davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27

signal toward the dark corner. The
two Englishmen came " lelsurely.
"Hurryh HurTy!' cried the Ameri-
can II need you'' n1f .f.uris J5:t
What's the mattsr2r asked Mid.
dlehsm. as the two followed him back,
10 y window. ,fe .a ra,ys5, I'D
Stand here and play this gultar!s''n
cnfpped Snow r.. t, r,.,.,,
Aw. now, what do want to stand
b. G and play a guitar fcr?" .l
Don't ask questionsl To make
them think I'm here Ill senorita Car
lotta Vitrelll and '1ee'ru1 out the back
way" cd ~
Yes. senors," ~ ,, y Tie voice m
the window, and. Iuy uncie comes
/ out YOU must catch him and hold him,
Don't let him pursue u.s." a ol
They could see her wringing her
hands oXcitcdly In the gloom.d .7qlor
Now really. Hully, don't this up
set a fellgw. though? Snow hore has
known her for at least Ave minutes.
hasn't he?" Then, as am after
thought, II can't play a guitar you
know"
But snow thrust the instrument
into his unwilling hands. You've
got to try as friend-a benefac-
tor"
Middlcham held the guitar. Hulley
looked on In amazement Snow van-
ished around the side alley and tho
girl disappeared from the window.
The two BHtons were planted dog
Eedly by the window. and Snow knew
that neither the uncle nor all the HA-
vana police could move OF pass them
AS he and Carlotta met In the tiny
little al'oyway there, sounded from
the front the most execrable nolse
that q guitar was ever guilty OF In
Havana.
Then Hullcy tried to sing
That's unnecessary punishment,
murmurod Snow in tho girls ear. ''
But Carlotta laughed happily as
] they hurried down the dark path.
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27
THE ELOPEMENT

bowed deeply, turned about and dis
appeared down tiny alleyway that
ran down beside the building.
Snow stared after him without time
for word, and then, determining to
pursue the incident to the end, picked
up the guitar and began once more
the haunting little tune. eo0r
The man had hardly disappeared
in the side alley when the silken cur
tain behind the grill was drawn back
a little.
"Senor." said a voice, "dld Rafael
ask you to play there?"
Snow drew near and removed his
panama. He could see dim oval
face outlined in the black interior
with two dark splashes for eyes, but
there was a quality in the voice that
made the American blunder his tune
and let It die away.
Yes, senorita, he whispered
back; someone sent me here to
play"
"Then why don't you play?" asked
the woman with a little tremolo I'm
her voice.
With e feeling that he was in the
midst of a phantasmagoria, Snow
once more adjusted. his guitar and be-
gan strumming the tune. He had
hardly started again when he saw
two white hands clasp the brazen
grills.
"Not that! Not that" trembled the
voice. "Ah Mia Dios, not that"
Snow paused again abruptly. "You
| know the tune--it Is not Cuban
/ air?"
"Nor / a Cuban girl, senor."
What shall | lay them"
Anything else There was a
touch of pathos in her words, and
1 again that dimly familiar quality the
man had noted all along. .
He moved trihe closer. May |
inquire why am playing and-to
! whom"
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27

Just at that instant a hand was
laid on his shoulder.
Snow laughed shortly "The ro-
nance is off," he remarked without
looking around, "you boys came over
and spoiled 1t ALL"
= May inquire what the senior is
doing here?" asked a voice in per-
fectly good Spanish.
Snow wheeled around abruptly and
found himself facing heavy-set
swarthy man, with black mustache
'curled up in fierce Kaiser William
fashion.
Snow stared at this apparition in
amaZement. Am | on your pre-
serves?" he asked in Spanish.
The stranger stepped back a little.
II see from your accent" he went on,
that you are an American, but, Sc
nor, accept no insolence even from
an American"
a little tingle OF amusement went
through the American "Well, as
you have answered my question in the
affirmative, I'll tell you what | am
doing. Some friends and have
started out with this guitar i'm search
OF an adventure, so | stood here play
Ing and hoping something would
happen"
At Shows pleasant smiling face
and ingenious explanation the strang-
er began TO thaw.
so you are hunting an adven-
ture?" responded the man agreeably.
Would you mind helping me? | was
just wishing for some one to give me
little assistance in case / should
need It,"
"Are you joking?' asked Snow.
"Never more serioNs--here's my
hand" in impulsive Spanish fashion.
Snow took 1t gravely What shall
| do?"
stand right here and play the
guitar"
| At this amazing request the man
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27

