The Heart's Secret; Or, the Fortunes of a Soldier: a Story of Love and the Low Latitudes.

time-worn and moss-covered cathedrals appear to stand as grim records of the past, whose noble palaces and residences of the rich give token of the fact of i

ted with the fragrant flowers of the tropics, and with statues and fountains innumerable, that the beauty

perhaps of twenty-four or five years of age, and clothed in the plain undress uniform of the Spanish army. His features were of that national and handsome cast that is peculiar to the full-blooded Castilian, and the pure olive of his complexion contrasted finely with a moustache and imperial as black as

nner of the young officer from that moment was the very antipodes of what it had been a few moments before. A change seemed to have come over the spirit of his dream. His fine military figure became erect and dignified, and a slight indication of satisfied pride was just visible in the fine lines of his

first moment he had looked upon her-just two years previous, when he first came from Spain. Had not this high-born and proud lady publicly saluted him? Him, a poor lieutenant of infantry, who had never dared to lift his eyes to meet her own before, however deep and ardently he might have worshipped h

ng this, loved him as well as brothers might love. He seemed decidedly to prefer solitude and his books to the social ga

at least so it seemed to him, and that was the army. Two years before the opening of our story he had enlisted as a third lieutenant of infantry, and had been at once ordered to the West Indies with his entire regiment. Here promotion for more than one gallant act closely followed him, until at the ti

at her very feet, watching for one glance of encouragement or kindness from those dark and lustrous eyes of jet; in short, he saw her ever the centre of an admiring circle of the rich and proud. It is perhaps strange, but nevertheless true, that with all these discouraging and dis

is would one day be rewarded. What prophets of the future are youth and love! Distant as the star of his destiny appeared from him, he yet sti

enant Bezan was officer of the night, his rounds having fortunately brought him to the quay at the most opportune moment. He knew not who it was

ad so fortunately saved, may be better imagined than described, when his love for the boy's sister is remembered. And when, as we have related, the prou

and rank would permit them to associate with one bearing only a lieutenant's commission, who would not have been proud of his notice and homage. He could not be ign

the Senorita Isabella dropped her fan upon the carriage-road. As the young officer sprang to pick it up and return it, she bade the calesaro to halt. Her father, Don Gonzales, wa

, Isabella, who yesternight so promptly and

her," said the beauty

eneral told us, I believ

the name

ezan?" asked Don Gonzales

" replied he, bow

hand to the blushing soldier, "permit me and my daughter to thank you sincerely

experienced," answered Lieutenant Bezan; saying which, he bowed low and looked once into the lovely eyes of the

between him and the occupants of the vehicle. Scarcely had he left the side of the volante, when he

n Gonzales and his fair daughter, that he stops

d it up and returned it to her," was the gentle

the general, sneeringly, a

al, and I r

mmanding officers, wi

less, general?" ask

ather some service, sir. Perhaps you would relish another cold bath," he con

t brought us together. You will

d

had never exchanged

resume to establis

me, and I was proud to return the pol

btle

ave me do ot

oid this family of G

or daughter, though by the tone of your remarks I seem to have incurred

, than to spend his hours off duty in so conspicuous and public a place as the Tacon Paseo. I shall see th

respond to, General Harero," replied the young officer, as he respectfully salut

an," said the general

er, with the prompt military

ips with vexation. "Another time will answer my purpose

he soldier, respectfully,

ng figure, yet was endowed with no such personal advantages to recommend him to a lady's eye as did the young officer who had thus provoked him, and he could not relish the idea that one who had already rendered such signal services to the Senorita Isabella a

unwilling spectator, and even at times the innocent agent of scenes that were revolting to his better feelings, which emanated solely from this arbitrary power vested in heartless and incompetent individuals by means of their military rank. Musing thus upon the singular state of his affairs, and the events of the last two days, so important to his feelings, no

quence thereof, than he would have boldly broken down any other strict rule and principle of his aristocratic nature; and yet he was not ungrateful; far from it, as Lieutenant Bezan had reason to know, for he applied his great infl

covered that Lieutenant Bezan had already been promoted twice for distinguished merit, and replied to Don Gonzales that, as this was the case, and the young soldier was found to be so deserving, he should cheerfully comply with his request as it regarded hi

in all things, and the manner of his promoting Lieutenant Bezan was a striking witness of these ve

eutenant Lo

our exc

sixth in

lency,

mpany

y eight, e

nder is Gen

lency,

uay night before l

lency,

ter to save a boy's lif

, exce

re succ

lency,

even months since in

excell

here is a new co

e only too kind to

, Lorenzo Bezan felt that he was richly repaid for the risk he had run by this promotion alone; but there was a source of gratification to him far beyond that of having changed his title to captain. He had served and b

, was attributed by the young officer to the right source,

ble, when all were met. "A bumper to Captain Lorenzo Bezan. May he

ret of Bezan's good

e sure-born und

plied a fellow-officer. "Haven't you heard of his saving the life of

know about the affair,

uncture, we will follow the thread of our story