Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-01-25

woods and mountain Businesses, but
from the valley edges below, where war
had blasted wales of peace, and un-
kempt parnarosas, granadillas and
countless tropical shrubs and flowers
still grew in rank profusion beside the
ruins of ancient plantation homes; for
here a host Of singing-birds which
loved the haunts of men still came with
plaintive, mournful songs.
Don Eduardo had made several at
tempts at departure. His donkey had
fattened upon the campside fare. His
pannlers were overlooking with speci-
mems. Every one had pressed him to
remain, save Tomasa and Jose. But
each time he looked in the face of the
girl who had been his sweet and loving
companion in every waking hour of this
strangest experience of his life, his
heart failed him entirely. Her magic had
seemed to pass from her very self into
and become part of every specimen he
had secured. 1t had wrought further
still. 1t had first taught this shrivellcd
specimen himself that subtler wizard
charm of perfect human companionship.
To Juanita it had opened a heaven
world OF aspiration, intangible, indie
Unable, but yaster and more ineffable in
its glory than the dome above her which
held the glowing stars. She stood at the
threshold of such world, longing,
hungering, painting for entrance; and
the don's going was as the closing back
ward upon her of some Eblis door for
ever.
But at last the partings had all been
said. Felix Wage felix viagel Dios
lie a compano p had been cheerily
shouted to the departing naturalist; and
at the edge of the camp the don, the
donkey and the bursting panniers were
receiving the last embraces and bless
ings of the giant-framed. sunny hearted
outlaw, Matagas.
Suddenly Juanita, machete at her side
and guiebrahaca stick in hand, stood
there beside them.
1.-The don shall not return by Cienfue-
Cos" said the girl quietly. 81 will
show him our secret path over the
mountains to Guines."
Good answered Matagas heartily.
HE will not reveal il"
And SO the outlaw andsthe naturalist
parted. Juanita turned the donkey's
head in the opposite direction; led it
and its burdens silently through the
camp; hesitated moment as the forest
was entered, and then, swiftly return
ing to Matagas and Tomasa, who had
contentedly resumed their labors, kissed
both impuisively with the parting
words, "Do not fear if it be late when
return " when she sprang again to the
donkey's head, and with her compan.
ion set forth upon their way.
But Jose was missed among the car.
boneros in their work that day. Early
in the afternoon he came bounding like
some fierce animal into camp, and
sought Matagas' side. But word or
two was spoken, when Matagas and
Jose swiftly disappeared. Never was
such speed made by Cuban foresters in
shadowy forests, through echoing
canons, across sun-baked llanos and
through almost impenetrable jungles,
as by these just as the sun was dip
ping behind the western mountains and
flooding the valley of Guines with
waves of saffron and of gold, they came
to the top of the hills along its splendid
southern wall. Standing there like a
Nemesis of vengeance, Matagas looked
lOHB anu SLtIHly Nv TWO SpeCkS trailing
along the far, white valley road, almost
beneath the walls of the ancient city of
Guines.
What he really saw was a donkey
now laden with panniers and the figure
of woman, while sprightly old man
walked beside them, his right arm rest
ing across the donkey's back and low
ingly encircling the form of the one
who rode.
Matagas' face grew dark and darker
for little. Then it softened in the
mellow sunset glow Soon his lips
parted, first with smile and then in
speech; as though he were thinking
aloud.
"No, no, Jose! So l once robbed To-
massa's father of my wife. Let them
| go-bugs, bats, birds and all; even if
Don Eduardo has taken to his Havana
collections the finest specimen in
Cuba ~
Felix Wage, felix Wage Don
Eduardo and Juanita Dios lie COM
paner' shouted Matagas deafeningly
but cheeringly withal. And without
another word the outlaw stole turned
his kindly face toward Tomasa and his
mountain hut.