The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-08-19
By Mary".......-
Moncurs Parker.

movement she threw the foWerS. was
Il Intentional? The tall Cuban stepped
a little TO one side, and the bouquet
struck the man next to him. Leonardo
caught the flowers, surprised, delight
ed expression lighting up his face, and
stepped forward quickly, bowed before
the girl, with one hand upon his heart.
For Z. moment q chill passed over her,
and she felt as though about TO faint
Rodrigo had openly insulted her. The
whole garrison knew for whom the bOu-
quet was intended, she felt sure OF that
She recovered herself in an instant,
and gave her hand to Leonardo with
beWllderIng smile that almost made
those about her believe that she had
meant the flowers for him after ALL
which was exactly the Impression she
wished to convey.
The others took partners. falling into
line by twos until the room was full Of
swaying figures moving BeductiYely
about in the graceful Spanish dance.
Alda'S watchful glance noted her un-
willing swain with the lovely Mariana,
dancing with grace that surpassed the
rest.
And there was that fool OF Pedro
sitting in the corner applauding vocif-
erously. Was the man devoid OF sense?
1Nulh ANk saIN kAAAAh "a NNIA = AAAAA aAAA
movement they told one another OF
their mutual love? Blind! Blind! And
she. she had eyes in the back Of her
head. She could see them everywhere
as she danced. The room was full OF
Rodrigos and Marianas, dancing the
dance of love.
The girl was consumed with Jealous
rage. while her feet twinkled lightly
about the floor as though her heart
were light and gay, and her companion.
all unconscious, noting the flushed
cheek and flashing eye, began to hope.
This scornful beauty did not love Rod
rigo after all, as he had feared, Had
she not thrown him her flowers and
was she not dancing her merriest?
After time Aida noted that Mari
ana had stopped dancing and that Rod
rigo had disappeared, Presently she
saw the figure with the red mask and
scarlet cloak making Its way 70 Ma
riana's side.
The Jealous girl smiled bitterly. What
n thin subterfuge. He had fifs5t ap-
peared IN his uniform and then in this
disguise that he might be near the Wo-
man he loved without exciting com.
ment.
Did he suppose for q moment that She
Aida, would be decelVed7 She stopped
suddenly In the dance. II am weary"
she said to her partner, who offered her
his arm ard led her 10 q seat.
When he went 20 get her glass OF
wine she arose and walked 70 where
Pedro was seated.
And why do you not dancer" She
asked, smiling graciousiy upon him.
The man looked up with a bewildered
air.
In community where the society was
like one great family, where there were
few jealousies and animosities, where
little was made OF differences Of rank
and station save IN the matter OF mar
rage. the young GIRL had ever held her
self haughtlly. She was daughter Of
one OF the proudest families OF Spain,
one OF whose younger sons had settled
In Cuba, and whose descendants had
drifted to st. Augustine. and she could
not forget the fact.
Especially had she snubbed Pedro
and Mariana, so It Is but little wonder
that the man was surprised when she
addressed him so grRciously.
"Ah, senorita," he said nervouHly,
rubbing his hands together, II am
awkward and clumsy, fear had
much rather watch the othern.'
Mariana seems to enjoy the dance, I"
Aldn continued.
"Ah. yes, senorlta," the little man
answered. his eyes shining with admira-
ton, she is young. beautiful and so
graceful, like a fawn."
a dark flush oveTsprend the girls
face. and when Leonardo returned with
the wine she drank It, Diminishing him,
saying in an undertone, with a smile
at the young officer, that she would talk
with Pedro, for he amused her, and that
he. Leonardo. might find some other
maiden for the next dance. With q low
bow and the complimentary assurance
that he could find none lighter Of foot
or faIrer Of face, the young man de-
parted
Turning her dark eyes upon Pedro,
Aida said smiIingIy; You speak truly.
Pedro. Mariana Is the very spirit Of
grace, and I think she surpassed herlelf
tonight How well she dances with
Don Rodrigo Alas, for the difference
In their station! One would think they
were made for one another.
Pedro turned and looked at her quick
ly. Was there covert meaning In her
words? Through even his slow. dull
comprehension there drifted sense Of
something unpleasant, although the
beautiful. smiling face into which he
gazed told nothing. a tiny bit Of the
wedge Of suspicion had entered his soul.
Where was Mariana He began to
look about him, and there flashed
through his mind the thought that Rod
rigu was young, handsome. gentle
man; he had truly been much at her
side during the evening, as Aida had
anld-thcrn she was--no-DOn Rodrigo
was not at her side-only q man with n
red mnsk and cloak-Pedro felt relieved.
who Is he of the red mask and cloak :
I noticed him first upon the Plaza and
now he seemed to have appeared, sud-
denly. among us-like an evil spirit
for they wear red. do they not!" the
young girl added. with laugh. Pedro
shook his head.
Indeed, I know not, senorlta,' he an
swered. in reply to her first question, II
have but Just noted his appearance
He, too, seems enamored OF Mnrinn-
mas charms Ay de mi! Pedro" said
Aida. laughing and shaking her finger
ut him with mock seriousness. Your
betrothed IL so charming that we poor
senorltas have but little chance beside
her. We are but as the mignonette In
comparison with the magnolia bloom.
Poor Pedro was bewildered. Why all
this praise OF his Mariana, and by the
Lady Aida. who was generally so
hauHhtlly conscious OF her own charms
Of person? He had no time for reilec-
tlou, as Aida ratified on gayly.
do you not have q fancy for guess
Ing who the maskerF nre2 That har-
lequin yonder-who would not know
Garcia, the fur trader? And the black
domino-that II Henrlque-the overseer.
Punchinello, there. take TO be saqeho.
the keeper OF the Red Bull Inn. The
rcd y,ask ronfeag puzzles me-and
vet | fancy the man has a military
bearing" Pedro'B eyes began TO wan
der about the room.