The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-12-05
LOVES SACRIFICE.

y
sight, though they held up their heads
defiantly, and smiled derisively at the
insulting epithets and grimaces which
the lower classes heaped upon them, es-
pecially 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
eXclamations of Los desgraciadosl"
Que lastima! Dios los ayude!"
The time was 1851, directly after the
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 Ia
Lamparilla, one of the narrow streets
OF tine city, the guards suddenly halted
the column and reyerently barred their
beads. A funeral procession was APP
proGching 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
crs, who, evidently, had not the forti
tIide of his older companions, judging
by his bowed head and deep detection,
now looked up with wan smile of rec
ognition as pair of dark eyes brim-
ming with tears gazed through lat
ticed window at the pitiful sight.
"Amalia." he whispered.
"Robercito! Is it indeed your Oh,
how terrible! did not dream you were
with them"
Dearest cousin, save me-" he re-
piled in Spanish as fluent as her own.
I've are all condemned to be shot in
two days, perhaps sooner. l am too
young to die"
Would that could, nino querido,
but, alas! l am powerless us q 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 Vi MOIIO ChSIlGs
That night the Senorita Amalia de
Valdez was d dream of loveliuess as
she reclined listlessly among the cush-
ions of lounge in her handsome salon.
Tall, eXquisitely formed, with jetty
tresses framing a softly rounded face,
with midnight eyes" so large, so liq-
lid, so Iustrous that her admirers en-
hausted the affiuence of their honeyed
tongues in praising them; with mouth
whose twin carnations, perfect in re-
pose, were still more enchanting when
her smile disclosed the dazzling teeth
within-it is no wonder she was con-
in capital famed for the f,rgsee~..--t.-
leveliness of its women.
The young Capt. Antonio de Ramon,
who presently entered, was SO enrap-
tured with her appearance that only the
presence of the inevitable duenna re-
strained him from throwing himself
at her feet in reality, as we'll as III the
formal salutation with which Spanish
gentlemen greet all ladies'.
''Beso Il V 10 pies, senorita."
DllS ICopOliICd III IllC SCttlIC IuSIllOu,
only kissing his hands (fguratively)
instead of his feet. But she looked pre-
occupied, sad, respondent. He seated
himself near her, while the duenna,
her gentle Tia Maria, retired to dis
tant corner and, opening prayer book,
was soon entirely Ito all appearances,
at leGst) absorbed in its perusal.
Tell me, my SOUL" said he, why are
you so melancholy"
A sigh was the only response.
'Ah, yes! l know your tender heart
aches for the prisoners you must have
seen to-day. Poor fellows Theirs
is u terrible fate. But, tell me. what
is it you wished to ask ms? Can there
be wish of yours l would not crafty
ut the risk of my life, if need be?
have your precious billet safe here"
and he pointed to his heart. You have
but to command and [ will obey"
Tia mia, said Amalia, turning to her
aunt, Il have mislaid my pearl bracelet
upstairs. VIII you kindly look for it ?"
The duenna vanished as if she hal
expected the request. On the instant
Amala said to him:
You have often sworn that you love
me to distraction, is it not SO, An
tonito?"
What happiness it was for him to
hear from her lips the diminutive Ito"
added to his name, which, in itself, is
q caress in words.
MY life, with ali my heart and SOUL"
he exclaimed, seeking to embrace her.
But she drew back.
mo, l give myself only to him who
proves his love-"
What can l do for you, beloved?
Dispose of Inc as you will for life"
''lt is life l ask. Sit here beside me,
dearest, and will tell you"
She then related the scens of the
morning, her discovery that Roberto,
who had passed the previous winter
in Havana with the family, was now
among the prisoners.
He is the son of my favorite aunt
SO young, barely 10. He came here
to 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"