The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-03-25

almost as green as in the policies my
grandfather had been at such pains to
lay out about the house of New AIilns.
mere were many trees too, some
loaded with fruit, others gay with birds
OF red and green, that eawed and CAB
bled with hideous noise. The road i'm
proved greatly from this point. and the
poor captain of Spain had hard work TO
Keep up with us, which, from his jeal-
ousy or his wife, he was determined
10 do.
Then all suddenly we came out upon
the crest of a little hill, and 10, there
beneath us showed the town and castle
OF Porto Rico. The castle is very strong,
standing with its works defensive and
strong buildings on a point of land
winch Juts into the sea. The town has
several churches and many houses with
little arbors and inclosed gardens, all
within the wall of the city. But the
larger gardens for produce are with
out and contain many good vegetables,
with fruitage Of orange trees, lemons,
plantains, ground gOUrds, and an ex-
cellent fruit called coracon, because it
is or the shape of a heart. Yet il must
not be supposed that these gardens
are fenced in or Weeded as at home.
The Spaniards, at least in their Indian
colonies. have no inclination TO be so
particular and nice. So all lies open and
is trampied over by cattle and the wild
things Of the woods. Yet it is aston
lshIng 10 see how many herbs, roots
and vegetables come to perfection in
spite Of all, though few, indeed, in that
luscious soil and forcing climate have
the flavor of a Scottish winter apple or
an English peach-indeed, think none
that ever I tasted.
AT last we came to the castle where
there, at the barrier, was a military
guard. AS the carriage entered, Donna
Juanita saluted the officer at the gate
like a COmrade with an easy wave of
her white hand. Then scarcely were we
drawn Up before a large door studded
with great nails than Don Nicholas
galIoped up, very red and angry, yet
not daring openly to counter his wife
in aught upon which She had set her
mind
Yet would he not let us out of his
sight, for finding no groom at hand 1--WE
had returned unexpectedly he let his
beast go where it would and ran hast
lily up the wooden steps after US to the
upper hall, which was used by the lady
Juanita as her chamber of reception in
ordinary. The horse, being used to be
petted, went straight to the low win
dow of the kitchens opposite, and there
the cook, a black man, fed him, through
the grill, with pie crust and fragments
of pastry.
AS soon as I heard the commandante
mounting the stairs after US, waited
behind to let him pass. This he did
taking no notice of me, as brushing
me aside he stamped furiously up
ward after Will and the Lady Juanita
lonSed for enough Spanish to ell
him how poor Will had been suffering
the torments of purgatory, yet perhaps
as 1t turned out it was a fortunate
thing that my tongue could form SO
few Spanish words.
For when we reached the lofty cham
Der which was miladi's hall and sitting
room in ordinary, Juanita ordered her
husband back for a fan she had left
in the carriage. The poor man paused,
choked. hesitated-and went AS soon
as he was fairly gone Donna -Juanita
turned her about and kissed Will
soundlv on the mouth.
There she said, that is proper
greeting between country folk in a far
land. l have not had an honest Scot S
kiss in half a dozen years. These Span
iard5 are men of Duckram and pru-
nella!'
She would cen have done the same
grace to me, which. indeed, I was
dreading, having indeed no liking for
the ceremony, but ar that moment the
hasty footsteps OF her husband NVere
hear returning. He had indeed made
good speed in his MESA ge-better, me-
thinks, than altogether pleased his Wife.
For she frowned pOrtentioueIy and
threw the fan down on the couch pet
tishly. without thanking him for his
trouble. Yet for all that she treated
him oTfn~ fhiS fashion Nfaha1a
followed her everywhere with his eyes
and fawned upon her like a whipped
dog, which thing 1 judge not to be
good for any woman, all Of them be-
ing by nature the better for keeping
in some manner of subjection.
Then Donna Juanita talked to us in
English, or more often in the More
ham Scotch of the more vulgar sort,
while her husband. not being able to
understand word, sat and fdgeted,
or stood by the window kicking his
heels and tangling his spurs in the
hangings, not daring to say a word.
Save that I thought on the chain gang
and the Inquisiticn, [ could have found
it in my heart TO be sorry for him.
Donna Juanita listened to the relation
of our escape with the greatest inter
est, TILL asking where the others of our
party were, she suddenly bade her nus
band 60 back incontinent to the mon
astery and fetch all who had come with
US in the boat.
Il saw a well-lool1ing young lad at
the nunnery wall. 1t is not fair that
he should stay there to play bob-cher-
~ over so many watering mOuths!"
The commandante hesitated, as it
were hanging in the wind for an ex-
cuse to Gtay.
shall send q T7eS-cT1 oar. iYl1TT1 q a
ly." he said, lit is more fitting, and
the heat Of the day is great"
Il bade you go and bring them, Mich
olas!" said Juanita, continuing her talk
with Will
The governor shuf1ed toward the
door. His eyes, full Of fury, were
turned on Will and myself. 1 wished
that Juanita had not showed herself
quite so friendly. In a few moments
however, we heard the rattle Of horses
feet. and, looking through the curtains,
I beheld this most luxuriouR military
governor, with a single attendant,
speeding aWav in the direction of the
monastery Of St. John of BrOZaS
Il think" began Will, rising uneas-
lily, that 1 should go and meet
sit down. cried the lady, quoting
a Spanish proverb. THE only folly I
cannot forgive is ingratitude, the only
sin stupidity. Time enough 10 greet
your folk when they arriver'
So perfOrce we had to sit down again
and tell the lady many things to fill
up the time. spoke Of my mother. but
could not summon resolution to tell her
of Anna. And indeed if any one will
take the trouble to think on all the cir
cumstances, I judge that he will not
greatly blame me. So that, be it we'll
heIieueS If wa G with q frpU0IlIO,lss T,aar+
that I waited the advent Of my mother
and Little Anna Mark.
CHAPTER XIII.
Jezebel's Daughter.
Before her husbands return the lady
had time. to tell us all her adventures.
now standing by WHY'S stool and plaV-