, 1873-05-04
HYe9."
''It seems absurd"
"But, what other thing can you do7" asked
"6nrely, Junita, I will t1y;' and Marie left

s'It seems absurd" -:
"surely, Junita, will ty;'' and Marie left
: .That same morning. two gentlemen were clos
eted with Senior Garcia. One was tall, noble"
looking man, merchant in an Italian house u
men in America. The other was OF uodinm
stature, and beautiful inface US Adonis, though
not young. Both had come on the same
err.nd-to ash the senior for the hand Of his
"Gentlomen," said Garcia, 1T will be frank
with you. Ny daughter is but few months over
16. between this and hor coming OF age abe
is WORTH! to me, .9100. 900. But en- old am
getting weary Of excitement wish to live in
will pay mo $4,000, cash down, in gold, shall
marry Benorita Marie, provided TINT his char
acter andbnsiness etanding shall be une1ception-
nble. am 8 practical man."
:: stI an willing to do So"
Then It only reIhains for my daughter to
choose between you," replied tho mezcenary
Garcia. GentlemeR you may call to-nor-
row.
straightway, he repaired to his daughtcr's
room. Size sat by her window in the early noon,
tho crimson color Of tie curtains giving to her
beauty delicacy and etheraali5y which tonc4ed
even his cold nature as Signor Garcia entered.
Marie" ho said, and lis voice mad taken .
softer tone-
sho started, and left her seat.
Marie. child, I have had two proposals Of
marriage from two OF the richest and best men
in the metropolis"
The eloquent blood few TO her checks !; her
eyes sought the door: .:
tWhateyer you please, senor!" she replied.
"You are willing, then, to accept one Of these
gentlemen for your husband ~
III am ready to obey you in this, as in all
things e!se," slie said;
said the eienor; "you will be we'll settled, aud
shall 20 to Parig~ You shall have your choice Of
these gentlemen. Como in my room to-mor-
row; bring q rose Of any color and, az you
leave, present it to him whom you are willing to
He left the ROOM Marie few to her friend
and conhdante, as well as servant. She looked
like one inspired
Congratulate me- n she cried my slavery
is at an ond. am going to be married"
"Alnsi" For . moment her countenance gre"
sad. 1T do not know but anything il better
than this dreadful, loveless life. shall be rich.
cared form & measure, Independent. shall
good God heard me, and I shall, at least, be
Something besides machine piece Of ner-
chandise. Now, indeed, feel like q bird set
free" ..
IL
fortune. You need never leave me, unless-you
find n husband for yourself"
~ only care for you, senorits," said the girl,
softly.
On the following day Junita saw her mistress
leave tho room with fair. white rose. But q
brief time elapsed before abe returned, breath
less, her beautiful face lighted with q glow such
a8 even JCaita had never seen BEFORE
MY dear Junita!" cried the girl running into
her arms, " I have chosen"
II hope he is young and good and handsome"
the girl responded, with kiss.
% Juuital every thingl Guess now? It
"Malibrnn!" exclaimed Jnnita, her eyes fill
ing with happy, tears. My child, that ls Pc
And Marie became Madame Malbran- The
wedding was Joyous and noble one; the
BRIDES home pEincely: AT once, the beaut1fnt
and gifted singer stood On the pinnacle Of select
49se she Ta9 Tr Tba best ppd the
greatest craved permission to become her friends.
Junita was har humble companion, and no one
Was more joyous than ehe in witnessing the hap
piness Of her child
bran was the gsyest Of the gay, always ready to
please with her entranclng voice, bewitching old
and young with her artless grace, her matchless
beauty. She had her fill OF joy. Seryants by
tho score at9qd ready % tG Ta I her Gz
For six months the beautiful Ma1ibran
held tho brimning cup to her lips, and not
ono drop had been bitter. Then chme a
thunder-bo1t,- -Malibran was ruined man,;
rsaslty rot realiza te' tbs terrible I Situation. ~
Was it possible that they we're poor-beg-
gnrod?
all its barbarous sovorfty. The ruined merchant
was put under bonds, and liable at any moment
to be thrust into Jail
His wife sat like ono stunned, amid the wreck
OF her onco glorious aurroundlngs-a stranger IN
strange city, and poor as the poorest. Her
husband sank under the blow, and eSen 70"
preached hor with extravaganza
II have not done it, said hapless Malibran,
tearz streaming down her checks.
"But, indeed, it was you who ruined me. All !
if had but the $50, 600 I paid for my Wife!"
Mario'a Spanish blood turned to fire. She
sprang to her feet, nearly writhin6 tn her an
"You bought me, thon2 NY father sold his
child for gold 2" she articnated, with difficulty.
:. You paid $50, COO for mo, and that when you
must haYo known what disaster such reck1ess-
ness might bring upon me, whom you professed
to lovof I Oh, unhappy creature that am! al
ways thing Of barter, and now you taunt me!
Oh, why was born for q lot SO nuercena1y!
Junita was, as usual, her conso1er and COM
forter. -,.<
"Pray to the good God" )" she said.
few daya after. closely voilod, Madame Mali
bran, pale and detected, deeply mortified and
quite pennilosa, called upon the managers Of the
Park Theatre and the New DoWery; received the
| most favorable proposals from the 1atter; en-,
tered into an engagement for si1 weeks, and
made over 10000. This sum she aiyidod. with
tho ruined merchant, and, taking her faithful
Junita with her, secured passage to England,
bado her husband farewell, and, within week,
set sail for the great metropolis Of England.
Arrived at Liverpool, sho journoyed thence to
London, sought out the bost hotel in that sPlen e.
whereabouts Of the most eminent musical COM
| poser or the day, and sent him message.
His servant handed him the note while he Was
at dinner.
thouchtiul1y. All! 'fnee sano1ita Marie Gar
cia, of tho - troupe, Mexico. 1remember-
Forthwith be hurried through the meal, and
within an hour he stood in the presence Of
one destined to become tho enchantrcss OF the
world
sho received him like Queen, sua5ed in vel
vet tho color Of fresh violets, her glorious hair
falling unconfned to her waist, her checks
flushed with excitement. Never had she looked
so royalty beautiful for the exigencies OF her sit
uation had baniahed the appearance OF extreme
l