The daily gazette., 1877-01-20


"Francesca! st. Jago! does she dwell
in the Vale of Andalusia?'
"Even as you say"
"Take the rope from his neck-umbind
his hands. Give him back his sword.
Come, Senior Lieutenant, will bear thee
company portion of thy way-you must
| foot it, for we have no horses" -t
Surprised and bewildered by his sud-
den liberation, Eugene silently followed
the guerrilla.
The cloud of war had passed over the
country, and the sun of peace had broken
forth once more to bless the land with
joy and plenty. $50 ,@
| 1t was toward the sunset hour that a
young couple were seated ON the vine
covered porto that surrounded the stone
mansion of the Senior Nunez. The man
had one hand of the maiden in his, while
his left arm encircled her waist. :. ~ ?
She sat passively by his side, gazing
| with downcast eyes upon the ground.
Francesca" he was saying, "why will
you not decide my fate? Both your fa-
| ther and mother have Joined their voices
with mine in urging you to become my
wife. You know how well love you
you know it would be the study of my
life to make you happy. Tell me, then,
| what is it that keeps you silent? Why
Will you not consent to become mine ?"
"Ruy," she said, lifting her eyes slow
| ly from the earth, 81 am conscious how
much you love me, and have not been
lnsensi6le to that love, for feel that 1
return it,"
"You love mel" he exclaimed, raptur-
| ously.
81 confess it," she replied, turning
away her eyes; "and yet 1 cannot wed
youo
"what mean these strange words
why not?" u.
Because am the affianced bride of an
other"
"The bride of another Explain, Fran
cesca?"
"Listen, Ruy. You know that was
saved, on the day the Convent Santa
Maria was burned, by young French
officer. You know he restored me to my
home. was grateful--very grateful to
him, and mistook this gratitude for
love. He became enamored of me, and
when the time came for us to part he told
his passion, and implored me to become
his bride when peace should permit him
to return to nae. thought reciprocal
ted his love, and l solemnly swore to re-
main true to him until he should come
and claim me for his wife. love him no
longer-time has effacsd his image from
my heart and stamped yours in its
place yet still my VOW must be kept"
"Say no more, francesca love you
none the less for this display of constan-
cy. 1t proves TO me what a treasure you
will be, should l chance to obtain you af-
ter all, Now, listen to me. will give
you an evidence of the sincerity of my
love. Tomorrow | will depart for
France, and if Eugene Lejoyeux be still
in the land of the living 1 will bring him
to you. Adios."
Early the next morning, Francesca
was on the portico, waiting to bid Ruy
adieu before he commenced his Jour
ney.
The morning was cloudy and obscure,
and it was difficult to distinguish objects
a few PAGES distant.
A horeseman advanced rapidly through
the haze, reined in his steed, and sprung
upon the portico.
ing to his side; but ON discovering who it
was, she tainted.
Francesca was supported in the arms
of Eugene LejoyeHx!
Francesca slowly recovered, but as con-
seriousness returned she burst into tears,
and, laying her face upon his breast, she
exclaimed
II am true TO my VOW Il am TRUE to my
vow"
Eugene pressed her gently to his heart
questioned her kindly, and drew the
whole secret of her love from the weep
ing giFl; . H..
cesca ."
a"My cousin, Ruy Diaz. Yonder he
comes"
"Advance, my friend" cried Eugene.
Ruy did so, and the rivals confronted
each other. Eugene started back with an
exclamation of surprise.
In Ruy Diaz he recognized the guerilla
chief who had saved his life.
They grasped each others had fervent-
ly.
"Morbleuw said Eugene; ''to think you
are my rival, ,and you let me go when you |
might have twisted my neck and no one
would have been the wiser"
81 did not know of my cousins vow
then or you might have Jared worse,"
said Ruy, laughing.
Eugene did not join in the laugh; he |
was very Thoughtful.
"My friends" he said, atlength, ct
seems / am one too many here. Frans- |
cesca, you have kept your vow faithfully; |
now release you from it-you are as free
as air."
He placed her hand in Ruys and bent
over them as if to bless the union.
Francesca felt hot tear drop upon her
hand, and yet Eugene's face was wreath |
ed with smiles when he raised his head. |
"Be happy, both" he said, vainly end
eavoring to conceal his emotion, "and in |
midst of your happiness, cherish an oc-
casional thought to the memory of the |
poor soldier, Eugene Lejoyeux."
He sprang into his saddle, clapped |
spurs to his horse, and dashed away like |
the wind. They never saw him more.
CONGRESS.