The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1875-06-24

ever so foolish as to thirst after dranati
laurelsl Instead of triumph, behold
me with FOOLS cap and a crown q
thorns! And, to add to my chagrin,
told my friends that one of the piece
was mine, and asked them to witness
the representation of both in order t,
see if they could decide which was th,
uncle's and which the nephew's. The,
will be here directly. Oh, how 1 dreat
to see them To morrow, the children
ip the streets will point their fingers nj
me Prullo is such newscarrier Apt
Don Anastasio what will he think O
me He will despise me Ny reputa
tion-the reputation it has taken me {
lifetime to acquire-is DESTROYED in al
houri In future 1 shall be looked upor
as being nothing more or less than {
conceited old foolH
And he sank utterly crushed into the
nearest armchair.
Manuel had listened to this outburst
in silent amazement. But now he an
preached the moaning sdvant, and. Law.
ing his hand on his shoulder. said
"Calm yourself, uncle. Your reputa.
ton shall not suffer from to-night's mis-
hap. The greatest geniuses, under I'M
| WlTl
failures"
"But not SO disgracefully, so igno-
miniously," replied Don Euesbio, with
an inconsolable shake of the head.
Listen, uncle, 1 will make Won q
proposition. No one knows as yet that
you are the author of 'The Midnight
Elopement, of Gormaz.' What saw
you to our changing roles ? An unfor.
tunate debut cannot hurt me much. and
you will escape the ridicule of those who
are envious of you, and will be sure, if
you remain the author of the unfortu.
nate comedy, to handle you roughly"
Don Eusebio looked up like one who,
on the scoffold, hears his pardon an
nounced.
Manuel, my boy, is it possible
! You will p But no, no, L cannot ac-
cept such a sacrifice Herein I recognize
the son of my dear, never-to-be- forgot
ten sister,"
His emotion overcame him, and two
big tears rolled slowly down his cheeks.
You are right, Manuel" said he,
after pause "they readily excuse in
the nephew what would disgrace the
uncle forever. L accept your generous
offer, and you can reckon on my eternal
gratitude
"I do this the more readily, uncle,
because there is something would ask
in return, stammered the youth, blush
ing deeply.
"Speak, nephew. You can ask me
nothing that will deny you.
"Uncle, 1 love Alma. Consent to
her becoming my wife,"
Senor Mendez looked at the youth
Hpazed; this was evidently request he
wis not Prepared for.
" Are you mad, boyg" he cried after a
pause. "Alma is betrothed to Don An
astasio."
"Not yet" replied Manuel, in a firm
tone. "You gave her three days to
consider. Alma loves me, and YOU NAV
be sure she will never willingly give her
hand to another"
Don Eusebio shook his head incredu-
lousy.
Danish that idea from your head ~
said he, in n peevish tone. 81 have
given my word. Alma marries Don An
astasio, and no other -
Nothing can change you!'
"No, nothing. 1t pains me to refuse
y l.
every well, replied Manuel, proud
iy, "then shall remain the author of
'Gormaz.' Love would have consoled
me for the lost of fame. AS you destroy
my happiness, leave me at least my
laurels."
Manuel! !" cried Don Eusebio, in
terror, as he wiped the perspiration
from his forehead. "You will not
abandon me in my extremity, my dear
Manuel? If it should be known that l
am the author of 'The Midnight Elope-
ment ''--he made terrible gesture.
"You know my conditions, uncle. If
Alma remains the bride of Senor Perez,
then you must shoulder the .fasco."
"The good old caballero, for a few
moments, was prey to conflicting emo
tions. 1t was not long doubtful, how
ever, which would come out victorious.
The clock struck ten. His friends
might arrive at any moment.
"Call Alma !" said he, after striding
up and down the room for few mo-
ments.
Manuel hastened to do his uncle's bid
ding.
is it true that you love this good
for-nothing here2" Don Eusebio asked
his daughter as she entered the room.
Alma looked down blushingly and
nodded an affirmative.
Hump you do, eh2 Then take
her, he thundered, turning to Manuel,
"marry her, only leave me alone ! NY
head whirls as though it would fyiuto a
thousand pieces. Begone, begone
l hear steps. You have my blessing |"
Manuel pressed his lady-love to his
heart, and they both left the room, with
grateful glance at Don Eusebio.
The following year Manuel led his
pretty cousin to the altar. and no one at
the wedding wore a more joyous mien
than the worthy father of the bride.
And often. in after years, when he
dandled his charming grandchildren on
his knee and looked on the face of his
blooming and happy daughter, whose
beauty seemed to increase from year to
year-often then he silently glorifed
the .faScO that opened to him and his
the door of domestic felicity.
As for Manuel Alonzo de Castres, he
became one of the most distinguished
dramatists of Spain, and if among his
works there is one Of doubtful merit,
entitled "The Midnight Elopement,"
the reader of this narrative knows how
it chances to be there.
There is nothing which will inspire
not well dressed up woman with such
terror as the appearance OF dressed up