eati age and mostUf her wages went
for personal adurnment. She was at
tractive aud socially disposed, and
there had been no lack OF Opportuni-
ties for pleasure.
She had first met VIII Landor at
q dance. whittier he had fOrlornly
drifted in season OF diversion which
after all did not appeal TO him. But
If the festivities did not appeal the
Slender frightened girl in pink
gown of the latest style certainly did,
and then and there began a friend
shin which was the wonder Of Ma
rian's set.
TO ignore the attentions of Fred
Hultz and to rcnounce the chance of
winning Charley Morrison. the best
dancer IN town. not to mention two
or three luminous possibilities. for
the sake OF lanky. plain, sober
faced dabbler In chemistry 1T was
beyond comprehension
Marian laughed IN her light, easy
way when any Of her friends rallied
hcr on her latest conqucst. She had
sense enough to know that VIII Lam
dor possessed more real manly attri-
hutes. more Of those worthy traits
which insure woman's happiness
than any Of the gay youths who had
hitherto crossed her path
She married VIII andor, and ther
occurred their first disagreement
Marian would not give up her posi-
/ tion. She would not stay at home
| she declared. and be household
! drudge, and she would not 20 abroad
/ looking like n dowdy as she must i
] she depended on her husbands small
salary for her sartorial equipment.
In vain. VIII tried to turn her mint
! to his point OF view. Only that morn
ling he had demonstrated with her be
fore they left their little apartment
to- go their separate ways.
~ know you can support me, WILL
she said, In answer to his protests
but | want other things, little extra
that you can't afford. And ! hat
housework | have enough Of It a
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27
) q 8 q

senor, certe," and he hurried into the
office after IL, ...5
n Better get stllletto and re-
volver, too" suggested Middleham,
laughing. .t4.,..s.
The clerk returned; the three men
took the instrument and set forth
into the streets with 1t. They turned
Off the Prado at the first corner and
plunged into the maze OF narrow, tor
tuous alleys that serve as thorough
fares for the rest of Havana.
Their way was almost deserted, lily
lighted by an occasional sputtering
arc. Along the streets the pervading
heavily barred windows gave a sim
ister cast to the scene. A few OF the
houses were lighted dimly; others
were quite dark. ..... ....g
''Nothing's going to happen" MUIR
INJURED Middlci.am; "nobody's at
home" ..r..
Snow stopped, Now you fellows
see that big house right yonder, with
the curly brass grlllwork shining in
the windows. / want YOU fellows to
stay here In the shadow behind this
corner. I'm going over and thrum
on this guitar n bit, maybe something
will turn up"
His two friends assented. The
American walked over to the window
in the full glare o. an arc, swung the
guitar around In front and, without
more ado, began to play
1t was an odd, plaintive, tangled
little air that Snow played, thing
that he had picked up years ago,
down in Mexico, and had played on
other nights at other windows.
Just inside the shining grllworll
Snow could catch the CLINT OF a silk
curtain. He played on, weaving a
musical phantasy. until he almost be-
lieved himself back In the old Aztec
capital. The impression grew so
strong as to be almost disagreeable.
! He stopped.
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27

