Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1895-12-05
LOVES SACRIFICE.

'ii'o 'io"' h<tSSeu, ulfty, ulkelupC
footsore, painting from the blazing Au.
gust sky, they were truly pitiable
sight, though they held up their heads
dctiantly, and smiled derisively at the
Insulting epithets and gri1naces which
the lower classes heaped upon them, es.
pecialiy in the vicinity of any officers
residence. The better class of the
Havanese showed their sympathy in
striking contrast to the jeers and gibes
OF the baser sort-the men, by their
sullen, indignant looks; the women, by
frequent sobs and tears and smothered
Explanations of LOS desgraciados!"
Que lastima! Dios los ayude!'
The time was 1851, directly after Tie
capture of Crittenden, Lopez's brave
lieutenant, in his ill-starred expedition
to Cuba. He and his Spartan remnant
were these forlorn prisoners.
When they reached the Gale de 10
Lalnparilla, one Of the narrow streets
OF tine city, the guards suddenly halted
the column and reverently barred their
heads. A funeral procession was APP,
pro.;eliing from the opposite direction,
and the line was pushed close toward
the houses jutting on the narrow foot
way, scarcely worth the name of side
walk.
a youth among the foremost prison.
ers, who, evidently, had not the forti-
tTde of his older companions, Judging
by his bowed head and deep detection,
owlooked up with wan smile of rec
ignition as a pair Of dark eyes brim-
ming with tears gazed through lat
ticed window at the pitiful sight.
"Amaiia!' he whispered.
"Hobercito! Is it indeed you? Oh,
how ter1ibIe! I did not dream you were
with them -
Dearest cousin, save me-" he re-
piled in Spanish as fluent as her OVID.
1--WE are all condemned to be shot in
two days, perhaps sooner. I am too
young to de-"
'Would that l could, nino querido,
but, alas! l am powerless as lamb
among wolves
"Amalita, don't say that! You have
friends, lovers, among the Spaniards.
For the love of my mother"
Forward, march," rang on the air,
and the weary column passed on to the
dungeons of Moro castle.
That night the Senorita A1nalia de
Valdez was dream of loneliness as
she reclined listlessly among the cush-
ions of IA lounge in her handsome salon.
Tall, eXquisitely. formed, with jetty
tresses framing softly rounded face,
with I'm midnight eyes" so large, so liq
Uid, so iustrOus that her admirers eN-
l.austed the aftluence of their honeyed
tongues in praising them; with mouth
whose twin carnations, perfect in re-
lose, were still more enchanting when
l,er smile disclosed the dazzling teeth
within-it is no wonder she was con-
sdered to be the beauty of beauties
in capital famed for the grace and
loveliness of it's women.
The young Capt. Antonio de Ramon,
who presently entered, was so enrap-
turea with her appearance that only the
presence of the inevitable duenna re-
strained him from throwing himself
at her feet in reality, as well as in the
formal salutation with which Spanish
gentlemen greet all ladies'.
'Beso Il V 10 pies, senorita."
She responded in the same fashion,
only kissing his hands (fguratively)
instead of his feet. But she looked pre-
occupied, sad, respondent. He seated
himself near her, while the duenna,
Der gentle Tia Maria, retired to dis
tant corner and, opening a prayer book,
was. soon entirely Ito all appearances,
iat ,least) absorbed in it's perusal.
4, Tell me, my soul,'' said he, why are
syou so melancholy?"
), "A sigh was the only response.
"Ah yes! I know your tender heart
aches for the prisoners you must have
seen to-day. Poor fellows! Theirs
is a terrible fate. But, tell me, what
is it you wished to ask me? Can there
be a wish of yours would not crafty
&at the risk of my life, if need be?
have your precious billet safe here"
and he pointed to his heart. "You have
Fbut to command and will obey"
.'Ti;t mia" said Amalia, turning to her
'.a,1nt, II have mislnid my pearl bracelet
upstairs. viii you kindly look for it?
2" The duenna vanished as if she hal
expected the request. On the instant
!, AAinalia said to him:
: "You have often sworn that you love
me to distraction, is it not SO, An
tonito?"" SHE'S
What happiness it was for him to
hear from her lips the diminutive ''ito"
added to his name, which, in itself, is
Z q Ecaress in words
MY life, with all my heart and SOUL"
she exclaimed, seeking to embrace her.
But she drew back.
! mo, give myself only to him who
proves his love-
What can l do for you, beloved?
Dispose of me as you will for life
ut is life ask. Sit here beside me,
dearest. and will tell you"
She then related the scene of the
s.niorning, her discovery that Roberto,
who had passed the previous winter
lin Havana with the family, was now
among the prisoners.
s.. ..'He is the son of my favorite aunt
so young, barely 16. He came here
Ito perfect himself in Spanish, and !
inspired him with my own enthusiasm
for the Cuban cause. He has returned. /
alas! to die, unless you will save him
!. for my sake. Should he perish, can
never know another happy moment"
h Antoine grew pale as he listened.
ss9ou know that would yield my life !
eat,yonr command willingly, but in this,
aeven We're it possible, my honor is i'm
.tolyed. cannot betray the flag
serve"
Y SEVEN when it sanctions bntchery,"
she exclaimed, passionately. go! If |
Roberto dies, will never see your face
again-cold, cruel, SO you are"