The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-06-28

pNeN pN lVulntl tS TO tulfHt utter ufAmlt1U
latirelsl Instead of triumph, behold
me with FOOLS cap aud crown OF
thornsl And, to add to my chagrin, l
told my friends that one Of the pieces
was mine, and asked them to witness
the representation OF both in order TO
SEQ II they could decide which was the
uncle's and which the nephew's. They
will bo here directly. Oh, how / dread
to see thml 10 morrow, the children
in the streets will point their fingers at
NE PrullO Is such newscarierl And
Don Anastasio what will he think Of
mel He will despise me My reputa.
tion-the reputation 1t has taken me q
lifetime to acquire-is destroyed in an
hourl In future I shall be looked upon
as being nothing more or less than q
cOnceited old fool!"
And he sank utterly crushed into the
nearest armchair.
Manuel had listened to this outburst
in silent amazement. But now he up.
preached the moaning sapant, and, lay
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 un-
favorable circumstances, have met with
failures"
"But not 80 disgracefully, so igno-
miniously," replied Don Euosbio, with
an inconsolable shake OF the head.
"Listen, uncle, will make you q
proposition. No one knows as yet that
you are the author OF 'The Midnight
Elopement, I OF Gormaz.' What say
you TO our changing roles An unior-
tunate debut cannot hurt me much, and
you will escape the ridiCule Of thosewho
are enyious Of you, and will be sure, il
you remain the author Of the unfortu-
nate comedy, to handle you roughly"
Don Eusebio looked up like one who.
on the scoiold, hears his pardon an
nounced.
Manuel, my boy, is 1t possible |
You will - But no, no, cannot nc
cept such sacrifice Herein I recognize
the son Of my dear, neyor-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 q pause "they readily excuse in
the nephew what would disgrace the
uncle forever. I accept your generous
offer, and you can reckon on my eternal
gratitude.o
g / do this the more readily, uncle,
because there Is something Iwould ask
in return, +" stammered the youth, blush.
ing deeply.
"speak, nephew. You can ask mo
nothing that l will deny you.
"Uncle, l love Alma. Consent to
her becoming my wife,"
Senior Mendez looked at the youth
amazed; this was evidently request he
was not prepared for.
care you mad, boyl" lie cried after q
pause. "Alma is betrothed to Don An.
astasio."
"Not yet" replied Manuel, in firm
tone. "You gave her three days to
consider. Alma loves me, and you mny
be sure she will never willingly give her
hand to another"
Don Eusebio shook his head incrOdu.
lously.
"Banish that idea from your head |"
said he, in peeyish tone. at have
given my word. Alma marries Don An.
astasio, and no other"
"Nothing can change your"
"No, nothing. It pains me to refuse
you, but Ineyer break my word."
Every well, replied Manuel, proud
iy, "then I shall remain tho author OF
fGormaz.' Love would have consoled
me for the lost Of fame. As you destroy
my happiness, leave me at least my
laurels." y
HManucllo cried Don Euscbio, in
terror, as he wiped the perspiration
from his forehead. "You will not
abandon mo in my extremity, my dear
Manuel1 Ifit should be known that /
am the author Of .The Midnight Elope-
ment "-.he made q terrible gesture.
"You know my conditions, uncle. II
Alma remains the bride of Senior Perez,
then you must shoulder the fasco."
"The good old caballero, for n fcw
moments, was n prey TO conflicting emo
tons. 1t was not long doubtful, how
ever, which would come out victorious.
The clock struck ten. His friends
might arrive at any moment. &
I" Gall Alma y said he, after striding
up aud down the room for q few mo-
ments. -.
Manuel hastened to do hiyuncle's bid
ding.
@Is it true TINT you love this good.
for.nothing herei" Don Ensebio asked
his daughter as she entered the room.
Alma looked down blushingly and
nodded an affirmative.
"Humpl you do, ehi Then take
her." he thundered, turning TO Manuel,
"marry her, only leave me alone My
head whirls as though II would ayihto q
thousand pieces. Begone, begonei
1 hear steps. You have my blessing |"
Manuel pressed his lady.love to his
heart, and they both left the room, with
a grateful glance at Don Eusebio.
The following year Manuel led his
pretty cousin to the altar. and no one at
the wedding worea more joyous tnien
than the worthy father Of the bride.
And often. in after years, when he
handled 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 fdsco that opened to him and his
the door Of domestic felicity.
As for Manuel Alonzo do Castres, he
became one Of the most distinguished
of Spain, and il among his
works there 10 one OF doubtful merit,
entitled "The Midnight ElOpement,"