IL Is"
II don't wonder you hate It, the
way you have to do IT, replied her
husband warmly. Get up and rush
at the breakfast. rush to the store,
then rush hack to get supper ready
with the place upset all the time.
And Sunday--houseclcaning day.
You're wearing yourself out. Marian.
housekeeping Isn't so bad there's
Aunt Blessing"
20, bother Aunt Blessing"
snapped Marian whose temper was
not the most eduable those days.
That's one reason | wouldn't try TO
keep house-l would always suffer
by comparison. We really ought to
so boarding anyway"
"MariaE!" Will was aghast at the
suggestion. "Why, little girl. don't
you care for your home?"
Then Marian had rolented and en-
circled his neck with an impulsive
arm.
"Of course do and | wish had
more time to attend to It, But dom
ask me to give up all that money,
/ VIII. | Just love pretty clothes"
But other women stay at home
and have pretty clothes, too. You'd
have time to make them then-and
I Marian. I'm getting rather tired Of
these quick lunch meals. | don't
/ think they are good for either of us"
Il "Will. you think too much of your
stomach. Aunt Blessing brought you
up wrong" laughed Marian. Good
ness I'm late now--and--and VIII, |
shall he home little late tonight
I've got to do some shopping"
Therefore, Marian dragged her
weary limbs up for the four long
flights OF stairs that evening, and
deposited her numerous packages on
top OF the table in the tiny Kitchen
all but one which she held gingerly
aloft. for 1t represented a good part
OF three weeks wages, a magnificent
white plume which was to be the
crewning touch of elegance to her
new pring hat
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27

and know ih.rcs wero NOT eoirg
quite right with !iui. Hes leon
working pretty bard AMI h,9 nome go
"Now. you're going 20 lecture me-
flashed cut Marian. wih a hot blush
as she thought OF the uutihy rooms
which must have come under the in
spection of this model hcusekeeper.
Please don't. for I'm very tired. and
| really do the best can. Bat whore
is Will?"
"Thcy sent word that he was taken
III late this afternoon broke down,
you know, and they sent him to the
hospital"
"Hosptal!" cricd Marian, with
dark. widening eycs.
YES he wanted to go viii did.
lie said there wasn't ANYBODY to take
care of him here. or course. he
didn't know ia como. He'll be all
right with little care It's q case OF
mal-nut:ition aud auto-in'oNica-
ton"
Aunt blessing, VIII never
drank" broke I'm Marian, vigorously.
How dare they"
you don't understand hos al
run down. his system aiu't working
right. Too much work and worry
and not enough nourishment under
fed TO he plain spoken. In fact. you
look thgt way yourself. kinder white
and piudlihF and ! dol't wonder,
the way you've been living What you
got cut there to eat MOVE"
But Marian scarcely heard her
/ She had sunk into the nearest chair
ana her carefully wrapped plume
| slipped from her nervclcsg fingers.
"Will-hospitgl,' she gasped go
/ horrible-T--"
Then she swayed TO one side ant
slid Imply to the 9oor. faiuting TO
the first time I'm her llfc
When Marian recovered con
sciousness, she w9l lying on the sofa
with Wits voice sounding anxious
ly in her ears.
J "Litt;e girl, you are all right
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27

Goud ess. l!dot scan Il. 'r.stssa
YOU i!itn that l.ruk hi ME- rs WIN
-.-robo1y cisc." 90" M
She lookcd aal r,kc !at3 .eg.s "
nervous laughicr. Wjl awKwarc and
goutritc, ia ill.Huinp fenlaio garp,
with a gray wig and @ei ed Bonnet
twisted awry over one ear ara q pair
OF heavy spectacics pushed up crook
cdly on his brow, ..
That's good laugh ri nc, lIttla
girl Now 7 know you're ~ right
was more successful thaH | expect
cd But YOU forget that was once
leading man Of a Thespian society IN
my native town. j. borrowed these
duds from thG cost6mcr downstairs.
got home CARLY. really not feeling
wcll. so I've taken few days on
"Iicncst?'
"Ycs. no fake about this They
knew I'd bcou pccGing away pretty
steady. 50 they Cavc mo little vaca-
tiou. and from all appearances YOU
need ono. too"
"l',c not been quite myself, lately"
admitted Marian. I tire 50 easily.
and I've bocu nervous and cross. But
O. VIII. ! do believe what you said
Y
treated you right, You haven't had
comfortable home. I've worn my
self out to crafty my vanity. and I'm
not good wife,
Forget IT, little girl Wen take
a vacation noT. together. ard well
go and visit Aunt Blessing. She'll
know what to do with both OF u.s."
Marlan's eyes. wandering languid-
/ ly around the room, fell on her last
/ oxtravagant purchase. lying on the
hOOr
will" she said decislyely, her old
spirit flashing ont. "I'll take that WILL
low plume right back tomorrow aud
get some gingAam aprons aud cook
book. And III give mp my Job, And
I'll take lessons from Aunt BLESSING
Now, will you help me get supper
ready-it's S O'clock
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27

