Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-11-10
LOVES SACRIFICE.
\ Cuban Romance.

Tat-tat-tat sounded in a dreary
monotone from the drums, and slow
". in single file, the miserable prison
ers came into view. Ragged, dirty,
uukempt, footsore, painting from the
blazing August sky, they were truly
a pitiable sight, though they held up
their heads detiantly, and smiled de-
risiveIy at the insulting epithets and
grimaces which the lower classes
heaped upon them, especially in the
vicinity of any officers residence.
The better classes of the Havanese
showed their sympathy in striking con-
trast to the jeers and jibes of the
baser sort-the men, by their sullen,
indignant looks; the women, by fire.
qucnt s0bs and tears and smothered
eXcIamatiOns.
The time was 1861, directly after
the capture of Crittenden, Lopez's
brave Lieutenant, in his ill-starred eX-
petition to Cuba. He and his Spartan
remnant were these forlorn prisoners.
When they reached the Gale de la
Iampalilla, one of the narrow streets
of the city, the guards suddenly halt
ed the column and reverently barred
their heads. A funeral procession
was approaching from the opposite
direction, and the line was pushed
close towards the houses jutting on
the narrow footway, scarcely worth
the name of a sidewalk.
\ youth among the foremost pris-
haI M
fortitude of his older companions,
Judging by his bowed head and deep
detection now looked up with a wan
smile Of recognition as pair Of
dark eyes trimming with tears gaZed
through a latticed window at the pitt
full sight.
"Amala," he whispered.
"RODercito. Is it indeed you? Oh,
how terrible! l did not dream you
We're with them"
Dearest cousin, save me-" he re-
piled in Spanish as fluent as her own.
We are all condemned to be shot in
two days, perhaps sooner. I am too
young to die
Would that l could, nino querido,
but, alas! l am powcrless as lamb
among wolves
'Amalia, don't say that! You have
friends among the Spaniards. For the
love Of my mother"
Forward. march, rang on the air,
and the weary column passed on to
the dungeons of MORO castle.
That night the Senorita Amalia de
Il nf 81;
she reclined listlessly among the cush-
IONS on Il lounge in her handsome sa-
ION. Tall, eXquisitely formed, with
letly tresses framing a softly rounded
lace, with midnight eyes" so large,
50 liquid, so lustrous that her admir-
erS exhausted the affiuence of their
honeyod tongues in praising them;
with mouth whose twin carnations
perfect in repose, were still more en-
chanting when her smile disclosed the
dazzling teeth within--it was no Won
der that she was considered to be the
oeduty of beauties in the capital
famed for the grace and loneliness of
It's women.
The young Captain Antonio de
hamon, who presently entered, was
SO enraptured with her appearance
mat only the presence of the inevi
table duenna restrained him from
throwing himself at her feet in real
iIy, as we'll as in the formal saluta-
uon with which Spanish gentlemen
greet all ladies.
Beso a V 10 pies, senorita."
n A.
oniy kissing his lands (fguratively)
instead of his feet. But sna looked
PFe-occupied, sad, Respondent. He
seated himself near her, while the
"uenna, her gentle Tia Maria, retired
10 distant corner.
Tell me, my SOUL" said he, "why
are you so melancholy?"
sigh was the only answer
An, yes! l know your tender heart
"cnes for the poor prisoners you have
seen to-day. Poor fellows! Theirs
Is a terrible fate. But tell me, what
Is 1t you wished to ask me? Can
mere be a wish of yours 1 would not
S'aufy at the risk of my life, if need
YEA l have your precious billet safe
, nere' and he pointed to his heart.
lou have but to command and I will
obey"
la mia," said Amalia, turning to
her aunt Il have mislaid my pearl
p'aceiet upstairs. VIII you kindly
lock for ft2''