Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-11-14
A STRANGE RELEASE.

In 1850 Charlie Page WAS in old Mexico
engaged in herding cattle. Not from the
love of wild life. but because he could earn
hard dollars. and later on because his
heart had gone out to Zareta Hernandez
the daughter OF old Hernandez on the
MeXoS.
That he loved the girl was no wonder,
for she was noted beauty even among
the many beautiful Spanish women VINO
lived In that section, but that he, poor
Charlie Page, the American, should have
won Zareta's love in return. when a score
OF the richest rancheroS, both Mexican
and Spanish, were literally at her feet
might have been thought strange.
Such however was the condition OF al
fairs. and despite the objections oil her
family and the positive interference o!
some of her other lovers, the girl had be-
come solemnly engaged to Charlie and
promised to MARRY him in the fall.
And those who knew her best were sat
Isfled that at this point opposition must
cease, for IL Page lived, Zareta would be
his bride at the time agreed or In her grave.
The match was consequently considered
in the best light possible by Zaretas lam
ily, and Charlie allowed the freedom of a
future sou.in-law. As the old man put
Il:
.Ze boy is no re Spaniard, an' not as
choose; but, Santa Maria re girl Is &c
Spaniard, an she choose
That told the whole story. Zireta was
Spanish maid, and would do as she
would do. Let those oppose who might
dare.
The Rubicon once passed, matters NOV
ed ON more smoothly, and nothing seemed
10 fret the cause OF true love except-there
Is always an exception-the implacabiIty
and ugliness OF one Of the girls discarded
lovers. who would not consent to be cast
aside after the manner of men, bat ragged
aud threatened, daily growing worse.
This man was Dion Combra, half
breed. but mau of wealth-a person OF
furious and uugoverned temper, who
swore the match should not go on.
Page occasionally met his scowler, but
no words had passed between them until
one evening, late in August when he sur
prised his persistent rival delivering a pas
sionate lecture to the mother of Zaretar
quiet little woman who could only trem'
BILE before the profane rage of the half
breed
Instantly conceiying the cause OF the
scene. Charlie sprang forward, and
thrusting himself before the other, HI
cried:
"Draw back you hound! Why do you
frighten woman? l am here to answer
for 2areta Hernandez, and her mother Il
nv mother. Another insulting word, ant
Ill fling you into the river yonder J"
For an instant the half-crazed Combr'
stood speechless; then shrieking out al
oath. he tore knife from his bosom, an'
flung himself upon the American, only t
be met with a sudden blow, that hurled
him senseless to the ground, while Page
took the little mother of his sweetheart
quickly from the scene.
Impressing Madam Hernandez with tn
necessity of secrecy with regard to TIL
unpleasant transaction, the young love
himself forgot it for the next three hours
within the sweet shelter of two warn
arms, and gazing into liquid eyes tha
were filled with yielding love; but TIT
matter was suddenly brought TO mine
aqain. as he rode homeward through tn
misty moonlight, by the whiz Of knife
hurled from chaparral by the roadside
and the sight of dim figure leapins dow'
the river bank toward a waiting boat.
With a SUDDEN touch of the spur, tn
Young man followed, but too late. Th
light skid fed from the shore like shad
'ow.