The silver buttons of Don Esteban.

The silver buttons of Don Esteban.

A thousand times I said to my brother, 'See, Esteban, this young gentleman is not for your daughter'very sympathetic, very lively, and wearing the uniform of the Academy like no one else, leader of a group of the wildest cadets in all their escapades about the town, besides a son of a great familywealthy people who did not allow him to come to Toledo with his purse empty.

Esteban has never been good for much, and now after this affair of his daughter he seemed to become quite imbecile.

Esteban was also very much concerned at the state of his brother's health.

" The certainty that death would at last be victorious made Esteban redouble his efforts.

The constant watching over the sick man had upset Esteban's economic life; his miserable wages and the poor assistance the Chapel-master could give were insufficient even for that extra mouth, which consumed more than all the others in the household put together.

He inquired of Esteban as to what he could possibly do, not to remain inactive, but his brother always answered with his kindly expression: "Take care of yourself, only take care of yourself; you have no other duty but to look after your own health, I am here to do all the rest.

It is the best time, for Esteban is in the choir, and you will have time to settle things here.

You know Esteban, and you know me.

Are you worse?" "Sit down, Esteban.

When are you going to stop?" said Esteban, becoming very gloomy; "why do you speak to me on a day so holy of things that cause me so much pain?" "Esteban, we shall never understand each other if you hold on to your prejudices.

When are you going to stop?" said Esteban, becoming very gloomy; "why do you speak to me on a day so holy of things that cause me so much pain?" "Esteban, we shall never understand each other if you hold on to your prejudices.

Esteban, we are separated by our beliefs, the gulf of centuries lies between us, but you are my brother, we love each other, and I only desire your good.

May she not be lying in a hospital while you are living in the home of your fathers?" Esteban's brow contracted, and he wore his gloomiest look as he listened to his brother.

No, Esteban, the love of children and pity for their faults ought to come before all prejudices.

Come, Esteban, this is not worthy of a man.

Reflect, Esteban, on the way in which your poor daughter fell.

" Esteban, with his head bent, continued to make gestures of refusal.

In the name of my morality I say to you, Esteban, my brother, either your daughter returns here or I go away.

" Esteban had risen to his feet with a gesture of despair.

"Be calm, Esteban.

Where is she that you plead so earnestly for her?" said Esteban.

When dinner was over Esteban fled, not to return to the house till night-time; after supper he locked himself into his own room, leaving his brother and his daughter in possession of the entrance sitting-room.

After having been harassed in Aparri he was taken to Tuguegarao at the request of Esteban Quinta or Isidoro Maquigat, two artful filibusters thirsting to revenge themselves on the Lieutenant, who during the time of the Spanish government had justly laid his heavy hand upon them.