The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-12-28


from st. Marks, bringing soldiers to be
taken back to Spain Felice would kiss
her crucifix, murmuring, in broken
tones, 'Ay de las vencidas, (woe TO the
vanquished) while her tears would over
flow and drop on her work.
"At last came the day when the Stars
and Stripes were to be formally eX-
changed for the yellow and red of the
Spanish.
with sad hear alice watched the
American soldiers arch By the house
with Jackson at the r head his bearing
sOldiery and stern, even his hair stand
ing out from his head aggressively
Ny grandfather was there, too,
mounted on a spirited horse that
pranced and arched his neck as if he,
too, anew that he was taking part in a
ceremony of great consequences to his
country. The American soldiers held
their heads high, and planted their flag
proudly, for the starry banner had but
lately gained the right, to liberty and
independence. On the opposite side
of the square came the Spanish soldiers,
Felice's lover among them. their SOM
bre looks in strange contrast to their
glittering regalia.
The Spanish girls eyes seemed riv-
tied to the flagstaff by some strange
magnetism. 1t was hard enough that
he Jose should have to cross the ocean
and leave her, even though he had
promised to come back for her when he
had made a home in sunny Spain.
But that her country had given up
Florida--their own land of flowers
theirs in its kindred warmth Of climate,
theirs by right of discovery, and by
glory of conquest-had given it up for
a psltry consideration Of money and
claims, cut her to the heart.
"As the Spanish flag touched the
ground and our own was raised aloft,
the band burst into a new and patriotic
air. There was no cheering the Span
ish faces were stOlid, stony as ever
they relaxed not a muscle, but Felice
made the sign of the cross, and turned
from the window with q sob. That
night my grandmother sent a servant
10 call her to supper, and she was found
at her mirror, seated in front Of the low
dressing table She wore a yellow
dress. A single red rose pinned on her
her national cOlOFs. Her long hair
hung down as IL she were about to
comb It out, bat buried deep in her
heart was a stiIletto, her hand still
ciutched the handle tensely, and the
warm blood dyed the front of her gown
She was dead, but her blood could not
avail TO save Florida for Spain.
Grandma's voice fell to a soft ca
dence.
And even though she was not will
ing to remain on foreign shores, and
among a people to whom she felt so
bitter, she has been regular visitor to
this house ever since.
Il, myself, have seen her once.
Twas Christmas, ten years ago She
sat over in that corner, combing out her
hair could see her yellow dress as
plainly as | see you, and could even see
the stilletto glisten in her breast.
when my father and husband were
quartered here, with their company OF
soldiers during a blockade of the civil
war, they were awakenedOne night blythe
firing of cannon, and rushing from their
beds, TO seize their guns, almost STUN
bled upon a woman dressed in yellow,
seated in front of the fireplace, combing
out her hair. My father knew at once
who it was, but Mac started toward
her. What the. he began, but he had
hardly gotten the words out Of his
mouth when she seemed suddenly 70
disappear through the walls The story
leaked out, in some way. and soon
nearly every soldier IN Pensacola knew
about the ghost IN yellow, and some
even declared that they saw her moving
around among the men when the can
nonading was heaviest. On the day
that the federals got possession of the
city, several of them came in the house,
intending 20 burn it. They, too, saw
the ghost in yellow, knowing that all
the refugees had fled, and that there
were no women and children in Pensa-
cola, they were very much startled at
the apparitiom But one, an Irishman,
drawer than his companions, put out his
hand to touch her, when she seemed to
crumble, and not q trace of her was
left. The soldiers were so frightened
tnat they fled, and not one could be in
duced to go near the house again.
GrAndma's tale was followed by a
long broOding silence.
did you ever speak to her, grand
maj" Elise finally asked.
'NO, dear, she would have vanished
at once if had spoken"
Just then 4 group of young people
came trooping down the hall in search
of the laggards, and they reluctantly
said Good night" and went back 70
their Christmas frOlics, each wondering
IL they would ever be 80 fortunate as
TO see the ghost in yellow
That night, after everyone had gone
20 bed. young Barnard still sat before
the fireplace IN the sitting room, ponder
ing over the strange story he had heard,