Middletown transcript., 1874-10-31

ttu To Oeat0 tue tair oSiuse Wuo oiese
them by entering it.
Again the gentleman was widowef
gain be suffered much sorrow but
~as not eternal. He began in time I
seek another bride, but in vain. N
me would risk the fate Of those ctbe
lyoung and lovely women. No Oh
would have this Bluebeard. the myster.
II whose castle was so terrible; and fo
years the widower went woeing with
tut winning. until one. morning. meet
ing the Donna Mora on her way t
.hurch. her black eyes veiled benea'l
her black mantilla. be made = Igranf
Impression, and was permitted ere long
10 offer bis hand and heart with tru'
Spanish gallantry.
Donna Mora, who was widow, list
ened not i'll. pleased.
Il do not detest you. Senor," sht
said. land I frankly tell you SO /; but
you have had strange bridsls hereto
fore. l do not feel tired of life, and
desire to enjoy myself little longer
Let me know Why your first wives died.
You must know"
"On, my soul DO not" said the
gentleman
II believe you," said the lady
Listen to me, then. | am ready to
marry you, but before do | must b.
allowed 10 inspect your house from roof
to cellar. You must vscate il and give
me the keys. and l must 60 there alone
with my sister. I will discover the
s.nyrtery If there is one"
..Douns Mora" said the gentleman.
do as you will. | vacate the dwelling
At once. There are the keys. The
.ong one Of steel opens that fatal cham
Ger, which beg you not to enter-thr
oridal chamber Of my dear brides.
Adieu! Thanks for your promise.
which I shall hasteu to claim when you
summon me. !"
He kissed her hand aud rode away
She ut once made ready to seek th.
lwelliug Of which she had heard 80
much. The numbering carriage bel.
.ler. her sister, two brothers. maid.
lnau servant and pet poodle very well
Aud at last they came in sight Of th.
Did Moori.h building, and paused to
inspect it.
Il begin to tremble,' said Donna
Anna. it7s1sY5f.a %a n
II have no fears, said Donna Mora
Then she ordered the coschmau I"
iirivs closer, descended and unlocked
the teswith herlown hands All saa
still only the echoes welcomed them
Their feet awoke more upon th.
stairs; they made Donna Anna ner-
vuus. Donna Mora was as brave as
man.
They inspected every room; they
peeped into every closet. they opened
the bridal chamber. and saw the dust
that had gathered upon its ornaments.
aud from the neighbors they drew the
whole story. All that was known.
And for the FIRST time Donna Mora
heard Of the old gypsy and her flowers.
Then she waited, pacing the floors Of
the empty room, while Donna Anna
watched from the window, and the
bro,hers smoked their cigarettes in the
courtyard. What was she waiting for ?
She told no one. At last:
.'Sister. is any one coming? /
thought l heard a STEP" said she.
1T is an old gypsy with some flow
ers," said Donna Anna.
And Donna Mers said :ss- ssfT
IBID her come in
Then passing between the smoking
brothers, who scarcely looked up. and
oy the little dog. who growled, entered
an old woman. shriveled and yellow,
who courtesied. and said !:
MAY the good stars shine for the
pretty senoritas and the brave senors.
have heard that the lady who is to BE-
mistress here has come, and / am Of /
and may not live to see her bride, and
would fain welcome her."
Then Donna Mora answered
II am the lady"
.Then may | offer few wild Aow-
ers." said the gypsy, land my good
wishes ? for the ssncr has. besn my
benefactor. A poor gift. but do not
scorn it."
She held the flowers toward Donna
Mora. who took them and put them
down upon the table.
donna Anna." said she. "bring my
dog here. Brothers. seize the gypsy"
In . moment more the struggling |
woman was held in strong grasp, and
Donna Mora. holding her dog in her
lap. pressed the flowers to his nostrils.
IF be lives. free her; if he dies.
have her arrested. she said quietly.
Donna Anna hid her face. The
brothers sternly regarded FIRST the
woman. then the dog; the latter had
begun to tremhle. To ! moment more
he ntfered n whine 1on0 and torr;hl. "a