you your sweetheart"
"N-no-I don't know-maybe," p"
she stammered, blushing.
They came outside the tepee as she
spoke, and she at once knew by an
odd look In Rogers eyes that he had
overheard their conversation.
"Mr. -ge-shig is preparing
us breakfast" he said, pointing to
a kettle suspended from slanting
stick.
After a palatable breakfast they
walked down to the bay. The storm
was over, but its effects were still Wis
ible on the tumultuous hocy of water.
"Our host informs me that 1t is
sometimes "a hours before the bay
is naYigable after a storm"
30! Mother will worry"
I'VE will walk around to the light
house and telephone to the hotel
How would you like to be a prisoner
in ali Indian camp for "a hours?"
81 think 1t would be novel and In
teresting," she declared. "Will-you
like it?"
His eyes glistened.
ut will be a day to remember"
"An Indian summer day" she sug-
gested
After telephoning they returned to
the camp and inspected the Indian
wares. Later in the afternoon a
beautiful young Indian girl, the sis
ter OF E-tar-we.ge-shig, returned
from a neighboring village.
"She can tell your fortune" sug-
gested the white woman, knowing
the weakness of the race.
"That will be lovelyl" cried Ju-
dith enthusiastically. Wouldn't
YOU like to have yours told?" She ap.
pealed to Sheldon.
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27

solAce In the pine forests for an un-
requited love.
He was. a quiet, self-contained man
with a becoming suspicion OF gray al
ready at his temples. He was SO en-.
tirely relegated % the "oldest set
that he had scarcely entered into the
thoughts or. life of young judith
Cary until he asked her to marry
him. it
SHE had said him nay. lut she had
been. so startled by the look she had
met lin hts eyes that the impression
had served to keep him In her mem
ory: but Roger, wlo he'd worshiped
mostly from nfar, quietly and man
fully accepted his rebuff and with
drew to this remote sDot that he
might not suffer the acu.e anguish
of witnessing her acceptance OF the
devotion of another man.
BY the irony OF fate the names
above his on the register we're MRS.
Richard Cary, Miss Cary"
While deliberating whether TO sub
nit 10 nemesis or to beat retreat
nneaen, for his arrival was at very
early hour In the morning, Judith ap-
peared before hin en- the docL WA
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27

the japanese ihade OF the conter
lamp. A large-framed woman Of evi-
dent middle age, plainly dressed IN
dark gown and wearing an old
fashioned bonnet and veil. She had
abundant gray hair, draw. down over
tor forehead and ears, and she wore
ck-rimmed glasses.
Il hope ! didn't scare you" she
said. in a high-pitched voice. II
thought you'd be coming right In.
I'm Wits Aunt Blessing"
"O" said Marian. in relieved tones,
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27

