The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1875-06-24
HOW AN AUTHOR WON HIS BRIDE.

HOW AN AUTHOR WON HIS BRIDE
In the study of Don Eusebio Mendez
one of NIadrid's most noted savants
there sat, early in February, 1647, two
youthful figures at heavy oaken table
and busted themselves, ostensibly, with
the gods of the ancient Greeks
On the table lay chaos of heavily.
bound folios, neatly-written manuscripts,
delicately-cut copper-plates, pens, grav.
ers, and pencils; but, strongly as the
scene encouraged serious study, Manuel's
and Alma thoughts were far from being
occupied with the mysteries of Hellenic
mythology.
The youth held the little white hand
of the girl, who was scarcely sixteen,
tenderly in his, and Alma leaned her
head so trustingly ON the shoulder of
her companion that one need to have but
slight knowledge of human nature to
divine what was uppermost in the minds
of the youthful pair. And now Manuel
bends forward and imprints kiss on the
rosy lips of the dark-eyed Castilian that
must dispel the last doubt, if any re-
mains.
"By heaven - cried Manuel, 81 wish
we were alone on some solitary island,
where, observed and disturbed by no
one, we could do as we would the live.
long day. Do you know, love, it costs
me terrible effort to always treat you
as a sonora when your father is pres
ent 2"
"You must be patient-we shall not
always be under this restraint" replied
Alma.
1 am now twenty years old, but Don
Eusebio Mendez seems to think that his
ward is still q child. The mere fact
OF his leaving us alone the whole after
noon, day after day, proves that he
looks upon lis as being, at most, but
children.
"And are you displeased because he
leaves us alone 3"
Yes and no. / thank Heaven that
I have daily opportunity to talk to you
undisturbed; but on the other hand, it
annoys me to know that my uncle thinks
me so blind that I cannot see that his
daughter is the most lovable girl in all
Madrid"
Alma blushed, and passed her hand
over his temple and cheek, as though
she would temper his Indignation.
81 believe" Manuel continued, "he
would laugh in my face if 1 were to
ask his consent to our marriage. He
would, have no doubt, think had lost
my wits.
"You must not be so severe on papa
for forgetting, in the midst of his daily
affairs, that the years have wings. Let
lis wait patiently; time finds a solution
for all things.
Chow very philosophically your little
can talk wait and wait, and
in the meantime the sleek Senior Perez
will get such foothold here that can
not oust him."
Manuel ~ cried Alma, reproach-
fully.
"Oh, I've read enough of woman's
constancy! One thing is certain-the
fellow is in high favor with your father.
Senor Mendez swehrs by The Enchant-
ed Nightingale and he is continually
quoting passages from 'The Fallen
Perez has good social
position, handsome fortune, and knows
how to flatter. What more is necessary
to win over any father who has a mar
riageble daughter?'
But, if Senor Perez will marry
me, he must begin by obtaining my
"Bah You will resist for while,
but finally, fatigued by your fathers
continual remonstrances, you will yield,
like the good, dutiful daughter that you !
are. l shall wait and see if my little |
which in a few days will be
played at the Royal Theater, is success
ful: If it is, then I shall go to your
father and say: Uncle, L have now
position in the world. My "Gormaz
las received the Endorsement of the
lite of the theater-going public of the
,apital, which opens to me an honorable
'areer. Uncle, 1 love your daughter,
md am loved ly her in return. Con-
ent to her becoming my wife, and
make us happy"
"And if he refuses p
-" he will not, he cannot refuse. He
night turn deaf ear to an obscure, un-
,nown suitor, but he must receive the
aurel- el-crowned poet with open arms, or
'e untrue to his whole past life. What
would Madrid say if he should refuse to
ccept the author of 'Gormaz as his
on-in-law 2"
"But suppose your comedy should
lil 2"
SIT will not fail. I am neither vain
or conceited; but, when I finished the
iece, l felt that had achieved the first
tep to fame.
And the eyes of the youth shone with
noble enthusiasm as he spoke of the
of his dramatic talent.
At that moment well-known steps were
card in the hall.
"There is father!" whispered Alma,
nd the lovers turned hastily to their
ooks and papers.
The door opened, and a stout, elder
:, apparently good-natured gentleman
ntered the room. His big, brightly
olished shoe buckles glistened as cheer
lily as did his little, mobile eyes. He
arried three cornered dress-hat under
is arm, and at his side hung the small,
egant dress-sword worn in those days
y the Castilians.
"Ah, this is what I like to see |" he
led. "Always at your books, always
lding to your little stock OF knowleege!
7hat have you herei Treatise on Ny
lology,' by Guillermo de Mora. Ex-
silent ,FJupiter and Hera-they seem
} interest you especially-the book has
cen open at that chapter for fully q