The National tribune., 1898-06-02

! across his nose a pair of spoctacles, h,
| examined himself in the looking glass
/ and was so satisfied with his appearance
that he decided on commencing his visit:
:! the following day.
AS / had anticipated, the reappearance
I'm the world of Capt. Juan Porras made q
great sensation. and soon the conse-
quence was that Senior Don Pablo, the
| eminent French physician-most especi.
| ally the clever oculist-was much spoken
| of. From all quarters patients came to
me. Notwithstanding my youth and in
| experience, my first success gave me
| such confidence that performed several
| operations upon persons afflicted with
| cataracts, which succeeded most fortu-
nateiy. / no longer Sufficed to my large
! connection, and in a few days, from the
| greatest distress, / attained perfect opu-
lence; | had carriage-and-fOur in my
stables. ] could not, however, notwith-
standing this change of fortune, resign
myself to leave Don Juan's house, out of
gratitude for the hospitality he so gener-
ously offered me. In my leisure hours he
kept me company, and amused me with
the recital of his battle stories and per-
sonal adventures. / had already spent
nearly six months with him, when a
circumstance, which forms an epoch in
my life, changed my existence, and COM
peeled me to quit the lively Captain.
An American friend often called my
attention in our walks towards young
lady in mourning, who passed for one Of
the prettiest senOras of the town, Each
time we met her my Anne lean frie d
never failed to praise the beauty of the
Marquesa de Las Salinas. She was about
Is or 10 years of age; her features we e
both regular and placid; she had beauti-
full black hair, and large, expressive eyes;
she was the widow of a Colonel in the
guards, who married her when almost a
child. The sight of this young lady pro-
duced so lively an impression upon me,
that / explored all the salons at Binon-
doc, to endeavOr to NEE her elsewhere
than in my walks. Fruitless attemptsl
The young widow saw nobody. / almost
despaired of finding an opportunity of
speaking to her, when one morning q
ma i've came to request me to visit his
master. | got into the carriage and set
of, without informing myself of the name
of the sick person. The carriage stopped
before.the door OF one of the finest houses
in the FaubOurg OF Santa Cruz. Having
examined the patient and conversed a
few minutes with him, went to the table
to write prescription; suddenly / heard
the rustling of silk dress: turned
round-the pen fell from my hand. Be
fore me stood the very lady l had 30 long
sought after-appearing to me as In
dream! My amaZement was 20 great hat
/ muttered a few unintelligible words, and
bowed with such awkwardness that she
smiled. She simply addressed me to in
quire the state OF her nephew's health,
and Withdrew almost Immediately. As to
myself instead of making my ordinary
calls, | returned home, questioned Don
Juan minutely about Madame de Las
Salinas; he entirely satisfied my curiosity.
He was acquainted with all the family of
this youthful widow, and they were highly
respected in the Colony. The next morn
ing, and following days, / returned to this
charming widow, who graciOusly conde-
seconded to receive me with favor. These
details being so completely personal
pass hem over. Six months after my
first interview with Madame de Las Sa-
linas, | asked her hand, and obtained it.
had therefore found, at more than S 900
| leagues from my country, both happiness