My fortune has been told" he
said significantly with a shade Of
sadness in his voice.
She dropped her eyes and followed
the Indian girl to the tepee. When
she returned she was light-hearted.
"She foretold me beautiful flu
ture," she informed Roger Wont
you let her tell yours?"
He shook his head, smiling.
"Please!' she urged, her eyes and
voice pleading.
With a little laugh of compliance
he went into the tepee
WAS 1t good fortune?" asked
Judith shyly when he came out.
Very good; too good to be true"
he said, looking at her intently.
AT twilight the waters of the bay
became suddenly tranquil. After
liberal purchase OF baskets and In
dian ware they bade the family adieu
and went down to the landing place.
The first CLINT of the stars came out
and the shadows gathered closer.
Roger suddenly turned from the
boat and led Judith few feet dis
tant to pine tree that lowered in
solitary grandeur from its fellows.
Judith, ! am going to tell YOU
again that love you, Is there any
hope that you can come to care for
me?"
There was a seconds tremulous ST..
lence.
81 love you now, Roger!"
when did you come TO love me?'
he asked. as they Eped away across
the water.
81 knew this norning-in the
storm"
III | hadn't consulted the young
prophecies Of the wigwam,' he said
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27

some and winning. "O,' she said,
coloring with the consciousness OF
young girl,
81 thought you always went to the
seashore," he said, after they had
formally shaken hands.
Mother Is not very well, and the
doctor prescribed quiet, secluded
spot"
LINT this an early hour for you
to g out?" he asked,
Il was going to row over to that
81 etch of woods across the bay to
see some Indians who are camping
there. They are civilized Indians,
but mother would not approve, so
am running away" 81
~ was running away. too" he said.
smiling. Suppose we run away or
row away together"
From whom are you running
.away?" she asked as she stepped in
to the boat
Myself"
"You can't do that, you know, ,"
she said sagely, and feeling that they
were on dangerous ground, she dett-
ly changed the subject.
When they were nearing the woods
he looked up anxiously at a dark
ening sky.
storms come up quickly in these
parts" he said, bending to the oars
with renewed strength. Before they
could land the rain came down In
torrents, the wind blew a gale. lash
Ing the waves to fury, and the sud
den darkness was only relieved by
lurld flashes OF lightning. Sheldon
glanced at his young companion
kcenly.
care You afraid2" he asked curtly
80" she replied grayely. but the
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27
THEIR VACATION

The other packages included loaf
of bread can of baked beans, a
square OF pount cake and some
pickles. The table where they lay
was strewn with unwashed dishes and
Il string Of small laundtred articles
was stretched across the cherries
kitchen.
Marian had hastily lighted the gas,
and now. without removing her
wraps. she started a fire in the stove
and set the filed teakettle over the
flame
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27

been playing. then sang softly the
first line Of the song.
"But-but | composed those words
myselff." stammered Snow.
$3.50 you did-len."
"Carlotta" trembled the American
In the uttermost surprise "Youi"
Yes, yes, my father sent me here
to--to avoid you"
well come On--quick, Carlotta-
well follow suit--the pack way
But, Len" gasped tho girl, some
one must play the guitar. Rafael al
ways Played"
Snow leapeC to the middle Of the
narrow street and began wildly 70
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27

musingly u nsver should have ven-
tured to ask you second time sh,
told me | loved a shy maiden who
had refused me because she didn't
know her heart at the time, and that
II would ask her again at twilight
underneath solitary pine. she
would say yes | owe my happiness
to her."
"Roger!" I
"Roger!"
"Well?" he asked after a pause.
you don't owe it TO her! | told her
what TO say"
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27
by with SEAT.
AIlIAN pnilsod AZ

