, 1898-10-29
A SPANISH LEGEND.

In heart of the capital of Mexico lies
a short block known as the Gale de
Don Juan Manuel. In this street, but a
moments walk from the Plaza Mayor.
stands one of the Oldest houses built by
the Spanish dons.
1t is of stone, three stories high, or
namented with balconies along the two
upper stories, and with the close set
stone innacles on the roof that signify
the abode Of Spanish nobility. At right
angles with the row Of pinnacles and
pointing menacingly toward the street
lie battery Of sham cannon carved out
of stone that in reality are great drain
pipes. They project into the air go far
that they empty the tropical rains be-
yond the limits of the sidewalks into
the cobble paved street. These are for
utility, of course, but they chance to be
the most decorative feature Of this
quaint facatS.
Inside thi.s noble structure, the arches
of the patio, now, alas, divided by dis.
figuring walls, span go feet Of stone
paved floor and spring 80 feet upward
into the great quadIangular space. Mas
sive stone stairways, with a broad and
shallow step, slope gently upward to the
magnificent living apartments Of Don
Juan Manuel. Gayly painted carpets
may stisl be seen on the deep set %"rise"
Of every step, and tracings linger on tho
edges Of the depressions worn by the
countfess footballs of Don Juan Manuel,
hfu rlNhIn utrifDrc kto 1ack wot{rro ~
servlahts and his descendants.
Once on the upper landings Of the
kl6irway, which was evidently devised
az o means to an end, not az a feature
Of architectural development. II looks
back on n region Of stony gloom which
now, az it has always been. is used for
servants quarters and storerooms. Even
on the upper floor the windows are iron
barred, but they are numerous and large
and the apartments are spacious and
we'll proportional. The drawing room,
40 feet square, is reached through an
antesata. that is a study in itself, for
on Its high walls is spread In black and
white tho story Of Paul and Virginia.
Rugged rocks and tossing eeas sylvan
and outrageous woods, depict the
scene of this lovers tragedy, while the
hero and heroine wander arm in arm,
often pausing for a fond embrace.
through devious paths to their sad
doom.
In the midst Of this splendor and tho
rich furnishings brought over seas in
Spanish galleons, lived the priceless or
nament Of the house Of Don Juan Man.
uel, his young ard beautiful wife. Each
day he said to himself, "She Is more
beautiful, more charming. more true,
and ] am ~unspeakably blessed in her
love" But NJ day the thought came
to him that he was growing old. For a
long time the devotion Of his lovely wife
had deceived him into the belief that
years did not matter. But at last he
was forced to realize that the care Of
his great estates needed a younger head.
He would send to Spain for his nephew
and thus give himself more time for do.
mestio felicity. Happy thought The
nephew came, met his youthful and
beautiful aunt, devoted himself to col.
leoting his uncle's tithes, md staid.
II the world lacks a proverb, it is one
applicable to the blindness Of the old
and doting husband and the adroitness
Of his young and beautiful wife. But
in time even Don Juan Manuel became
suspicious. and from suspicion to jeal.
ousy the step is but q short one Spend
ing his evenings by the side Of his wife,
Don Juan Manuel suddenly began to
absent himself night after night. At
nrst the young wife wondered and was
alarmed at she knew not what, but
600 she begged her husband to remain
with her, because it was reported that
every night q murder was committed in
the Gale de Don Juan Manuel. Every
night the Waterman would see . tall
figure. wrapped in the long, black,
Spanish cloak, pacing back and forth
the limit Of the short street. Whose
this black figure was NO Waterman
could tell-or would. When 1t appear.
ed, the street became suddenly deserted,
and slowly and solemnly the tall man,
with bent head, marched mp and down
to the lonesome echo Of his tread.
Sometimes for hours no other form was
visible throughout the length Of the
calle, but younger and keener eyes
might have seen, stealing out on the
upper balcony Of the house of Don Juan
Manuel, the young wife whom he had
looked In her chamber. Beneath the
shadow Of the great stone water pipes
she would crouch and wait and watch.
Al last, q stranger or an overbold
citizen Of the street, not believing the
stories Of nightly murder, would turn
his steps into that Iona place. Directly
he would be met o. overtaken by the
allow pacing figure in the hong black
cloak. "Stranger, 1t would say, ''canst
thou tell me the hour Of the night?
The stranger, unsuspecting danger CT
tmid In the commanding presence,
would open his cloak and take out his
sepeater. when--deathf Straight to his
hsaft pierced the double edged dagger
carried. y tha tall, black figure that
pacsd IN. Gale Dc Don Juan Manuel.
"xortunats ID the man who knows the
hqur O ihis death sfthe figure said, and
- quickly - II had gone home 10 the
lie fqept - quiukly, Was the dagger
WttAdtnWn. wiped .uppA the cloak Of
t. taltsa man, sheakhed Ii n morocco
eAbs M sspiacsd q ~ folds az it,
eanas1cloak. 1n11nA1y ~ p6csnR ny
~ Woala diappsazym 1ttseisa 10 him.
~ .aAis
81 ~ ssssAse ~ 1asAswssla b.
- ianbAaA etsthanaasuse