Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-01-12

DhEr
The Architects Wife.
Many wears had passed away since the
| tyrant of Montel had destroyed the bridge
of San Martin. Digntaries both of church
| and state had We'd with each other in their
cndeavor to replace it. But the skill and
care of the most celebrated architects,
Christian and Moorish alike, had been al
together wanting in success on account OF
the rapidity of the stream, which carried
away in its impe'uou course the frame
work of wood and the pillars of stone be-
| fore the arches of the bridge could be
! completed.
Don Pedro Tenoro, Archbishop of Tole-
do then made application throughout all
the cities and towns of Spain for an archi-
tect cap ,ble of rebuilding the bridge of
San Martin, but for long time without
response. One day, however, IA man and
woman, complete strangers to the place,
entered Toledo by the Cambron Gate, and
after carefully inspecting the ruins Of the
bridge, fixed, for their residence, upon an
empty house not far from them A few
hours afterwards the man might have
been seen vending his way toward the
palace Of the archbishop
| The Joy of the good prelate was indeed
great when one of his attendants informed
nim that an architect from another king.
dom requested the honor of an interview.
fhe archbishop FASTENED to give the de-
sired audience, and the stranger WAS ush-
cred into his presence. The archit ct was
i'll I,,t bn .oI,t . nd f,,r hnI
left their traces on his countenance and
rendered him in appearance permaturely
grave. After kindly relu ming his respect
full salutation, Don Pedro motioned him
to II seat directly in front of his own.
"Sir," said the stranger, my name,
which must be entirely strange to you, is
Juan lie Arevalo, and am an architect OF
profession"
| You have come hilher, attracted no
doubt by the notice which we in Toledo
have circul tied throughout Spain. calling
for an architect sufficiently skilllul to re-
build the bridge OF San MARTINI"
THAT is So"
Are you aware of all the difficulties of
the workp"
81 not only know them, your grace, but
| conceive myself capable of overcoming
them"
"Where have you studiedP" asked the
archbishop.
| "In Salamanca"
"And what builnidgs are those to which
you can point in proof of your skillP'
| None"
81 am very sorry, indeed, that you have
no credentials wherewth to satisfy us thai
if we confide in you we shall not trust il
vainp"
Il have one which at all events may
satisfy your grace"
And that isP"
"My life."
Explain yourself" cried the arch
bishop.
"When the supports of the centre arct
of the new bridge of San Martin are re
moved, the architect who designed it will
be found standing on the keystone of the
arch
81 agree to your terms" replied thu
archbishop, quite won over by the self
confidence of the stranger.
And | will fulfill them," returned tn,
architect.
The archbishop held out his hand to the
visitor, and the latter returned to his hous,
with a look of evident joy. The lady VIII,
had accompanied Juan de Arevalo to Tole
do, young and still lovely in spite of tn
traces of suffering on her face, awaite'
him with anxiety. and hurried to NEE
him at the door.
Catalina. my own!' exclaimed tn
architect, embracing his wife, 'amidst tn
monuments of art which beautiiy Toledo
| 4. a "a.
posterity the name of Juan de Arevalo." :"
, On the eve of the festival of San Ilde
fonso, patron saint of the city, Juan d
, Arevelo announced formally to the arch
f bishop that in order to complete his wor
there remained only the removal of tn
scaffolding from the three arches of th
5 bridge. the openings of which were sti
blocked up with intricate and yet sturd,
f masses of pine wood.
, The satisfaction of the archbishop an
the people was extreme. 1t is true thb
{ the removal of all the framework on whic
the massive but artistically chiseled block
of stone appeared to rest, was work {
r great danger, but the tranquil air of tn
f architect, who was committed to AVA
the perilous ordeal on the keystone Of tn
9 centre arch, inspired every one with conf
| dence.
. 1t was towards midnight, when Juan d
Y Arevao assembled the scaffolding of tn
t centre arch of the bridge, with the objec
r of seeing that every thing was in readide'
Q for the morrow's critical work, and as
:, slowly mounted upward he gleefully hun
med the refrain of some familiar sons
b Suddenly the song ceased from his lip
;, the Joy disappeared from his countenanct
: and he returned to his house full of sadne!
n and despair
e Catalina, his devoted and faithful wifi
a ran with cheerful face and loving words
0 meet him on the threshold of their hom
but as she saw the look of anguish on he
:, husbands countenance, her cheeks caugl
8 the pallor of his.
o "Tell me, for heavens sake,' she criet
o "are you ilP'
: mo, dear love-" replied Juan, endeavo
O ing to conceal his despair.
s "FCr the first time in your life you al
hiding something from me-" said Catalin
n "Am no longer worthy of that love an
g confidence which up to now you have eve
s bestowed upon meP'
t "Do not add to my trouble, Catalina, b
# doubling my love for you"
There can be no love where there is I
+ confidence.
!. "For your sake and mine do not SEE
: to know the secret that am hiding fro
s you," cried Juan.
2 Your secret is one of sadness, and
: must know it so that may comfort yc
e in your sorrow"
g "Comfort mel Alas, that is impossibl
Q Catalina"
If ITO love such as mine nothing is in
o possible"
o Every we'll, then; so be it. To.morro
IS | shall forfeit my honor and my life,
d l shall be swept away by the river
lgether with the structure which ha
n reared with SO much mingled anxiety al
y hope"
d mo, mol" cried Catalina, throwing h
h arms round her husband and sitting
is her breast the grief which bis words h
caused her,