sSik AIlIAN paused at tho
! !" 4. 1 1. ! i: ! |. !. !. !. !. !. !. !. | !. !.
AGRQWESy top OF the third
kffltRlilIsiggN hight OF stairs and
XxsEN ~ leaned against the
k)B!,b.kyi IN wall In the dark hall
HlIlIi3,S$l Es1 way There was a
WNA8lAd VIZ ,feeling OF weakness
kVltgE5 .lsd3se'2i IN her limbs aud her
RVIll,SsspsDA heart was beating tu-
SSalf65, multuously She walt
cd moment, then
et,lt n took long breath
ans 'es.t.r. u, next flight. Her arms
us.. ,I.i -, .'.r1dles and she stumbled
s.s. -. s2.;; as she stepped upward.
sS.tf" sne thought. I'm just
fRkf fk1 Voi. and | know I'm late. It
LAkss 70 .oeg to get anything In the
sa4vs s@st ,,iore closing time. | sup
re WITS nome and cross as q
ntSt'r
Ns.ts detection was very unjust
tc Ni'i. 80 ae had long been patient
ard sfg1 atured under conditions
ia. cstlajtIy did not tend to make
h"sTcorJ i, ,he home.
Wa -.l Landor married pretty
ff1ist i..i his chief reason for
;G$nftair5.a, next to the fact that he
.N VS.: re one girl IN the world
was ,ss: ~. would have home. Nc
Ors s.'er 'elt mere kecnly the bar
Tef ess And discomfort OF the hal
s..Sh' .3c IN great city tLan did this
,rN,.l. 'gnn who had come from q
cpant'r -ome OF peace and plenty
or SsLt lnd presided over by an aunt
pnl iYas an Ideal housewife ant
xhoa, ,aission in life was to make
s.3is, rgiks comfortable "
whoHg during his, eourting days
- scfsfred TO his past rural life, Ma
.lAgi laughed and told him that hi
Art blessing had spoiled him anC
- aa married her she would never b'
-.,,ads, come up to his Ideas Of do
,St.ist;~ woman 0n ar t1. d,
4. TACT Marian had Lever been do
IE,at,c She had gone to work at al
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27
BY AGNES AeNEw.

HREE gentlemen, two
.MTLb GN English, one Ameri-
EM8I ee1 can, sat around ta-
IN IiS bic in the garden OF
MH the 'Mioamer and
. NNI slipped slowly at their
E-2 cocoanut water not
M[S1l rarticularly liking
HY5rfm ire insipid drink.
0WXIt az Altside, In the Prado,
1 " long, amending line
w ilf 49, tf.earriages, motors
and pedestrians moved steadily lack
aud forth. q
''And they tel. mo that Havana is
. romantic. place" drawled Hulley,
removing his panama hat, for like all
good tourists" their first move when
they reached the Cuban capital was
to inyest In a paiiama. n-'''-
Nov we've Been over here a
week" growled Middieham,D his
brother Englishman, land as far as
romance is concerned, Snow, there
has been absolutely nothing doing,
as you Americans p2t II d"
As both the men appealed to Snow,
and as Cuba lay 80 close tC the states,
under an Amcrirpn protectorate. too,
that Rentlenr1 fe.t "'lled upon TO de-
fend the is'sads rc-d name In things
romantic.
what d. y-l fellows expect to
happen to.ytv added up here In the
Mioamer gardc ls You poke around
and look at forts, cathedrals. his
torical spots and places where ro-
manceg have occurred. That's al.
wrong. Romance is like lightning, II
never, strikes twice in the same place.
The man who goes around gaping at
romanlIc spots will never make one
Jaw, come now" gibed Hulley'
that's an American joke"
nYes :" echoed Middleham, there
maybe adventure for the-natives, but
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27

Sncw shrugged his shoulders.
Ten O'Clock at right is the begin
Ming Of the Cuban day.
Tu ~ aT0sc likewise. Come along,
M,dd c'tn. e.. sec what he is going
to DC
So ~ W. 20 b. 'nllows sauntered
into the '''ai lci ID walked up to
the dappel i;'e X
r "Jaurez," r, Il Sr"7 would you
oblige me wilt. ur 'Hit"r tcalght p
The clerk sn. ~ urig ny Isl
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27

You are playing in 3afaels place
so that Rafael and Maria may escape
unoLserved. That's all, senor"
Snow pressed UP against the grills,
He was staring fixedly INTO the dark
recess beyond the curtains. And
10 whom ?'' he asked tersely. "to
whom?"o h..
There was broken little laugh
inside, then shaking, silvery voice
hummed over the air he had Just
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-27

Standing like sentinel before one
OF them was an Indian.
AT the sound of their voices, a
white woman, soft-eyed and mild
hammered came forth. She at once
took Judith inside the tent and
brought forth clean, dry clothing.
While donning these garments Ju-
dith chatted with the woman, who