New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-15
" BRAVA TORERA!"

summer
vas shining radantly on the city OF sevii'e. GER
ct, hoans sbooting through a high stained win
dow Of the old cathedral. found their way aslah'
., tho nicture Of St Anthony OF Padua, ano'
,,s,,ns there Illuminated the profile OF the SAINT
,,p,saf Far down below in the dim aisle. kneit a
girl whose upturned face be .rdyed deep aomira-
tion of the masterpiece hangnt from the wall.
The impress Of admiration was Suicky loho"eu
by one of gratitude as bending her heao 'o""iu
~ orourd she muttered prayer for "the great
,tur,llo Her benedction ended. she rose ana
SLOWLY left the building Emerging from the
shadows Of the porch. the glare OF day displayed
her as A young woman of the poorestclass' piacK-
owed red-lipped. beautiful She was Hover girl
bv trade but the grace and dignity wnch III
>as,ea her supple figure would have done credit
70 a sovereign princess Dark mar waved aoou'
her low smooth forehead and softened the bold
en1 yivacious expression Of the eyes. sweet
womanly mouth was hers. made to smile or kiss.
and saved from the reproach Of pouting by an
unlooked-for squareness of the Jaw. 1t was evil
a., she could be determined II she chose. But
inst at the present moment she did not choose
She was dreaming sweetly Of the picture In the
baptstery.
Wandering onward, Leona presently reached
The bridge over the parapet OF which she leaned
and watched the widening waters of the Guadai-
ouivir Thus engaged, she did not notice COM
motion which arose among the numerous beggars
and other loterers in the immediate Vicihity'
Every one making way FOR gentleman ap-
parently Of high birth. who was vending hither-
ward from the further side OF the bridge SUD
5enlv he stopped short few PAGES from the
fower-girl and scanned her classic features. his
keen scrutiny at length pierced the haze which
had taken possession of Leona's faculties
and she became aware that she was
being stared at intently. She was accustomed 10
this kind of thing. and turned abruptly ABOUT 10
face her critic. But II was Murillo himse1 VINO
stood before her. She knew him at once-eVery
one in Seville knew him Her bold eyes filled with
distress and rapidly dropped while the carnations
in her basket not of deeper hue than the
cheeks above them. Murillo approached and pur-
chased some flowers.
What are you called?" said he.
"Ieona. la forera senior" replied the girl coup
ling her trade with her name.
Would YOU not sit, to for Magdaena?
Would you not let put you in one OF my
pictures?'
Poor Leona's memory at once flew back TO the
cathedral pictures full of dignifed figures
"Leona has no mant!lla senior She has nothing
but these" and she showed her rags
80 much the better" replied the painter. Il
want to paint you. not a mantla. Promise to
come to the Academy tomorrow at noon, and ask
for Bartolomeo Murlllo'
The Arrangement was soon made. though with
much diffidence on Leona's side while the painter
pursued his way. simply fascinated with this
model for Magdalena.
AS for the flower girl. she escaped impatiently
from crowd of inquirers. and walked swiftly in
the opposite direction. 1t wanted few minutes
10 u as she turned sharp round on TO the river
beach Making her way under the nearest arch
rhe sat down on a block f stone In the shade and
commenced to smooth back her hair.
Twelve o'clock struck. The last stroke had
hardly ceased vibrating when mans figure ap,
preaching caught her eye. She evidently expected
him for she looked another way.
He was d nedium-szed man. fisherman by
occupation; but fair for Spaniard stu, a
Span.ard he was. and his name Mequnez HIS
blue eyes. with a far-off look in them, ana ms
small hands certainly did not harmonic with the
dress Of a piscador. Perhaps he had mistaken his
profession Leona said he should have been a
poet. for he had made pretty verses on herseit
and had put them to the guitar.
What flower from the gardens Of princes
can compare with the rose Of Seville?
Meqdinez began to chant as he sat down at her
1T is Mequinez" cried the girl. without turning
her head Il know him by his his s dapo ..na r
know her by her pretty ankle" And, bending
forward. he kissed her sunburned foot
member under the shelter OF her ragged skirt.
Then she turned on him, her cheeks all agow; and
with JOY al her heart and reproof on her tongue,
she made the arch resOund with TRADE against
the .nsolence Of fishermen in general. and Of Me-
quinez in particular SO loud. indeed. was her
tone that the words were articulate to the ear OF
q certain bOatman who was lying down full length
In his shalop anchored hard By.
This boatman not there by chance. He was
there to watch and grow Jealous over the inter
views of Leona and MeQuinez To Leona be bore
the relationship Of cousin. but was aidently de-
sirous OF forming much closer tie. But Mequinez
was in the way. The problem Of life then. for
Vicente was 70 remove that same Mequinez. As
the lips Of the fortunate lover touched the orera
foot. Vicente changed from swarthy to ashen pale
j was past endurance. Mequinez should no
longer block the light out OF his life
peace. querida peace" said Mequnez my
lips shall not mutiny again until-unti-such time
as lose command over them. And now let me
hear something about yourself How have you
Jared this morning"
''Ah. You drove it quite out Of my head with
your kissing" replied the girl, with flash OF
recollection.
Tell me what 1t was drove out of your pretty
head sweetheart, so that may drive it in again
In the same fashion.
Keep your distance. senior p'scador. nave
new admrer.'
I'm" quoth Mequnez who used to this
kind OF news. which had grown undressing
from frequent repetition.
Not piscador this time" went on Leona. with
wel-feigned contempt for her lovers profession.
Not even a mercd dor. But a gentleman-a gen
tleman Of high birth. with velvet to his doubiet
and ring to his fnger'
Mequnez moved his head slowly round to see
II II were jest Leonas face was grave ana
haughty. He lifted himself on one elbow and
looked az her again. Leonas face was sun grave
and naughty.
HIM" said he tell me the rest.
He bought flowers Of me on the bridge. not hair
an hour ago and he has asked me 10 meet him
tomorrow" she continued.
Mequnez sat up rigid a weaving beam.
You refused of course" said he. trying TO APP
pear unconcerned.
quite wrong. The meeting is arranged, and
have pledged myself TO it,
Now Il was the turn Of MeQuineZ to look grave.
Are you not putting your fingers too near the
fire leona?" asked he. Are you not bringing
your wings too near the fame?
II am free to do as ] choose. she replied. with