.
L. - _ _ _ _ - _ -
- -
'i ' , , . !
I \ - . ; f ' - - I
qUIIE {
< 11IATALEOT11fflUMNWAR < 1
, < . \k" . L11 LN . J
i " , ' . , CHAPTER IX.-Contlnucd.
They are , , 'hided through Washington -
ton and down the coast line , through
the Carolinas , with Il rapidity that
never ceases until finally they reach
ac1csoll\'lllo.
Even here the delay- Is short , and on
\ the mall for Cuba goes , flying along
the bank of the romantic St. John's
river , under the weird palmettos and
past swamps where the cypress ) trees
stretch out their arms , shrouded In
. wonderful streamers or gre Spanish
moss that float In the breeze like
trailing hanners
And thus they sped Into Tampa , on
the Gulf Coast. I Jack has no desire
1 . to linger now. Some other day he
may come back to see the / charms of I
: Florida , for the glimpses he has had of '
the orange and pineapple region have
aroused a desire to see more ; but
just at present his one aim Is to be
In Havana when the steamer arrives ,
so that he may not lose sight of the
f girl who dally grows more precious In !
his regard , since the more difficult the
game the higher we appreciate the
victory. '
They hoard the Mascot and under a
t darkened sky leave Tampa hehlnd.
l The sea Is boisterous , as Is usual
with the Atlantic , and few passengers
t. .
'I " , remain on decl Even Smithers swears
: t \ he Is sleepy and seeks his bunl
, . ' : ' . Jack , who Is as staunch as an 0111
.
.
; , sea dog , really enjoys the commotion ,
and finding a sheltered \ spot on deck ,
I he smokes his pipe , watches the
plunging of the gallant little steamer
through time foamy hlllows and ponders .
dol's on the strange fortune having
. him In tow.
, , J
"
. ' 1" . \ Morning comes. Ahead , the fair
island of Cuba rises out of the sea ,
as It were. T ere Is a stretch of low
I >
\ ground , and then suddenly looms up
; , . . . . - " . . the frowning fortress of 1\101'1'0 Cas-
. . , . . " 1 tie guarding the beautiful harbor of
Havana , Into which no steamer may
I
1 enter during the night ,
, \ Several Spanish mcn.of.war are at
anchor In the harbor ; for the Island
of Cuba is In the throes of another
\ revolution or rehelllon , which Spain
. has sworn to crush at any cost. Other
vessels are discovered , and scores or
'
.x.
.
4 cs
' \
Y
1' '
,
mt I \ \ u - - \ \ . _
- , ,
1 -
, ' \
/
She has advanced quickly to his side.
I smaller craft. The effect as the sun-
light falls upon the scene Is Indeed
amazing.
f Taking a vehicle , our friends are
soon threading Obispo , or Bishop
street , on the way to the chief hotel
b or the city , which faces the Prado , or
w # 'publlc square , said to he several miles
In length.
Jack Is Interested In all he sees ,
, but Smithers rather draws back In the
? carriage , as though not desirous or
beln recognized by some one whom
.
. .
- . .
he has reason to believe may be In I
Havana. ,
I
There Is that In the air that declares
this land , In spite of Its mlUlY draw-
backs , to he the theater of romance-
an utterly indescribable charm that
steals over the senses. The ' gaily
dressed people , the lounging , Spanish
soldiers encountered everywhere , the
strings of mules bearing burdens ,
often bedight with colors and bearing -
Ing tinkling bells , but belabored with
the same brutality aH In Spain , Morocco .
rocco , at' Egypt-these and the general
holiday aspect or the place with decorations .
rations to catch the eye and draw attention -
tention to window display , combine
to make a scene that ( drives away dull
care ; while at night the sound of
music on every hand , the flash of fire-
flies , and the scent or orange blossoms .
soms In the air make one begin to believe .
1I0ve there Is , after all , a land of enchantment -
chantment , and that Ir ( the eyes be
shut to the coarser Hide of the picture ,
Havana . Is Its abiding place
And it Is this strange country Jack
has come with the desperate resolve
to win the love of his wife-to stand
between that sweet Highland lassie
and the dangers which some Intuition
tells him must beset her path In this
land , where the twang of the sere-
nader's guitar Is Interrupted by the
crack of the Insur ent's rifle.
CHAPTER X.
- - -
A Little Cuban Beauty.
