Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-03-31
SENORITA
MOLINA
A Story Of the Cuban
Revolution
BY ESTHER VANDEvEER

While the revolution that brought In
dependence to Cuba was brewing the
government of Spain through the gov
ernor of the island used every effort
to secure the adhesion of prominent
Cubans. Among those whom 1t was
deemed desirable to win over was
lawyer named Enrique Fernandez, who
was becoming prominent in his profess
sion. One Jose Molina was summon
ed one day before Captain General
Weyler and ordered either to win Fer
nandez by argument or bribery or
force. Weyler at the time had unlim-
tied power, and his orders were not to
be disobeyed.
Molina was an elderly man and the
father of a family of children, one Of
whom, Rosa, was grown. Fernandez
was about thirty years old and I'M
married. Molina invited Fernandez to
his house that he might have an oppor-
tunity to persuade him to align him
self on the side of the Spanish govern
ment. Fernandez accepted the invita-
ton, listened to his hosts arguments,
but was unconvinced.
Molina noticed that Fernandez cast
admiring eyes ON Senorita Rosa, and
1t occurred to him that what he him
self could not accomplish by argument
his daughter might bring about by
persuasion. The father therefore held
n private interview with her, at which
he said:
"My child, have been ordered by
the captain general to bring Senior
Fernandez to the support of the Span
ish cause either by argument or force.
l have tried the former and failed.
The latter course remains. | must tell
my guest that the Spanish government
demands his adhesion or his life At
times a woman may accomplish by per-
suasion what n man cannot effect by
argument If you could win over Sc
nor Fernandez you might save his life. !"
But, father" asked Rosa, why are
you obliged to do this work."
General Weyler is an autocrat In
Cuba. He may send me to prison or
to death, whichever he chooses"
The girl paled. She did not speak
for some time Then she said:
"Do you wish me to win Senior Fer
nandez's adhesion to the crown by first
winning his love"
II do not ] would rather suffer than
have you do anything dishonorable."
Again there was silence, at the end
OF which Rosa threw her arms about
her fathers neck and assured him that
she would do anything honorable to
save him from the consequences or
failure.
what made this duty odious to Rosa
Molina was that she was heart and
soul for the cause or Cuba. One morn
ing she sat on the veranda or her home
with hernandez ana began to reason
with MIN why he should embrace the
cause OF Spain. He listened to her
whlle she spoke hesitatingly and With
out animation, and when she came to
a halt he said:
rel me the truth. Your heart Is
not with Spain; 1t Is with Cuba. There
Is some reason why you are endeavor-
Ing to win me to cause with which
you DO not sympathize yourself"
Rosa did not dare tell him what he
wished TO know. III she should do so
he might Detake himself beyond her
rathers reach, ana the latter would
nave 10 suifer Tor his failure. She
would not tell an untruth. Rising from
her seat, she went Into the house, leaV-
Ing Fernandez wondering what all
this meant.
Senorita Molina sought her father
and told him that she had tried to In
huence FERNANDEZ, but had failed be-
cause she was untitled to plead
cause to which she was bitterly oppos-
ed Molina sighed, but the sign was
his only reply. Rosa was much trou-
bled' she asked him many questions.
III ne reported FAILURE TO the governor
wouid ne Dc imprisonment what wouId
DO ner next move IN respect 10 bernah-
uezf "hat uiu ueherai "eyler mean
ny using iorce 10 secure the iatters
aunesioh sne received no reply
"ne.neI ner luther was hiInseli UNI
CERTAIN III reBaru 70 tnese nnatOers sno
uiu hot aho"' Ing oniy iniormat'oh
sno reeeiVeu was tn"e eitner her IN
'ner Vi einuhueN must BUILT