Armando Palacio Valdes

Maximina Armando Palacio Valdes

Miguel reached Pasajes late Friday afternoon. On alighting from the train he found Ursula's boat moored to the shore. "Good afternoon, Don Miguel," said the boat-woman, showing genuine joy in her face, where the fires of alcohol were flaming more than ever brilliantly; "I was beginning to think that I should not see you again." "Indeed!" "How should I know?... Men are so queer about getting married!.... But, senorito, you can't imagine how glad everybody in the village was to hear about it!.... Only a few jealous women would not believe it.... How I will make 'em fume to-night! I'm going all around telling everybody that I myself brought you over to Don Valentin's." "Don't think of making any one fume," replied the young man, laughing; "but bend to your oars a little more." "Are you in a hurry to see Maximina?" "Of course I am.""