The sun descended low in the west behind
a terrace of purple and silver-gold clouds,
above which his prismatic colored beams radiated
to the zenith. Gold was every where!
upon the cliff-edge; upon the tops of the forests;
upon the battlements of the tower;
upon the clouds and upon the sea. All was
gold mingled with purple. The breeze set in
cool and pleasantly, and already lifted in its
increasing strength the silken folds of the
canopy beneath which Donna Anita slept.
The same wind that tossed her dark curls
awoke the negress, who began with great diligence
to fan away with her gorgeous crest of
feathers. The cool air upon her cheek banished
sleep and opening her large dreamy
eyes, Donna Anita awoke also. She sat up,
throwing back her cloud of hair from her forehead,
and casting her eyes round upon the
glorious sunsetting, gazed upon it a few moments
with calm delight.

`You have let me sleep long, Linda. The
day is nearly closed. You look so bright you
have been asleep too.'

`Dat must be true, missus, coz leetle bit
'go de sun up dar, and den I look agin ony
a minnit and dare he be.'

`How lonely without my brother! I am
delighted he is to bring home with him a bride.
She will then be a companion for me in his
absences. Come let us go down to the sala!'

`Madre de Dios!' cried the negress in alarm
her eyes resting on the young man who was
lying fast asleep a few feet distant.

`What do you see?' cried her mistress looking
in the direction of the slave's gaze. `Santa
Maria! A stranger! Asleep upon the
Azotea!'

She rose to her feet, thrust her little foot
into her slipper and gathering her mantilla
about her form was about to fly. But he slept
calmly and tranquilly. If he meant ill he
would not lie there buried in profound repose.
If he were an enemy he would not place himself
in the power of his foe.

Such were the thoughts that passed rapidly
hrough her mind as with her eyes fixed upon

[figure description] Page 035.[end figure description]

him in alarm and half-flying, she arrested her
flight. His pale face, his noble countenance,
his fair complexion and light brown hair that
showed him to be from a northern land, his
garments evidently wet with sea-water the
salt brine of which encrusted his locks, the
quiet, deep sleep in which he was sunk, all
pleaded to her in his behalf. She paused and
then timidly approached him. She stood still,
and gazed upon him as he had upon her while
she slept. As she looked and thought that
perhaps he was a shipwrecked sailor who had
sought asylum here, she felt a tender interest
for him, and compassion took the place of
fear. Yet how he came to lie upon the azotea
she was at a loss to imagine. In a low voice
she bade her slave go down and awake Jose.
But this worthy at the same instant made his
appearance at the head of the stairs.

`How is this, Jose?' How come this young
man here?' she asked.

`Nombre de dios! how came he here sure
enough!'

`Don't speak so loud! Don't wake him! Do
you know who he may be?'

`It may be a robber or a loyalist come as a
spy. I had best run him through before he
wakes up and mischief come of it.'

`No, Jose! He seems to be a foreigner!
An Ingles, or Americano. Go softly near and
see if you can decide for me who and what he
is.'

Jose obeyed advancing on tip-toe, but with
his staff advanced like a pike to be ready to
meet any sudden hostile demonstrations.

`Es caballero, senora,' he answered after a
moment's scrutiny; `and he is an officer in
the American navy. I know the button. I
have seen them often in Havana. The little
gold stripe on his shoulder shows that he is a
lieutenant. That much I can make out.'

`I am so happy he is an American,' said
Donna Anita, with carnestness; I love the
Americans. They are friends of liberty. He
must be taken care of when he awakes. But
how came he here, Jose?'

`I do not know, senora, unless that he came
in past me and Fingo who both fell asleep
leaving the sea gate open to let the sea breeze
and picaroons too, come in, for that matter!
It's a mercy they didn't carry us off casa and
all!'

`It is dangerous in these times, when pirates
are so thickly abroad and even coming
into the Bay, to leave the Quinta so exposed.'

`I will not be guilty of it again, senora.
He must have come in and come up here to
sleep, knowing the custom here of taking our
siesta upon the house-top. But it is a wonder
no one saw him. But as we were all
asleep we couldn't. He must be honest or he
would have robbed us. No—he is no robber.
His dress is already wet and with the sea. He
looks like a man who has been swimming.
We have not forgotten the hurricane of last
night, senora, that we should ask how he came
here! He has been shipwrecked and wandered
hither for shelter! I will wake him,
senora! He can then tell his own story.'

