Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1867-02-14
CHAPTER THIRD.

| CHAPTER THIRD.
Time rolled on very pleasantly.
The scenes were all new, and |
was at precisely the age when our
enjoyment is keenest. Jerry was
pursuing his own schemes OF plea
sure in his wild way, and | wps
left almost alone to find what en-
joyment l might. Several times
/ had met Carlota in the garden ;
but the knowledge that Benito
watched us closely made our inter
views short and stolen. She
had told me all her history; how
she had been affianced by her
parents to her cousin when both
were children; how time had re-
vealed to her the dark and un-
loveable traits of his character;
how with many tears she had
made up her mind to the sacrifice;
how love for the memory OF her
dead parents had induced her to
do so. But she said she had now
determined that no power should
force heryto do it. She did not
and could not love him. l press
ed her timidly to say whether she
loved another, but either she was
unwilling to speak or we were
always interrupted, and ! forced to
make precipitate retreat.
Things were in this state on the
evening before Christmas. | still
fingered on without more plainly
declaring what | telt, (you see by
this time that ! was deeply in love-
and she was unwilling to forestall
my declaration. On that night |
went to the Church of the lncarna-
! cion to hear mass at midnight.
Like all churches in that country
lit was large and entirely void of
seats. Dimly lighted by the altar
candles, (the only lights in the
house, J the audience kneellng or
sitting promiscuously on the pave.
llnent, many opportunities and
temptations were presented to at
tend to other things besides the
services. The fair Senoras with
their mantillas drawn over their
heads and across their mouths,
alternately sat and knelt, repeat,
ing the responses and replying
with their eyes to the cavaliers,
whose devotions were at least not
directed to the altar. .,--.,
With light Spanish mantle
thrown over my shoulders, ! stood
among the kneeling throng, | con.
lfess, not over-devout. A crowd
of women came rustling in, As
they passed me / felt my mantle
', slightly pulled, and on turning
saw the bright eyes of Carlota
bent on me for a moment and then
withdrawn. i--5
"Acqaa, Madre," she whispered
to her aunt, whom she called
mother, and they both knelt very
near me, stepped lightly around
: them and seated myself on a kino
: of dais which ran along the side
2 of the church, very rear to Car
,Ilota. had not been there more
J than five minutes, when she look
( ed up with one of those long, fur
, tive looks, which are SO charming
|, from dark liquid eye. 1t wa
dusky where we were, but there
was sufficient light for me to see
, small note, pinned to the corner
of her mantilla, and to that sh'
directed me by a glance. Chang
ing her posture, she threw th'
mantilla close to me; covering j
with my cloak, / unpinned the note
and after a few moments left tin
church. My lodgings were onl,
a few steps off; so hurrying owe
4 / opened the note. 1t ran thus
: b my mother, father and Benit'
will be in the procession to-mor
row at three P. NJ. | shall have
!, headache, so that / cannot go; bn
: will be at home. Santiago vii
: bring you the key,-Carlota.
0 / went back, caught her ey
: resting inquiringly on me, AM
slightly noddipg as token that