tourists, who had hoped to take a look into that awful chamber in which so many hopes had been forever buried. It was the cell of the condemned, from which they only issued to die. The American youth turned to the sad, disappointed face of his beautiful companion, and, heaving a sigh, remarked:

"We had greatly hoped, señor, that you would let us have a peep into that famous dungeon of which we have heard so much"; and as he spoke he carelessly took a handful of gold coin from his pocket, clinking it very significantly.

The guard's eyes glistened at the sight of the money; but tho he was avaricious and not morally above bribery, he shook his head sternly and said:

"No, señor, it can not be done. I love gold, but what is gold to me without life? My orders are strict, and violation of them is death."

The young American, finding it useless to offer further inducements, turned to his pretty companion, who fondly clung to his arm, gazing into his face with longing eyes, and said: "Let us go above, where the air is more pure."

Her silence was assent, and the two went to the upper chamber, across the parapet and to the hillside beyond, which has since been torn and scarred by shells from the war-ships of Sampson and Schley. A few palms and coco-trees grew along the hill-side, forming a delightful shade from the scorching rays

of the sun, while a gentle breeze, blowing from the

deep blue sea,

fanned and

cooled their

heated cheeks

as they wandered to a large stone be

neath a palm and seated themselves.

"It is no use, Viola," he said, after they had been seated several mo

ments, gazing

sadly and si

lently at the murmuring sea. "We have done

all in our power to gain admission, but are baffled."

The señorita's great dark eyes drooped in sorrow as she answered:

"It is there, Hernando; I know it is there. My

mother has often told me of that awful day when, for the last time, she saw her father before he fell from yonder cliff to feed the sharks, dying with the name of Cuba on his lips. He gave her the paper I have shown you, which is so full of mystery. If we should tell the officers the secret of the loose stone in the wall, they would be quick to investigate for themselves. When mother told me of it, and gave me the paper, I promised her I would solve the mystery."

"Sh-h! not so loud, Viola, here comes a Spanish officer. He is watching us, and we might say something that will let him into the secret we are to guard with our lives."

The officer sauntered near them, walked to a distant seat, threw himself upon it, and lighted a cigar. Hernando and his fair companion remained silent until he rose and returned to the fort. Then Hernando heaved a sigh and said:

"It seems useless for you to worry yourself about this secret, Viola; it is certainly lost, hidden by those surly guards, who permit no one to enter the death-chamber."

Then the pretty face became pensive and sad, and she was all unmindful of the zorale, that, buffoon like, hopped near her, gazed at her comically, and seemed trying in every possible way to make himself ludicrous.

A tear stole from the beautiful eye and trickled