`Nay, Jose, let the poor cavalier sleep. He
seems wearied. He wakes!' she exclaimed,
as the young stranger opened his eyes and
looked around. At first he seemed bewildered,
but on seeing Anita he recollected all the
circumstances that preceeded his going to
sleep. He rose, with some difficulty, for he
felt the effects of his fatigues and the wounds
in his feet, and said with courtesy, while the
color deepened his cheek,

`Pardon me, senora. I am a shipwrecked
sailor, and coming hither and finding all
asleep, overcome with weariness I slept also.
My sleep was sweet and my dreams were
pleasant for I knew an angel was near me.'

Donna Anita blushed, for she could not but
understand the meaning of the handsome,
pale young stranger. Without meeting his
deep impassioned yet respectful gaze, she said,
with modesty,

`Senor you are welcome to our hospitality.
The gates of the Casa del Torre were never
closed against the unfortunate. I sympathise
with you in your misfortune and trust that by
our kindness we shall be able in some degree
to alleviate that grief which you must experience
for the loss of your vessel and companions.
Are you the only one saved?'

`I said I was shipwrecked, senora,' answered
the stranger with increased admiration of
her now that he had heard her rich sweet
voice and listened to her warm expressions of
sympathy; `my vessel, lady, is not lost, that
I am aware of; though how she can have out-lived
the hurricane I am unable to see! In
the midst of it as we were running before it
under bare poles, as I was standing on deck a
sea broke over the stern which submerged the
vessel and swept every thing from the decks.

[figure description] Page 036.[end figure description]

I was borne far from her, and rising upon
the top of a wave saw the vessel flying away
like an arrow beyond sound of my cries. I
gave myself up to a sailor's death, when something
struck against me. I grasped it! I
clung to it, and fortunately found attached to
it its lashings with which I bound myself to it
by one arm. I then endeavored to reach the
land which was full a league distant. The
sea was as white with foam as a wintry plain
over which the wild snow is driven. I was
borne onward almost on the wings of the
storm often lifted by its force from the waves
amid clouds of spray and dashed headlong.
How I reached the land I know not. I have
no recollection of the remainder of the night.
When the sun rose I found myself lying upon
a rocky spur of a small island at the entrance
of this bay.'

`God be blessed for this miraculous preservation!
' exclaimed Donna Anita devoutly.
Jose crossed himself and muttered `Ave
Maria purissima.'

`After coming a little to myself I looked
round for some signs of human habitation and
discovered this Vermilion Tower in the distance.
I then set out to reach it; but my
progress was attended with great pain and
suffering. I had to swim from islet to islet
before I could reach the main-land; and
thence after a difficult journey I reached here.
I found the gate open and entered. I ascended
to the azotea, where I beheld you, noble
lady, also asleep beneath yonder canopy, I
gazed on you and forgot all I had suffered.
But sleep overpowered me and I yielded to its
influence, only to behold you still present in
my dreams. Senora if I have offended by intruding
here I hope—

`Offended, senor! You are welcome! Heaven
has directed your steps hither! Jose you
will at once see that el senor has every thing
to render him comfortable, food and clothing.
Conduct him to Basilio's chamber and let him
choose from Basilio's wardrobe.'

`Senora, your goodness—'

`Not a word, senor Americano,' answered
Anita laughing. `You must do as I bid you.
Go with Jose who will see to your comfort.
After you have reposed awhile and made your
toilet I will visit you. Jose is a good medico,
and will do something to heal your lacerated
feet. Pobsecito! I need not assure you,
senor, how much my heart sympathises in
your distresses. But Heaven has preserved
your life, and for this we are all thankful!'
If the young stranger was charmed by her
beauty as she slept, he was enchanted by the
grace and unaffected simplicity of her manners
and the noble traits of character her conversation
exhibited. The impression her loveliness
of human face and person had first made
upon his mind was now deepened by the superior
loveliness of her mind and heart. Donna
Anita could not fail to read his admiration
in his expressive blue eyes, which seemed to
to her


`— as deep and full of light,
As the star-lit skies
Of a summer's night.'

He left her guided by Jose who led him to
the magnificent camera occupied by Basilio
when at the tower.

`Senor is an officer of La armada Americana?
' asked Jose as he ushered him into the
chamber.

`Yes,' Senor, answered the young man in
pure Spanish.

`You were in the schooner that was in the
offing just before sun-down yesterday?'

`Yes. Did you discover us?'

