Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-07-16
HIS SPANISH GIRL.

on fine midwintcr night. As Ircmcm-
berCd him, he had been a sOciablc sort
of fellow, fond of gayety and pretty
girls, and there was a Cotillon going
on indoors III the ballroom IwOndcrcd,
too, where his wife was, for he had told
me he was married.
1t was six years since had last seen
him. We had been boys together, just
out of college, and l had visited him
for a summer in the southern part Of
the state, where his home had always
been and where his family was one of
the few "old" ones which could right
ly lay claim to gentility of other than
mushroom growth.
After that visit 1 had gone back to
San Francisco and TO a truly San Fran
cisco system of work, with the result
that my health and spirits had steadily
decreased, and at the end of these half
do.:any years l was obliged to come south
for long rest.
| had chosen this delightful and
quiet hotel in the hope that l might not
have my peace disturbed by any of my
numerous acquaintance, but here, the
first thing, came down upon US in our
retreat crowd Of workings from town,
bent on dancing cotillon. Barry had
come with them. Why, then, repeat
ed, was he not i'll the ballroom, and
where was his wife? Perhaps she did
not dance. But, in that case, why was
either of them with the frivolous party
that was turning our secluded spot into
bedlam?
For q moment longer / let my gaze
follow o girl in white satin, who had
fascinated me. She was very young and
brilliant and erect, with the face
painter would have chosen for Olym-
pia's, wreathed in vines and serpents.
A high, unnaturally white forehead,
with very black and very straight, thin
brows, eyes long and flashing and cruel,
large nose, suggestive of the Hebrew,
thin, red lips, continually parted in
wild sort Of smile over wonderful teeth;
brilliant color, "a long face, black hair,
parted and twisted low on one Of the
most columnar necks had ever seen.
1t was not beautiful face. In repose
it was far from beautiful, but it was
rarely in repose, and her laugh was the
most bewildering thing imaginable. If
she had been the heroine of q romance,
men would have loved and hated her to
the extent of the shedding of great
deal of blood, but in life today it is
hard cash, not women's faces, that &C.
complish that. l took one last look at
the demoniacal young face and then
went to hunt up Barry.
We had already met i'll the office, but
had not had time to exchange "a dozen
words. wanted to talk over old times
and new times, so, when l drew near
him, | scraped my feet and coughed,
as being the approved method of break
ing in upon tetes-a-tetes and meditation,
and when he started l said: "Hello!
That you, Barry" and took seat be-
side him on the bench. He offered me
cigar and gave me light, from which
l inferred / was not unwelcome.
''What arc you doing, incoming I'M
der pepper tree? 1t seems to me dane
ing's more in your line, or doesn't the
madam dance?"
Eyes; she Dances"
"Ohi" l said, and feeling slippery
ground, proceeded to avoid it. Game
down from town tonight with the par
ty, didn't you?' asked.
Eyes"
Heaps Of pretty women. y
"Do you think so? | admire your
northern WON .&more. They have more
distinction too. Ours fade early, be-
sides. -
"Well, there's one girl there, by
Jove, thai makes up for country Of
mediocrity-that witch of % tiirt with
the black hair and the very bare shoul-
ders who is dancing with Thornton If
didn't happen to have some one l like
better i'll the city, think I'd go in for
her. "
"But she's married, my friend
"No? Who's the proud possessor"
II am"
''YOu don't say? Since when?"
Hll1SS ANC years tSO llcdIlS
"Well, it's a little late, but permit
me to congratulate you She is superb.
Thanks. And then we lapsed into
Whence, and reflected upon the facility
with which q we'll meaning man may
put his foot in it,
"You wonder at my not dancing,
don't you?" he said abruptly. "Well 1
used to like it, like it now, but
found Mrs. Barry was already engaged,
SO there was nothing for me to do but
to order flowers gracefully and step out
hereto reflect and recall.
'Do you know" he went on, II had
romantic meeting and parting on this
spot once, right under this very tree
1t was just after l left you, six years
agO--the meeting. | had ridden out
from town on Noctunc You remember
her, the little black mare? [ was walk
ing her along a road which ran about six
feet from here, Just about where that
Bon Silene bush is (it was before the
days Of the hoteD, when all Of sud
den she SHE'D at what locked like abun-
die OF Old clothes under this tree NO,
no; l wasn't thrown, and / wasn't res,
cued by the heroine. 1t was not much
of a shy, just enough to make me look
again at the bundle and wonder yi,c'
it was-it was dusk you know-anC
then to notice that the bundle moved
Wherefore l concluded it was
woman, probably a Mexican. 1t was
woman, or very young girl, rather
and deuced pretty one-a Mexican too
could soc tZat, even in the twilight
for her eyes CLEANED in the dark as on
ly a pair of Mexican eyes can gleam
md there was an added brightness fo
she eyes were wet with tears How d
I know? / dismounted and found out
Children Cry 70