Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-04-01


the equal Of Marcellina. As may be sup
posed, his suit met with no encourage
ment from the Don and Donna Feliz
aud they, finding the attachment be
tween the young people was becoming
stronger than accorded with their plans
for their daughter, resolved TO remove "a
Santa Barbara-A mission some hun
dred miles north-where resided many
wealthy families, among whom they
doubted not an alliance would be formed
suitable in fortune and position.
The announcement OF their contem-
plated removal struck dismay 10 the
hearts of Marcelina and Carlos; but the
latter, receiving courage from despera-
tion, presented his suit to the parents.
AS was anticipated, il was scorniully re-
jected, and further intercourse sternly
forbidden. The lovers were, however,
too ardent to be separated thus, and,
through the medium of an old Indian
nurse, who was devotedly attached to the
girl, they obtained one interview before
parting.
In the early twilight, Marcellina stole
out to an oliveorchard, surrounded by
an adobe wall, which lay back Of the
paternal mansion. Here she stood,
waiting with throbbing heart the arrival
cf her lover, while her nurse kept watch
on the other side of the wall, ready to
give the alarm, by signal agreed upon,
should any one approach from the house.
Already the shadows lay dark beneath
the thick, low branches of the olive
trees, and at every rustic and sound the
fair transgressor started and trembled.
Suddenly tall figure sprang over the
wall, and crept stealthily along in its
shadow, till he came close to where the
waiting maiden stood. "Carlos," she
cried, holding out her trembling hands.
" Is il you, Marcellina2 All, poor little
one, how she tremblesl They are very
cruel, darling, but we will not be separ-
ated. They shall not take you from me,
my precious one.
And then he spoke long, low and rap
idly in the beautiful Spanish language
so exquisitely fitted for expressions Of
tenderness and endearment-telling her
that, as her parents objected to their
union on the ground of poverty, he had
determined to win wealth; that an old
Indian, bound to him by ties of graft
tude, possessed knowledge of rich
mine far away among the mountains,
and to which he had promised to guide
him and his company; and, by courage
and skill, he would soon return to claim
her hand from her ambitious, avaricious
parents.
Remain true to me, Lima, and resist
their scheming. Wait for me but two
years, my darling, and if, at the end of
that time, you do not hear of me, know
that / have persisted in the attempt to
win you.
he then gave her cutting from a
grapevine, and telling her to carry it to
her new home and plant it, keeping it
as a reminder Of him, and that while it
lived and flourished, she might know he
loved her and was true to her. The cut
ting was in the form of riding-whip,
and as such she was to carry it, for her
journey was to be performed on horse
back.
Vowing eternal fidelity, the lovers
parted, and, the next morning, Don and
Dons Feliz, with their daughter and at
tendants, started on their journey; while
Carlos & Co., with their Indian guide,
wended their way, full of hope and con-
fdence, over the mountain-trail.
Marcellina, as may be supposed, made
little use of her grapevine switch to
urge her mustang along the weary way
between Los Angeles and Santa Barba-
ra. Arriving at their destination-four
miles from the Mission of Santa Bar
bara-her first act was to plant the
cutting upon the hillside, with many |
tears and prayers to the Virgin for the
success and safety of her lover.
The vine grew and hourished with
wonderful luxurianee, and gladdened
the heart Of the waiting maiden, whe
could hardly have borne the burden Of
anxiety and suspense without its silent
for the Don and DonA
had found, as they thought, suitable
for their daughter, in Span
ard of reputed great wealth, who prom
sed them liberal compensation for her
land. He was short, of good eircum-
Ierence, and grizzled with years, but to
these defects in lover,
lis fingers and shirt-front shone With |
,ems. Marcellinas violent opposition,
loEsVeE, while It did not move them TO
'eponnce their purpose, induced them
O postpone the marriage, in the hope
hat she would forget her former love,
md become more FeeQnciled 10 their
gill,
In the interval thus granted, the time
or the return of Carlos would expire;
nd Marcellina prayed daily for the ar
ival Of her betrothed, with the fortune
bat was to find favor in the eyes of her
larents. The two years were rapidly
rawing to a close, and yet no sign or
oxen had come, save what she found in
he vigorous growth Of her cherished
inc. At length her parepts, pressed
nth poverty aud weary of the prolonged
indulgence to what they considered an
die fancy, fixed the day for the wedding
nth the suitor Of their choice, whose
recommendation was his wealth.
The eve Of MarcellinR's wedding day
Tas the second anniversary Of the part
ng in the olive grove, when Carlos told
Ier that IL he did not return or send her
rord within two years, she miaht know
e Vas dead. She had crept away from
be scene Of busy preparation within
er home, and, hiding herself beneath
be shadow Of her beloved vine. which
ras now large enough to shelter her
rom casual observation IN the uncer~
ain cleaning, she sobbed and wept,
alling upon the Virgin, in hopeless
nguish, TO take her away TO the spirit I
-orld, where she believed Carlos 70 be.
Approaching footsteps arrested Asr
ttention. She started guilty aud at I
smpted to hide her tears, for she dared
ct let her parents know she still
lourned her absent lover.
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