The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-27
copyright. 1885. by Bachelor. Johnson and
4. Bacheller.l
PART III.

PART III.
The evening after the bull fight was
Dona Blanca Velasco's tertulia, or even
ing at home. That lady was reposing
her ample form after the fatigues of
the day, In q rocking chair, awaiting
her guests in a state of semi-somnol-
ence. Gloria and Manuela were seated
on low seats near the window, talking.
Manuela's face bore an expression of
great sweetness and at the same time
q sadness, which might be accounted
for by the fact that death had deprived
her of her nearest relations, and she
had come almost a stranger to her
fathers native land.
She had been devotedly fond of her
only brother Rafael, a wild scapegrace,
who, some years previously. after get
ting into more than ordinarily seri-
Gus scrapc in London, joined the Car
lists In the north of Spain, and had
fallen in one Of the nameless skirmishes
which were features in that unlucky
war.
The conversation of the girls was in
Aerrupted by the entrance of Fausto
with Paco Ramirez.
"What news of Guapito?" asked
Gloria-
"Good. He is bruised and shaken
and one thigh is somewhat torn, but he
win be well before the carnival" re-
piled Fausto.
This comes of having bull fights
out of season. If the first bull fight of
the season had been on Easter day, as
1s natural and proper, this accident could
never have happened" said Paco.
"Itis the fault of that Italian prince;
he desired particularly to see one and
could not stay here any longer" said
Gloria.
Let him be content with novillos." !"
grumbled Psco, who, as an aficionado,
resented anything not completely zen
rcgle" ina bull fight.
Ramon San Miguel now came In, and
sitting down beside Manuela, spoke to
her In Q low voice.
''They tell mo you nearly tainted at
Tho corrids, Manuelita; / wish you
would refuse to witness that cruel
sport"
"My aunt and cousin go. lido not like
10 be singular" said Manuela, with an
air of CONFUSION.
"Alma mial Everyone knows never
70 to them, and In Spain girl who Is
seen In public without her novio is
more singular than one who refuses to
60 TO bull fights"
ut 10 terrible efascination--you can-
not understand-you do not KNOW
faltered she.
mo indeed, do not know, I wish I
did," said Ramon. gravely.
Az the valesco's carriage turned into
the Prndo the first day of the carnival,
black velvet mask in a plumed hat
sprang lightly on the step.
"Senoritas miasl" cried he, Offering
. box of bonbons to the girls. al had al
most given you up and gone off with
the wife of the Japanese ambassador.
What have you done with Paco, Gloria
And ls Ingiesita, where is her novio2 2
Look how sad and silent she sitsl Shall
I fetch Ramon, Manuela?" Manuela,
who was not used to the boundless
licenso allowed to masks in carnival
Iti1na In Spain, was rather taken aback,
the squeaky voice close to her ear, tho
amcanny eyes glaring out of the eye
'holcs In the mask half frightened her.
Gloria, however, was quite In her elc-
tment, and answered for her:
"Yes, yes, go and fetch our novios,
sjnce you are so ungallant as to desire
their presence"
mot l." replied the Black Mask who
mao now opened the carriage door ano
lseated himself on the edge of the seat
beside Manuela. 81 am quite content
TO keep the two prettiest girls on the
Paseo to myself. All! well aimedl" As
Gloria, taking q handful of bonbons.
threw them at a masked estudiantina
who stood drumming a guitar on the
edge of the foot path. He Immediately
left of drumming, slung his guitar on
his back, and ran after them. At the
same moment Devil all In scarlet, with
long tail which he held in his hand and
kept waving to and fro. climbed up the
barouche from the back and sprawled
IN tho hood Just behind Manuela and
Dcna Blanca, who occupied the front
seat. They did not perceive him, but
Gloria, sitting with her back to the
horses, did, and was about TO exclaim,
when he made an imperative sign of
silence, and she ,;Saused, not wishing to
spoil sport IL some fun were intended.
In tho meantime the estudiantina, in
S~hom she had recognized her novio
iPaco, overlook them, and chattering
with him she forgot to pay any more at
ltention TO the Devil. The black mask
WAS looking straight in Manuela's face;
Ishe cast her eyes down and played with
lher fan; he bent nearer and nearer; and
as he did so the scarlet hood Of the
Devil crept closer 10 them over the back
of the carriage. Suddenly from the lips
of the Black Mask came the words,
spoken for her alone: This evening at
eight, behind The zarzuela theater, as
usual"
Manuela started violently and turned
towards the Black Mask with opening
f1fua buf he enrang IN fbo ,yround M