On the way up Obispo street Jack
changes his mind and asks his com-
panion with regard to other hotels
than the ono on the Prado , since In
all probability Senor Rohlado will con-
duct his little company thither upon
landing ; and however happy Jack
might be to sleep under the same roof
as the fair maid of Scotia , he realizes
that such a thing mal involve discovery -
cover ' . and set hack their plans.
Smithers appears to hesitate , as
though revolving r.omethlng in hi ;
mind.
"I might risk It , " he says , softly.
"Come , sing out what you think , "
urges Jaclc.
"Let mo give the driver an address , "
continues Job , as though he has decided -
cided
;
'
So their route Is changed and presents '
ents they plunge Into another street ,
where new scenes attract attention
Ah Sin smiles to see the familiar signs
of Chinese laundries , while Jack pokes
his head out to watch the most.
astonishing delivery or fresh milk on
record , the cow being driven to the
door or each customer , and the quantity -
ty desired extracted on the spot with
no question as to Its purltr.
Noticing their tortuous course
Jack Is beginning to show some curi-
osity with regard to their destination ,
whereupon Smithers proceeds to enlighten -
lighten him In a manner that only :
serves : lo whet the appetite or Travers
for m 'ster ' .
"I nm going to the houo of a friend
who will welcome you , because he Is :
under obligations to me. More than
this I cannot say just now , but In
time mar tell you a strange story concerning .
cernlng my former adventures In this
mad town. All I ask Is , that should
you at any time while under this
Crlend's roof , notice anything that
strikes you as singular , you will make
no remark , "
or course Jack at once promises
though the fact remains that his curi-
osity has been more than ever aroused
br Joh's words
Suddenly the vehicle brings up ; they
have arrived at their destination.
"Romain seated a little until I see
.
my friend and tell him of your comIng -
Ing "
So saying the agent springs out and
passes some words In Spanish with
the driver.
Jack fees ! him open a door In n
.
"
high wall , and Is struCK with the fact
that Smllhers appears to bo quite at
home
Presently ho 1IIIII0arl1 agnln. No
one could tell from his solemn face
whether ho carries good news or bad ;
at u funeral or n wedding time sphnlx
would appear the same.
"It'1I : all right , sir. Driver droll the
luggage ; and hero's an extra hit oC
silver for the delay , "
Once beyond the door In the wall ,
Jack finds himself In IL garden , 'Iow-
ers gleam amid time green foliage , and
their rich fragrance scents the air.
Come , this Is somethIng lIlw ( Pumdlse ,
only tom' ' the everlasting fleas that Inhabit -
habit the sandy soil und persist 111
v
4 ; ;
,1'i ' Il f r
,
t t !
c _ I
\ \ \ \ jp
Has changed his gi1rb.
making : life hllsorahlo for the stranger :
u _
within time gutes.
Smithers takes ! him Into the house
with a familiarity that proclaims his
acquaintance with the place. A few
black servants lilt about , but no master -
ter nppears. Jack 11:1 : a poor hand at
asking questions , and prefers to walt
until It Is his comrado's pleasure to
lift the curtain. At meal limo they
will doubtless he made acquainted
with the Iclnd owner.
Ah Sin has given over the luggage
to 0. couple of stout blnelcs , who imp-
peal' to be dressed In something like
IIver . . Really they must have happened .
pelled into the palace at a naboh.
Smithers must have had swell acquaintances '
quo.lntances when In Havana. Perhaps .
hUllS his name Is not Smithers at all-
that might he' a name assumed for the
the purpose of hiding his Idenlilr.
Can the strange story he has half
promised to tell have some connection
with this land or. paradise ? One can
easily Imagine any romantic tale when
surrollluled by such an atmosphere.
Jack has changed his garb and
made himself look quite attractive ;
like some men , he has the knack of
doing It , with a figure Apollo , might
envy , thick curly hair , and a careless
way of knotting the flowing tie that
somehow 01' other attracts : admiring
glances , especially from female ores
Just now Jack Is not caring a pica-
yune about suety damsel on earth other
than Jessie Cameron
Perhaps that Is just why Fate pleases .
es to bring him In contact with 0.
counter Irritant.
I
Tiring of wailing for Smlthors , and
being a IIttlo curious , Jack steps out :
Into the comt. No one Is there.
Birds sing In cages , hut the gleam of
brlght.hued flowers In the garden
3ornehow seems to beclon him tinder
the arch , and almost before he ] snows
It ho has drawn near time fOllntaln.
He h"s seen no one but as he ]
stoops to have his hnnd In the sparkling -
ling water a low sigh catches his ear.
Glancing UII , ho discovers that not
more than six feet away half con-
cealed in the tropical growth just beside -
side the fountain , Is a female figure.
