The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1854-09-06
Loves Desperation

Loves Desperation.
Beautiful, peerlessly beautiful is the lad,
Manuelita, the only daughter of Rosas, the ia
nous and powerful president of the Argentin,
republic; powerful in the strength of his mind
and in the iron resolution of his character
which has enabled him to control and sway
people whom none save him can keepin order
and to defy the united attempts of England
and France to break up his commerce and benc
him to their terms.
We say that the lady Manuelita is beautiful
but her talents, graces, and accomplishments
alone sustain and render her beauties perfec
and harmonious
1t almost seems subject of surprise tha
this fair lady, so attractive in manners, and SC
elevated in her position, should have arrived al
the age of twenty five years, without thought
of approaching the hymenlal altar, yet SO il
hath been; not however, from lack of solicita-
ton and opportunity; for many a noble and
brave cavalier has knelt and sued for the love
and hand which mi ght bless king, but be-
cause:
First, of all her suitors, not one, when weigh
ed in the careful balance of her discriminating
judgment, but lacked some of those qualities
of head and heart which alone could win and
fix her pure and lofty affections.
Secondhand any cavalier presented him
self possessed of all the qualities which would
gain her love, she could not leave her fathers
side, for as necessary as dew is to the flower as
light in darkness is to man, was she to him.
She has ever acted as his adviser and confidant,
she alone can soften his heart when tits frozen
IN its stern resolves. He could not live with
out her. She receives his company, writes his
private and important documents, keeps watch
and ward over his interests and safety, and has
become even as 1t were second self unto him.
But to our story:
A short distance UP the river above Buenos
Ayres, general Rosas has beautiful country
seat, where often in the warm summer time, he
and his daughter retire to enjoy the fragrant
perfume which arrives with the evening breeze
from the groves of peach, lemon, and orange,
which cover it. A few years ago during a
heavy gale, a ship was driven high and dry by
the winds and swollen waters, into the very
midst of this favorite plantation of the presi-
dents, and when the gale abated she was left
in position from which it was found impossi
bic to remove her.
To please his daughter, gen. Rosas bought
this vessel and reftted her beautifully, to serve
the lady Manuelta as a summer house, and a
unique and beautiful one did it make embedded
not in the azure waves of the ocean, but in a
perfect sea of flowers and fruits. In the ele
giant cabin of this vessel occurred the first scene
of this brief but true story.
It was on lovely afternoon in summer
The lady Manuelita sat by the stern window of
the vessel, enjoying the sweet-breathing ze-
phyrs as they came to her from their homes
amid the fragrant flowers. She was alone, and
as she sat and gazed out upon the waving trees
and bright-winged birds which flew from
branch to branch she sighed, and as if she felt
she had not been formed for loneliness.
At the same moment, the door towards which
her back was turned was cautiously opened
She heard it not Then, between the rich vel
vet hangings which hung in crimson folds be-
fore it, quietly slept noble looking cavalier;
and as he slowly advanced towards her, there
could be read in his face the written poetry of
love, ay, even to a passionate idolatry of her
who was before him. He was young, not more
than twenty-five, his features regular as APP
polio CO 4 have desired, his eye dark and
bright as gazeles, his lofty brow and neck,
Is white as alabaster, was wreathed by dark
and curling masses of jet and glossy hair; a
glossy moustache and beard as soft and curling
Is the hair which crept down upon his broad
shoulders, contrasted with the rich rosy hue of
health worn upon his expressive and pleasing
ace. His tall, manly form was dressed in a
'ich uniform, which betokened that he had
commission in her fathers cavalry.
Slowly and cautiously the young officer ap-
preached the lady, still unseen and unheard by
Ter.
Again she sighed. He knelt by her side,
md gazed upon the snowwhite hand, which
With its taper fingers covered with jewels, hung
lown against the arm of the ottoman upon
which she reclined. Again she sighed The
cavalier bent down his noble head, and the
ady started to her feet as she felt warn kiss
upon her hand.
Not terror stricken did she scream Or turn to
ly, as other maidens would have done, but
With flashing eye, ,reddened cheek and frowning
'row, as she drew up her stately form in queen
y dignity, she proudly exclaimed:
'Who dare intrude-'but ere she finished
he exclamation, she saw the sad and respect
I'll gaze of the youth who still knelt at her feet
nd her anger seemed to vanish and her tone
oftened and she continued:
"Ah! is it you, don Edvardo! | might have
nown none other would have dared the liberty
which you have taken.''
"Pardon, lady, could not have gazed upon
he hand which | SO long have coveted, and re-
rain from tellingit how much loved its mis-
ress.''
"Rise, Edvardo!" said the lady, sadly; Il
fish you would never speak of love to me
gain, at least while-whle-'
The lady blushed confusedly, and paused.
he youth observing it, eagerly and passion
tely exclaimed
"While!-Oh what mean you by that word?
ven it gives light to the hope which alone
eeps my heart alive. Oh, lady, for the love
f holy heaven, tell me- have cause to hope?
I'M l more to you than the many others who
neel in homage to your charms?'
"Were you not, do you think would per-
lit him to live who has dared the familiarity
or which you but now crave humbly my par
on?" .~...
*Oh, lady, then am blessed indeed! Oh!
hen may I call you mine?''