The herald., 1898-07-10
(Written for The Herald.)

DldCh, TlSlHS HedQ anu ohouiuoAS oNo'S
those around him. Beautiful women passed
him. dancing languidly to the seductive
music of Spanish waltzes. More than one
pair of dark eyes sent an unspoKen invita-
ton to the tall American, and the Senorita
Dona Inez de Quesada had motioned to MIN
twice with her fan, but he needed nothing
and did not even seem to notice that the
Sonora Macias ball was decided success.
In fact, Carter divers thoughts were
anything but pleasant and had strayed far
from the brilliantly lighted room. A. tri-
fling incident, occurring that morning, had
brought him troublesome memories, which
he found hard to Danish. He had been talk
ing his usual morning stroll along the
water 'front.' watching idly the small boats
in the harbor, which were making their
way toward white cruiser. anchored some
distance out from shore, and from which
floated the American flag. group of blue
uniformed sailors from the strange ship
stood near him, laughing and talking. Sud-
denly their chatter ceased for an instant,
and Oliver, turning slightly to note the
cause, had seen their hands raised in sa-
Lutte to an officer who was passing. One
rapid searching glance was enough. He
had turned away with muttered curse and
spent the remainder of the day in solitude
on the hills, seeking to avoid another en-
counter and a prey to the gloomiest of
thoughts, for in the American officer he
had seen the man who had made of him a
voluntary exile.
During that long, hot day on the hills Of
Santiago de Cuba the past came back to
Carter Oliver with a force. which made the
occurrences ten years gone seem like yes
terday. The brief period Of happiness dur
ing his two years Of married life rose be-
fore him like a mirage. He suffered again
in the discovery of his wifes unfaithful-
ness and the subsequent scandal attending
her flight with the man he had met that
morning. Since then he had been wan
derer, following his calling as civil engin-
eer in foreign lands. The gold mines Of
Brazil and the mountains of Switzerland
were equally familiar. He had watched the
Southern Cross in the skies of the tropics,
and had tramped through the bush OF Aus
tralia. The beauties of India and Mexico
had looked love into his eyes, and he had
seen the fandango danced In Andalusia.
He had made and thrown away fortune,
and acquired some fame, of which he was
careless. None knew him well, but those
who knew him best found him cynical and
reserved, brave almost to fault. and with
only one thing which he held sacred-and
that his word of honor. After travelling
over the world, he had finally settled in
Cuba, and had become well-known figure
in every part Of the island. Some American
investments sufficed for his simple mode Of
living, and he had been in Santiago nearly
two years.
All these things course6 through his
brain like the shifting colors of kaleide-
scope as he lay in the shade of palm,
smoking innumerable cigarettes. At sun
set he saw the American cruiser steam out
toward the open sea, and when nothing
could be seen of her but a faint line of
smoke he went down into the city. In
search of something to distract his mind
he remembered that he had promised to
attend the Sonora Macias ball, and late in
the evening he appeared at the scene of
festivities, his entrance causing quite a
stir, for all the Cuban beauties were great
ly interested in him. He, however, sought
no one for the dance, but leaned against the
wall, unconscious Of the charms around
him. Since the day when he had found
the woman who had been his wife miserable
and deserted in a small Canadian village.
and watched her die, relieving her wants,
It is true, but even to the last sternly re-
fusing her prayer for forgiveness. women
had been to him but beautiful playthings.
and many had suffered for the fault of one.
The music ceased and waves of perfume
air floated toward him, as the slowly prom
enading throng went by. He awoke from
his revere with start, suddenly conscious
of some compelling force which had
brought him back from land of dreams.
AS he lifted his eyes he met the steady
gaze of the Senorita Inez de Quesada. For
a moment the two gazed at each other
across the room, then, mentally shaking
himself together, oliver answered the I'M
spoken invitation in her eyes and sought
her side.
In all of the Spanish possessions, Old
World or New, 1t would be hard to find a
more beautiful woman than the Dona Inez,
and If she had reached her twenty fifth
year unmarried, 1t was not because of a
lack of suitors. To look once into her in
scrutable topaz eyes was to wish to look
forever. OF a race in whose veins flowed
the haughtiest blood of Aragon and old
CASTLE, her beauty was enhanced by her
royal air, and no one had ever disputed her
right to reign as queen over the social life
which surrounded her.
AS Oliver bent over the little white hand
which, after the American fashion, was ex-
tended to greet him. his eyes swept her from
The burning gold of her small, proud head
10 her tiny arched feet and then rested on
her face, as If satisfied with their scrutiny,
while he wondered idly at the faint rose
flush which had flckered over her ivory
skin.
1.-THE Senior Oliver pays but poor tribute
to the beauties of Cuba this evening"" she
said mockingly.
1.-THE Senorita Dona Inez de Quesada
charms" he replied in his courteous yet half
negligent way.
They chatted few moments of the up
risings which were then shaking the island,
she speaking scornfuly of the insurgents
power, and he picking his words carefully
as he answered for although his sympathies
were inclined to be with the rebels, he had
many friends on either side, and from a
feeling of loyalty to his own land Oliver
wished to be considered neutral as long as
possible In the troubles which threatened
TO end in war. He therefore greeted the
music which rang out again as a welcome
diversion, and offered his hand to his COM
oanion to lead her out on the floor, but she
around her. II must speak to you, and
alone. Gomez
He walked by her side down the room
and followed her, as needless of comment
md o1IriouS planoaS ha cteppad tbro,rh