Si, Senor! You were about three leagues
or ten miles off! I know she was a schooner
of war; and when the tornado came on I
feared for her!'

`I have little hopes that she has escaped.
She is, however, a good sea-boat and as dry
as a teal!'

She may have taken the tornado near its
edge and got out of it. But is hardly possible!
What schooner was it, Escelentissimo?'

`The Porpoise, U. S. schooner of six guns.
We were cruising after pirates. I was her
commander. We left Matanzas three weeks
ago, and during that time I have taken and
burnt one piratical craft and driven two on
shore. We were in chase of a heavy lugger
sloop carrying a forty eight pounder amidships,
and thirty men, when the tornado came
upon us. The lugger aided by her sweeps
run for the land and I have no doubt got
shelter in some inlet before the storm burst!
Whose Quinta is this in which I am so hospitably
entertained, Senor?'

`It is that of El Senor Don Basilio Marial,
and of his sister La Senorita Dona Anita.
They are the orphan children of Don Lazaro,
the Patriot conspirator who was executed at
Havanna some years since! and a nobler

[figure description] Page 037.[end figure description]

breast was never pierced by a bullet! He was
my master and friend, Senor!'

`And where is Don Basilio?'

`Like his father he is a patriot. His ambition
is to see Cuba free from the yoke of Spain
and governed by her own children, and by a
free constitution. To this end he devotes his
life, influence, energies and wealth. I speak
openly to you, Senor Escelentissimo, because
I know you too are a friend of liberty. I wish
Don Basilio were at home now to receive you.
He would be happy to have as his guest un
Americano caballero. He loves the Americans,
Senor. I love the Americans! Dona
Anita loves the Americans!'

At the name of Dona Anita the young
American's pale cheek glowed, and his eyes
sparkled.

`And Donna Anita! has she lived always
here?'

`She has never been away, save once to Havanna,
when a child.'

`She—she—that is—is Don Basilio, her brother
married?'

`No, senor. He is now gone to Havanna
to bring here a bride. We expect him in a
week, and trust we shall have your excelleney's
company until he arrives. Don Basilio
would feel glad to grasp the hand of an American.
'

`And Donna Anita, his lovely sister,—has
she—that is—does she contemplate marriage?'

`No, senor! the Donna Anita loves no one
but her brother. For that matter, secluded
here all her life she has seen no one to love
worthy her rank. Yet she has a noble great
heart, excellentissimo, and would pour a
wealth of its rich treasures into any man's bosom
whom she could love!'

The young man's countenance beamed with
delight. The words of old Jose filled him
with a joy he could not conceal. This conversation
took place while Jose was carefully
binding up his wounded feet, after having
bathed them, and robed him in one of Don Basilio's
dressing-gowns. He was refreshed by
suitable food prepared and sent into him by
Donna Anita, and by Jose's direction, he laid
down to repose for the night.

Jose returned to Donna Anita who had left
him in the azotea, and was seated in the sala,
her thoughts running upon the handsome
young American officer, whom fortune had
thrown upon her hospitality. She recalled
his looks, his smile, the tone of his voice, the
devoted respect and deep admiration of his
manner towards her. As she suffered her
thoughts to dwell upon him, his image deepened
its impression upon her heart, and tender
feelings began to arise in her bosom, such
as she never before experienced. They
were not such as she had all her life entertained
for her brother, but dissimilar, and yet
originating like these, in the very depths of
her being. Those with which she regarded
Basilio wero deep, quiet, peaceful, like the
tranquil flow of a summer's stream. Those
which the young stranger awakened were like
the same stream agitated by rapids and wildly
tossed by the winds. Their novelty surprised
and yet pleased her, communicating to her
soul a secret delight amid all the commotion
that they occasioned. Love, new, fresh, pure,
had taken possession of her virgin bosom, and
to its hallowed influence she yielded up her
senses as in a pleasant dream when one is
half-waking.

It was in the gentle mood of heretofore unknown
bliss that Jose found her, after quitting
the young stranger.

`How did you leave our guest, Jose?' she
asked, deeply blushing as if she feared he had
read her thoughts.

`He sleeps, Senora! He is a pleasant gentlemen—
un caballero! I have dressed his
wounds; they will be healed in three days.
He partook of the wine and orange orgeat, and
other refreshments you sent him and bade me
thank you!'

`Did he say nothing more, Jose?'

`Oh yes, Senora! He talked a great deal
and asked me a great many questions about
you!'

