Connecticut western news., 1894-08-09
JACQUITA.

Midway between Europe and Africa, its shores washed by the blue waters of the Mediterranean, lies the little island of Minorca Out of the beaten line of travel, overlooked by energetic tourists, it holds its only direct communication with civilization through tramp steam CTS and an occasional yacht.
 Minorca has we'll nigh forgotten the outside world, and with true southern indolence dreams over its own petty in terests unless wakened to sudden but 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 monotony of the fiat 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 cliff oyerhanging the harbor and the city is plaza called the Alameda, where few ilex trees afford a 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 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 the intense southern beauty of the peas ant idealized. Her black hair waved off low forehead, guiltless of the l pointed ''friz" which disfgured the face of those who ape the Parisian fash | ion. Her brows were heavy, and her dark eyes, riveted on the harbor below, seemed to reflect the sunset light. She was watching a large yacht which with all sails set, was gliding slowly, like some stately bird, to its anchorage
 The rattling of the anchor chains reused her and broke the. long silence which she had so consistently man tained with her companion, a young man of Spanish type A mixture of northern blood frightened his olive com | plexion and refined his sensuous southern features His waist was circled by a red sash, and-his workworn hands twist ed bright colored turban, fashioned from large handkerchief.
 His passionate gaze contrasted strangely with the girls indifference. La Bella Jacquita'.' she was called, | and we'll did she deserve her name! 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 transfigure the girls fair face.
 The distant church clock struck 6. Rising, she drew the folds of her man tilla closer, and lifting her eyes to his said softly, "A Riverdel, Felipe"
 His gaze met hers-pride, anger, pas sion ill his eyes Mastering his excite. ment, he spoke: "Jacquita, be careful am not like those silly lads who come and go at girls nod. Today offer you my life, my heart! 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 half mockine smile on her lips. Again he spoke:
 s'I know you are La Bella of Ma hon, but I, too, have pride! Keep youl scores of admirers, but know that iron today there is one less-one man nor, is nothing in the tale of your conquests You are La Bella, and the man whc makes you love him must needs be nor, than hu1nan-stronger than Felipe Never again will be ridiculed, mocked as have been todayp'
 Jacquita trembled slightly, but stil smiled. She waited. Then, looking up she said, Felipe, I am sorry''- bu Felipe had gone.
 That night Jacquita wept with fear excitement and the triumph of having brought Felipe so low as to beg her a he had done that evening. ''He will re turn, thought she. "They always do.
 Next day the party from the yach made the tour of the town A little bo, of about 6 years of age was the life am center of interest of the group. Clad il a sailor suit, his golden curls wavinl under his white cap, he formed stroni contrast to the dark skinned childrel who stared as he passed them by. retty blond girl followed with an eld- r rly gentleman, and as she went along Tacquita, seeing her exquisite fairness, bought, tThe angels must look like hatp'
 All that day Felipe came not, and the beech of gentle reproof which Jacquits lad prepared was not delivered. She , began to wonder whether she had bet. CT accept him. The fun would then bt
 yer, but-supposing the other thing -~zx-ll l~a aS xntl.tnp Ea1iv,.