The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1900-03-22
SPANISH
I IsTEN!

SJdHu mere HOlulLS my very
breath as that sweet, wild strain floats
out Tn me.
1t II :he same maddening waltz
picked on a guitar accompanied by the
tinl1ling of a mandolin that we waltzed
to on those happy nights of the past.
The music of the guitar brings it all
back to me with sudden rush of bit
terness.
One year ago tonight he and l
waltzed together for the last time.
1t was glorious night, with full
southern moon hanging high in the
far away sky. The flowers sent up a
hundred sweet odors from their dewy
petals, seeming to invite us to ram
BILE among them. The low sighings of a
guitar were waited to us on the balmy
breezes, and he told me again the same
story | had listened to so often, yet it
became sweeter at each telling, as we
glided through that may dance.
The hot blood surges through my
veins and / seem to hear once more his
tender voice and feel the hot breath
tanning my face as he tells his love so
low and appealing No one can under
stand my feelings as we drifted on
through that soothing yet maddening
waltz in the silvery, tempting light OF
the moon.
l loved him when | first saw him
there among the roses. He was so diff
ferent from our men; so young, boyish
and handsome. He was a rich young
Englishman, and feared that he would
not love me, only little Spanish girl,
but my deep love was drawing him on,
and some day hoped that he would be
mine.
A year ago tonight we were at a
ball, and after the first delicious waltz
he left me, saying that he would come
back soon, and when he did return Il
woman was leaning on his arm. She
was of the delicate type of English girl.
with languid blue eyes, brownish gold
hair and perfect complexion. Thought
her lovely, but so cold, no emotion
whatever, even while leaning on him.
How glad I am that l can feel,
even if it be only paint
He introduced her to me as a friend
who happened to stop over in her tray
els, and | wandered aimlessly around,
leaving him to enjoy his friends com
pany.
Finally l stepped behind some large
palms which formed a screen, and sat
thinking of him. | was so happy and
trusting in the security of his love.
Suddenly | heard some one talking on
the other side of the palms, and hear
ing my own name l listened. How can
/ believe what hear.
"Yes, my love, these Spanish girls
are fine to firt with. They can love
with an intensity that would set some
men on fire. and [ admit that [ have
quite enjoyed it all, but you know,
my darling. that | am true to you deep
down in my heart, and | should have
forgotten how to make love without
some one to practice with, and she was
the prettiest of the lot. You must not
be jealous"
NO Frederick. I am not jealous. 1t
is not that, but she loves you and it is
wicked of you to fiirt with her. Every
flash of the glorious eyes and every
SI1llt VI lllt ClllllSOll dlN III y O'i'
Here is a deep passion that she cannot
overcome easily"
Oh, if she could only have known
how easily l had overcome it. How
easy he had made it for me!
The hot southern blood that rushes
through my veins is even now burning
with as intense hatred as with love an
hour ago. AS / stand there watching
and listening. no one knows the pain
that is tearing in my heart. Involun-
tarily | clutch the tiny dagger that is
concealed in my dress. Oh, how quick
ly my love had been killed!
They move away and begin the dance
the dance that should have been
mine. | still crouch behind the palms,
my mind in such tumult | scarcely
know what | am doing.
She is gone now; gone with his kiss
upon her lips | saw them as he told
her eau revoir" on the other side of
those same palms. He is looking and
inquring for me. | hear him say |
must have gone home. | know where
he will go to find me.
Slipping from my hiding place, run
swiftly yet silently on to our trysting
place. Ny guitar, the one he gave me,
lies on rustic seat; pick it up, and
my purpose grows stronger. Hearing
a footstep, | look up and see him COM
ing toward me with outstretched hands
and smiling face.
''Ah. Zazella, my queen, why did
you"
'Hush!" ! cry; chow dare you say
that to me after all saw, all / beard,
tonight? You start back, you wonder?
Do you think am going to let you live
to love her, while l am forsakcn?
Never!"
go closer to him as I speak; 1 see
the smile leave his handsome face and
baffled look take its place. That one
look is the last touch to my already
blazing anger.
81 will kill you'll 1 cry, my voice
choking with suppressed fury.
81 should have known better than to
trust anyone with a faint of Spanish
blood, not to think of a full-blooded