Morris tribune., 1881-01-06

THE UNFORTUNATE LOVERS.

The last CLEAN of day was silvering the
waters of the Guadelquivir, at the mouth
of which stands the ancient city of Valencia.
Above other buildings rose the tower of
Miquilet, with its bell sending its solemn
tones far and near, calling the inhabitants
to prayer. Far as the eye could reach, ex-
tended the fertile valley of Huerta de VAL
encia. studded with thriving villages. vine
yards and cottages, surrounded by the lofty
mountains of Catalonia. The stars were
slowly gemming the fields of azure, and the
crescent moon. ascending the vault of
heaven; it was indeed night of beauty-a
scene to attrme the mind to happiness and
peace.
The service had ceased, and the congre-
cation was slowly departing from the
cathedral of Saint Cecilius. Among the last
of the wOrshippers was young female,
closely shroudedina mantilla yet of SO thin a
texture was it, that her face and figure were
almost preceptible. Inner hand she carried
fan of the most exquisite workmanship,
but seemingly more for ornament than use !;
behind her hobbled an old duenna, who,
with difficulty, kept pace with the tripping
feet of Donna Isabella, for such was the
name of the maiden. Close by her side
walked young and noble-looking cavalier,
whose deep dark eye was riveted upon her,
while ever and anon chances of recognition
were exchanged between them, till, atlength,
the suspicion Of the old lady was aroused,
who, shouldered aside the youth, and Selling
the arm of her young charge, quilted her
not till they reached a noble mansion in the
neighborhood of the ever verdant Glorietta.
But the young cavalier was not to be
fhu,o cd ", 1lhio oh fn
| to his lady love billet of appointment, nor
| was Donna Isabelle deficient of invention
in favoring the wishes of her lover, for just
as she was ON the eve of ascending the
stairs leading to her mansion, she dropped
her fan as if by accident. The opportunity
was Immediately seized by the cavalier, who
lifting it, unseen to the duenne, slipped
within it's folds billet, and kneeling, pre-
scented it to the blushing girl.
You are too forward, muttered the an
cient lady. 1T is well her brother is not at
hand, else he would chastise thy insolence. u
"He burst not, replied the cavalier; "my
blood is as noble as that which flows within
the veins of any of the race of Velasquez. u
"Hoity-toity, we shall see that, " said the
old crone and raising her voice, she cried
for assistance.
| Leave me, leave me, for the sake of the
| Virgin mother" imploringly spoke Donna
| Isabella.
"You will meet me, then, as specified
within the billet" said the youth.
81 will, will, God willing, and opportu-
nifty occurs. Now, leave mel"
The youth hastily snatched her hand, and
dressed it to his lips. The next moment he
was lost among the mazes of the Glorietta.
| The noise of the duenna had alarmed the
| ,f hn hoe cd IN, no,
assistance, but the calm demeanor of Isabella
converted their alarm into laughter, especi-
ally when she informed them that the old
DANES cries arose solely from the polite at
tention of a passing cavalier in rendering
her her fan which she had accidentally
dropped
That night, when the bell of Miquilet
told the midnight hour, Isabella stood in he1
balcony which overhung the garden. A
slight movement was soon heard among the
orange foliage, anda tall figure, shrouded ii
a flowing mantle, advanced and stood be.
meath the balcony. --.. =
care you ready?" asked the mask -
" ami answered the maiden in breath
scarce audible from terror.
Secure then this ladder to the rails an6
descend" And throwing ladder of silke1
cords, it was caught by Isabella, who, hav
ing fastened it as desired, the next momen
she was in the arms of her lover.
''Now, then, for the chapel of the Lad,
Mother-ere morning you will be for evel
mine.
THAT morning you will never see, criet
Don Henriquez, brother of Isabella, advanc.
ing from an outrageous shrubbery close by
Traitor! william would you seek to dishonol
the noble blood of Velasquez? Draw, COW.
ard, and defend thyself!'
With the speed of lightning were tn,
rapiers of the opponents crossed, and will
the speed of lightning was that of Henri
quez buried in the heart Of the mask-who
falling exclaimed: "Henriquez, you hav,
killed your prince!" -.
The alarm speedily brought the domestic
to the scene of slaughter-the mask was re
moved from the face Of the departed, ant
too surely were the gallant features of tn,
noble Pedro, Prince of CASTLE and Arragol
revealed to the horror stricken gaze O.
Henriquez.
With difficulty did the domestics untwin'
the arms of Isabella from the body Of he
lover sense had forsaken her, and whe1
she awoke to consciousness it was only t.
murmur the name of Pedro with her dyins
breath.
Mournful, yet grand, was the funeral O.
the i'll fated prince, and in pity to his low
was the sweet corpse of Isabella consigned
to the royal tomb to rest in death with he
lover, while weary of his life,
"Henriquez fled to Venice, and embarking,
Flung it away in battle with the Turk"
In the Cathedral of st. Cecilius may We
be seen the tomb of the unfortunate lovers
| It stands in the east nave, containing tn,