Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1896-01-03

to Cuba. He and his Spartan remnant
were these forlorn prisoners.
When they reached the Gale de 10
Lamparilla, one Of the narrow streets
OF the city, the guards suddenly halted
the column and reverently barred their
heads. A funeral procession was APP
proaching from the opposite direction,
and the line was pushed close toward
the houses jutting on the narrow foot
-, scarcely worth the name of side
walk.
A youth among the foremost prison
ers, who, evidently, had not the forth
t,lde 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.
"Amalial" he whispered.
"Robercito! Is it indeed you? Oh,
how terrible! did not dream you were
with Them
Dearest cousin, save me-" he re-
piled in Spanish as fluent as her own.
"NVo are all condemned to be shot in
two days, perhaps sooner. I am too
young to die"
"Would that I could, nino querido,
but, alas! 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 Amalia de
Valdez was dream of loneliness as
she reclined listlessly among the cush-
ions of lounge in her handsome salon.
Tall, eNquisitely formed, with jetty
tresses framing softly rounded face,
with midnight eyes" SO large, SO liq-
1lid, SO lustrous that her admirers ex-
hausted the affluence of their honeyed
tongues in praising them; with mouth
whose twin carnations, perfect in re-
pose, We're still more enchanting when
her smile disclosed the dazzling teeth
within-it is no wonder she was con-
eidered to be the beauty of beauties
in capital famed for the grace and
loneliness 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 in the
formal salutation with which Spanish
gentlemen greet all ladies.
"Beso v 10 pies, senorita."
She responded in the same fashion,
only kissing his hands (fgurativelyl
instead of his feet. But she looked pre-
occupied, sad, Respondent. He se.ted
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 least) absorbed in its perusal.
"Tell me, my SOUL" said he, "why are
you SO melancholy"
A sigh was the only response.
"Ah, yes! 1 know your tender heart
aches for the prisoners you must have
seen to-day. Poor fellows! Theirs
is terrible fate. But, tell me, what
is it you wished to ask me? Can there
be 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
but to command and will obey"
"Tia mia" said Analia, turning to her
aunt, 81 have mislaid my pearl bracelet
upstairs. Will you kindly look for it ?'
The duenna vanished as if she had
expected the request. On the instant
Amalia 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
a caress in words.
My life, with all my heart and SOUL"
he exclaimed, seeking to embrace her.
But she drew back.
mo, give myself only to him who
proves his love-
what can I do for you, beloved?
Dispose of me as you will for life"
ut is life ask. Sit here beside me,
dearest, and l will tell YOU"
She then related the scene 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 16. He came here
to perfect himself in Spanish, and I
inspired him with my own enthusiasm
for the Cuban cause. He has returned,
nlas! to die, unless you will save him
for my sake. Should he perish, call
never know another happy moment"
Antoine grew pale as he listened.
"You know that would yield my life
at your command willingly, but in this,
even were it possible, my honor is in
volyed. l cannot betray the flag
serve"
even when it sanctions butchery,"
she exclaimed, passionately. go! If
Roberto dies, 1 will never see your face
ngain-cold, cruel, so you are"
"Amalita, you cannot break my heart
thus. Ask me anything else"
"You are prodigal of words, senor,"
she began, scornfully, but with rapid
change of manner and tone rose and
threw her arms round his neck.
Antonio moi! I love you," she
sobbed. For you 1 would give up
home. relatives, country. Grant me
this one favor. Save that poor child,
and swear to become your wife in an
other month. You have said that il
would marry you you would resign
your hateful commission in the army