The National tribune., 1899-06-01

nriestess of Mexico, both of whom urged
him on with smiles, while pointing to a
group of palm trees, under which re-
clined the long lost maid OF Almeria.
The cross OH -rubleS shone upon her
breast, and her downcast eyes regarded
il with "a gaze -Uf sadness; hut, ever and
anon, as the cavalier vainly strove TO
approach, and called TO her with his
voice, they were raised UPON him in
tears; and the hand Of Leila was up
lifted, with a melancholy gesture, to-
wards heaven. With such a vision, re-
peated many times in his brain, varied
only by changes of place, ffor now the
scene was transferred to the deserts OF
Barbary, now the fair wales Of Rhodes,
and now tee verdant borders OF TeZcuco,
he struggled through many hours oi tor
ture; and, at last, awokc, as a peal oi
thunder, bursting on the scene, drove,
terrified, away, as well his guides as the
maid OF his memory.
As he started from his couch, confused
and hewildered, the thunder seemed still
10 roll with distant murmurs, over the
city. His practiced ear detected, in these
peals the explosions of artillery, min
gled with volleys of nusketry; but Tor
awhile, in his disorder, he was unable TO
account for them; and in a few moments
they ceased. Night had succeeded to
day. no taper burned on the table, and
scarcely enough light shone through the
narrow easement into the apartment, To
show him that he occupied it alone.
His lips were parched with thirst; he
strobe t5 the table, Eand finding pothing
thereon 10 alay the burEings OF fever, he
called family TO Jacinto. NoNanswer was
made to the call; he seemed TO 'be the
only tenant of the house; and vet he
fancied that the deep silence, which sue
ceedcd his exclamation, was broken by
distant and feeble lamentations He Is-
tened attentiveiy; the sounds were re,
peated, bat yet with sd low a tone, tinat
they would have escaped hin entirely,
had not MS senses been sharpened by
fever.
Obeying his instincts Of benevolence,
rather than his reason, fo- this mad not
yet recovered from the disorder Of slum
ber ne stepped from TIE chamber: and,
following not 50 much the sounds, which
had become nearly inaudibie, as light
that cleaned at "A little distance, ne
found himself soon at the door oi an
apartment, through the curCain of which
streameh the radiance.
The image uf Leila. surveying the cross
Of rubics, had not yet departed from his
imagination, when he pushed aside the
fiImsy arraS, and stood Ia the room: ana
his feelings Of amaZcmcnt and rapture, oi
mingled 10y and terror, may be Inlagineo
when he befeld, at the first glance, whai
seea1ed the incarnation of his vision. -
Before a little stool, which supported a
taper Of some vegetable substance burn
ing Eith odors and smoke, there knelt,
seemed 10 kneel, a maiden oi exquisite
beauty, whose Moorish character mIShi
have been imagined in her face, but not
detected in her garments, for these were
OF Spanish fashion.
Tire light of the taper streamed full
upon her visage. from which il was mol
two feet removed, and showed il To he
batheG in tears. Her eyes were fixed
i,nnf, some level held i'm her hands close
DO the light, which was attached, by 4
chain Of gold, 10 her neck; and the same
iGoll which revealed 10 Don Amador the
features OF the maid Of Aimeria, showed
him. IN this jewel, the well known and
never 70 be forgotten cross Of rubieS. The
cavalier stood petrfiod; smothered
ejaculation burst from his lips, and his
gaze was fixed upon the vision as on q
baSiisli
Al his sudden exclamation. the maiden
raised her eyes, gaEcd al him AN instant
as he stood trembling with awe and de
light; and the next moment,-whether il
was that she struck the light out with
her hand or whether the taper and the
figure were alike spectral, and snatched
away by the same cnchantment which
had brought them into cxistence,-th
chamber WAS left in darkness, and the
pageant of loveliness and sorrow hac
vanished entirely away.
No sooner had this unlock ed for termi
nation been presented, than Don Anna
dor recovered his strength, and, with q
cry Of grief, rushed towards the spot $,
lately occupied by the vision. The stoo
still stood ON the floor, but no maiden
knelt by it. \ faint gleam OF dusky
light shOne suddenly on the onuosite
wall and then as suddenly Disappeared
Z 1t had not been lost to the cavalier, he