As yet ho has only a glimpse or nn
apparently faultless form , below the
average In size , dressed richly after
a style that might bespeak the Cuban
01' Spanish lady.
Jack Is a little ombarrassed.
The little lady-posslhly the ) laughter .
tel' . or mayhap the wife or this ' host-
has not noticed his presence as yet.
It he could only withdraw as silent-
, , " " 'I' ,
. ,
Iy aD ho hna apparently come ! But
al time first move on his part ho sees
hel' turn as though alma too would quill
the slot. )
A meeting hI t.hercoro inevitable
Another Instl\nt and Jack tl1uts him-
self \ looking Into time romarll\bly fine ,
face of a little Cuban boaut . .
lie opera his mouth to apologize for
his lack or cOllrtellY In ! tints \ disturbing
her } ; privacy , but his tongue refuses to
act , clinging to the roof or his mouth
with BlII'ln'lse
As for the girl , she seems to share
his IlHtonlshmcnt.
Evidently this Is not time first time
Senor Jack and the binclc , eyed damsel
have looked Into each othel"s faco.
" "
"LoIn !
Ills lips forlll the musical nome , and
at the Hound of his voice her face
brightens with sudden pleasuro.
" 't ' hen my eyes do not deceive me.
It 11:1 : really you , Senor Jncl I dill
not dream such a thing. But indeed
you arc welcome. 1 need hardly tell
you that. "
She has advanced . quickly to bi8
side , holding out both hands , which
ho III bound to tnlce. ( The eager light
In her eyes , the flush upon her face , {
combine to form a lovely picture , and ;
Jack would hardly bo human It hI
failed to bo affected In some decree t
by It. kt ,
"This Is a great ; surprise to mo. t
had no idea or ever meeting you ngaln.
Believe mo , I am glad to see you
looking HO well aflli 60 happy , " be
says , warmb'
"Ah , senor , hardly that. I shall ; '
never know the same happiness n8 01 '
,
old again That ] terrible shock
changed mo from 1\ girl to 11 woman. ,
And , senor there has not a day gone
by that I have not thought of you , and r
prayed the Virgin to watch' ' over you. I
- . . . . .
hall ( not hoped \ lO over lice you again
It IR a great pleRlIIro. You opened my
eyes to the baseness of that imam who i ,
had won my girlish heart , and wheo .
he Insulted me-tho cowl1rd-lt !
your arm that struck him down , friend
of yourn though ho had been. Ah , yes
Sonar Jack , two years have since
flown , hut I shall never forget "
There Is witchery In her presence
which he feels but cnnnol explain
Around her hovers a sweet perfume ,
such as the daughters or the East der
light to weave Into their hair or about
their flowing garmonts. Jack feels tbs
power of her flashing eyes , noVo' 60
dreamy or lull or unshed tears : but
ho Is in 11 position to resist , for CIOlE :
against his heart us a shield he peeps
time picture or sweet Jessie Cameron
and with this sentinel on guard none
dare enter that eltndel.
lie has marked It "taleen. "
"I am surprised to find you hi Ha-
vana. When last I saw you It was In
the old city at Santa . Fe , In New'Mexl- !
co , " he remarks , Uti ho releases tin
fluttering hands.
"And perhaps you thought Mexico
my home ; but I am a Cuban , Senor
Jack , and there Is no place In the
world . like this dearly-helo\'e.i . IHle. "
"There are many charming features
about It , 1 confess ; and I am pleased
to discover that your life has not
\
been ruined hy that wretched fiasco
In the past. I shall forget it It you
wish , and remember It no moro. "
.
"You are Ielnd. How can I thank
I
you , Senor Jacl Since that day have
you over seen him ? "
how strongly she emphasizes the
pronoun , and what a look flashes eve
her face !
( To be contlnucd. ) =
- - - - - - -
Argument Unanswer ble. r
Commissioner Woodbury of the department - a
partment or street cleaning tells this
anecdote or friend of his who was
walking through Central park the oth-
er day. Doing In somewhat of a hur-
ry , he started to cut across the grass
at one place , but was stopped by a r.
park policeman , who remonstrated
with him
What difference does It wake ? "
asked the New Yorker "Tho grass
Is halt dead , an ' \\'ay. ' "
"Sure , an' what If Il Is ? " respond- f .
ed the Indignant guardian or the
peace. "Sure an' It yez : bad a sick
friend would yez be takln' a walk ! OD
Irma atomucb-Ncw York 'llmeR ,