The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1878-08-10

ann : he pIane-t rees Df The Crbtins Gar
den; 81 day they sailed down the Qua
calduivir 10 San Juan to pass the. heat Of
she day among the orange bowers; and
whUso found Fermina kneeling before the
hieh altar Of the cathedral was sure to de-
scry next moment, in the shadow of some
nei9hboring chapel, Manuers graceful mo-
tionless figure. On the street people gazed
at them with that strange blending OF
complacency and bitter jealousy which
stirs even in youthful bosoms at the sight
of happy lovers, prosperous and proud in
their prosperity. But they, on their part,
passed on through the hustle, Fermina
calmly looking over the heads of those
around, Menendez vainly trying to find
any one to look him steadily in the eye,
bearing their bliss in triumph, as it were,
fiinging their passion, like challenge, IN
their townsmen's faces, and leaving along
their way broad swath of wounded pride
and small sentimentalitles blighted.
Still Fermina, little by little, bad won
over the sympathy of most of the women
of her own class. Many, while they bowed
before her invincible pride, had come to
think her, perhaps, an ornament to the sub
urb, and take her for model. She had
her imitators. and many froward and f.
Gle gitana set to copying her manner.
Just at this time sudden change came
over Menendez. No one but those who
were responsible for it knew why, yet no
one acquainted with his character felt any
surprise. Certain natures contain within
themselves germ of suspicion, always
vigorous, always ready ut the slightest
stimulus, the mercst hint, to bloom into
full energy, and poison the strongest and
purcst affection. Who in his own life has
not been at one time or other agent or vic
tim of some such sudden ruin? Some
transient shadow of doubt, smiled aside
at the moment, finds later food in any in
significant chance matters careless
phrase in letter, an acquaintances hasty
woodland gains hold which lifts it from
the dark recesses Of our souls to set its ug
illness before our eyes like some hateful
vermin, graphing and grasping with its
hundred ravenOus arms in venomOus rage
for prey. And rs Mencndez stood late
one night, at home, before his table, hold
ing just-opened letter in his hand, this
fate fell upon him. For moment he
thought he was going mad. With spring
he rushed to the window, and stood there
long, one hand upon his forehead and the
other pressed on his heart, staring Oul into
the square, mOtiOnless as statue, and al
most us insensible. Then, with q siran-
gled cry of rage and anguish, he rushed
from the house. He shot across the square
like an arrow, turned the corner by the
Carload, hurried past the Golden Tower,
leaped into boat, crossed to the right
bank of the river, and dashing into FermI-
mas house, knocked at the door.
Sha yuao ont An unueI,al chance had
kept her away from home, and, as the Ill
fortune of the two lovers would have it,
her absence just at that hour happened to
coincide with the slanderOus indications of
the letter, and formed ut one an accusation.
o confirmation, a curse! Menendez stood
before the door as If turned to stone. Al
ready the lovers pain had given place in
his heart to the blind, savage rage of over
weening and wounded pride. A devilish
thought flashed through his mind, and,
hurrying down the stairs, he started at a
run for his own house; but at the bridge
and almost effaced the first. Suppose it
moment his soul was radiant again with
hope. But fate still pursued him. On
getting back to his room he :Ound no letter
at home;" and even3this notification came
in to fatally confirm this delusiOn. Sheer
mad and dizzy with fury, he ragged, laugh
ed, and cursed at once; then, seizlng a pen,
he wrote in bold characters Ona strip Of pa
per Fermina's name, and appended NOR
tai insult. Carrying this with him, he
rushed from the house, hurried back over
the way he had just come, till he reached
Fermina's lodging, fastened the Infamous
libel with cOnvulsive hands upon her door,
and hurried down stairs, grinding his
teeth with passion. Stopping at the bot
tom he heard the door open, and a light
shone out on the staircase, followed by a
scream of despair and heavy fall. A
moment after came the opening of other
down stairs. Then he heard wOmans
Outbursts of other voices in q cry of indig-
nation: ssMentirar' "a lie)
His state of mind, an hour after, was
dream. That terrible scream had walked
him. He had tried, but in vain, to shape
together in his mind proofs, indications,
arguments, recollections, shadows-all had
vanished and faded out as swiftly rs they
had taken form. As tr:tle had sufiiced
to inflame his credulity, a single cry had
dissolved the delusiOn. He had plunged
headlong from one conviction to another:
no proofs were needed; all was explained,
every thing understood.
Within him, as without, reigned SOL
emn silence, in which his mental eye
dwelt on one pale, motionless, threatening
figure Fermina's-and the vast gulf be-
tween. He knew her, knew she would
never pardon; he had killed his love.
With his deadly abasement and confusion
were blended his re-awakening affection,
spurred by remOrse and despair, aud q
mad longing for death, while yet the utter
nervous prostration which had seized upon
him forbade ANYTHING like resOlute action.
After q night passed stretched out on the
| floor by the window, he found himself at
dawn-he knew not how-crOssing the
iron bridge. Suddenly he stopped, rooted
to the spot, as he saw Fermina coming to-
ward him. One instantaneous glance told
him that she had seen him, and in her face
and manner he read a determination be-
fore which every trace Of hope died within
him. She was In gala dress, and walking
with free, almost hurried step, her head
proudly up, her glance yelled but straight
| forward, her features still and cold as
marble. As she passed, he opened his
mouth to speak, but the words died on his
lips, and she went by without looking at
him, firm and majestic, with sinking heart
yet scornful face, while q faint OdOr Of
rose perfume was waited from her dress
"a abe passed on without for a moment