Then Jose began in detail, with certain em
bellishments of his own, what had transpired
and all that had been said by the young Americano.
Dona Anita listened well-pleased; and
the joy of her heart was deepened at the consciousness
of having awakened an interest in
the breast of one in whom she felt her happiness
was being deeply involved.

The next morning the guest who had given
his name to Jose as Walter Nevil, having
signified to Jose that he was so far recovered
from his fatigue as to be able to walk in the
patio, on this being duly reported to Dona
Anita she invited him to breakfast with her.
Their meeting was not without

[figure description] Page 038.[end figure description]

embarrassment; for in both their breasts love had taken
deep root. Walter scarce raised his eyes
to hers, as he saluted her, and she timidly dropped
her own as she replied. He took a seat
opposite to her, and for a few moments both
remained silent. He was too fearful of betraying
too much if he spoke, and she trembling
lest if she looked up or opened her lips the
first word or look would betray her passion.
Old Jose who stood by gazed from one to the
other, gently shrugged his shoulders, and a
significant expression of intelligence passed
across his features. The old man saw at a
glance how matters stood. The discovery
gave him no little satisfaction which he betrayed
by a bright sparkle in the eye and a
smile that played about his mouth. Oppressed
by the silence Walter raised his eyes to
address his lovely hostess. It so chanced that
she raised hers at the same instant! Their
glances fully encountered—an interchange of
expression passed—an involuntary knowledge
of each other's passion, was conveyed like
electricity from eye to eye thrilling the deepest
toned chords of both their hearts! The
glow of pleasure which deepened the cheek
and brow of the young man was reflected in
lovlier and softer tints from her own, and that
moment their happiness was too great for utterance.
Dona Anita rose as if to fly for joy
and shame, but the happy youth arresting her
hand caught it to his lips and reseated her,
and yielding to his gentle entreaty resumed
the seat she had left. Jose had discreetly left
the sala, and the young lover did not fail to
take advantage of the favored moment to plead
in tones of passion the depth and purity of his
first love!

Days passed, and the young lovers were
happy in each other's presence. The Vermilion
tower had become a paradise. Don Waltero,
as old Jose had denominated him, had
related all his history, and Donna Anita in return
had told him the story of her family.—
His sympathies as an American, was with the
conspirator and his family, and he panted in
his enthusiasm, to behold and clasp hands with
Don Basilio, whom he began to esteem for his
patriotism as well as love for his near relationship
to her whom each day he more and more
idolized. In her society he forgot his fatigues,
his ship wreck, the fate of his companions and
vessel, and even the future, with its calls to
duty. Each day he was improving in his
health and strength, and at the time when
Donna Anita is introduced watching from the
tower for the return of her brother—the vessel
of Isidoro hove in sight bearing the news of
his imprisonment, he had so far recovered as
to ride out with her in short excursions along
the retired shores of the Bay. At times the
thought of rejoining his frigate then at Havana,
would pass over his mind, but he would
banish it, and gazing in the face of Anita banish
all else but her image and his happiness
n her presence from his mind.

But as he grew strong and well, and his
duty would call more loudly than was welcome
to the ear of his conscience, he would
plead to himself the necessity of waiting the
return of Basilio, who would furnish him in
his vessel with a passage to the Havana.

`It is true,' he said, as he sat in his room on
the morning on which Jose and Donna Anita
discovered the sail, `it is true I am now quite
recovered, and my honor calls me at once to
report myself alive and ready for duty again.
But courtesy renders it expedient I should
await Don Basilio's arrival, who is daily looked
for. My happiness, dear Anita has placed
in his hands! I must obtain his consent before
I can claim the lovely girl as my bride.—
I will wait. I think I shall perform my part
by writing to the ship and informing the Captain
of my safety, say that I shall return as
soon as I can take passage in a vessel I am
expecting into the Bay! This I will do; and
when Don Basilio's vessel comes I will ask
permission to sail in her. I will write at
once!'

With this resolution he sat down and wrote
a letter to the captain of the Razee, then supposed
to be in Havana, giving him a flrief account
of his cruise and of his being washed
overboard and of his safety. Having completed
it, he took horse, and without communicating
with Donna Anita, who with Jose were
then engaged in watching the sail they had
discovered, he took his way through the sccret
foot-path in the forest to the nighest post,
two leagues distant in the interior. Here he
deposited his letter, and then returned to the
Tower, which he reached just as Donna Anita
appeared from the beach where Isidoro had
landed and communicated to her the news of
Don Basilio's imprisonment.