Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-03-06
THE ORTIZ JEWELS.

THE ORTIZ JEWELS,
The heart of Porfirio was hot within
him. 'Chona-he ground his teeth as
he saw her-'Chona was coming down
San Juan street. from mass. And II
was only last night at the cascarone
ball, that her pertidy was discovered.
dog OF barber. and an American.
mat he was barber out at the grand
new Hotel del Monte -nattered not to
Porfirio. Enough that he was a bar
ber-and an American. Porfirio re-
membered too we'll the effect of his
remonstrances with 'Chona. It was in
moment when she was not dancing
like mad-for 'Chona was a belle,
More eggshells than she could count
had been broken upon her head and
her lnk-black braids were fairly crust
ed with the red and gold and green
tlnsel. But Portirio had spoken to her
kindly. Olga, she must not dance
again with that pig and poster!ty OF
pigs. And 'Chonn had merely smiled
and shrugged. lifting to her lap one OF
her heavy braids from where it trailed
foot on the floor. Even as he talked.
the band struck up a swinging Next
can air, and the barber came IN to
claim 'Chona for the dance. Porfirio
threw his hat on the floor 81 keel
him now!" he burst forth in English
for the BARRIERS benefit yes, you
XIII him now, before you forget"
Knocked 'Chona, who knew her Porfirlo
well-and off they whirled. Doubtless
she had danced with this beast the
rest of the evening. At any rate Por-
f1rio had come away; and now, to-day.
he saw on the edge of the wharf. look
Ing down at the restful green depths
and then over yonder to that trim
hgure picking It's dainty way along the
broken and quilted street 'Chona had
round, olive cheeks, great velvet ewes.
soft red mouth and bralds of let hair
that hung below her knees. There
were those who said it was coarse
Dios milo! Can one have everything2
She was not going back to the house
OF Senorta Ortiz till evening. Her
way led now to her own home. little
Old adobe near the beach. There with
the mother and the old grandmother
she would sit upon the adobe floor all
day, chattering in soft Spanish OF what
had been and what was to be, and she
did not even once look toward the
wharf
A February evening In Monterey Is
usually chilly, though too soon for the
fGpS' m oh
cheek as bats wing. 'Chona fitting
across the plaza to her employers
house, was startled by a touch upon
Der shoulder 1t was Mr.. Badgers the
barber. on noiseless feet-but not less
nolseless than Porfrios, a little way
behind
The barber's little black mustachc
was waNed. his hair was parted almost
between his brows; and about him
hung that wonderful perfume which is
native to barber shops. On his little
white hands were gloves-and 'Chona
sighed rapturously. Who in Monte
rey wore gloves? 1t was true that
Vicente Machado had a white cotton
pair but they were for funerals. These
were beautiful-such as the grand
ladies wore who drove over from Del
Monte.
In the plaza surrounded by heavy
syrlngas and laurestma, was a we'll
worn bench. There the two found a
seat; and not far away Poriirio took
shelter behind Towering shrub.
Chona was telling "Meester Bachois"
OF the glories OF the Senorita's Jewels
The Senorita Ortiz-rich? Well. do 7
believe 1t! a chest SO big, full with
diamonds and pearls and the lofely red
and green stones"
MIR. Badgers could not be impolite II
he tried. A little question, at least TO
show interest. Isn't she afraid she
will be robbed?"
But 'Chona scorned the idea. "None
OF US would" she said, conclusivelv
And as for the Americans, they can
not know where she keep thees chest
1t ees of a smart place she hat it hid
MIR Badgers amiably ignored the
chance to feel hurt; but he doubted II
Miss Cnona knew this smart place,
any better than the Americans did II
was some time before she could con-
vince him that the trusted maid OF
Senorita Ortiz knew as much about the
house as the lady herself.
But time waits not even to hear Of
CHESTS OF treasure. and 'Chona must
be going. Adios! AS they came in
sight Of The long. gray adobe, 'Chona
gave little cry. "She has gone her
self to bed!" For not a twinkle of
light could be seen. ...
On. yes, she could get in-but she
must be soft. Oh. no. the great lady
dld not live alone. There was Pas
curai. the gardener-but he is so old
and deaf he can not even hear mass.
'Chona ran her hand along the high
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