Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1884-10-03


brothes. We have our duties, our
prayesi our routine We know moth
! ing of he outer world save that there
is sick bss ani death in it; that there
are primers, and those doomed to ex-
ecutiof We are sent to help these at
times. OF the rest-of the happy, the
gay, thee who dance, those who marry
aud giS..ip. marriage-we know moth
ing. ae hlinl to fair women's
pI-.,.lss11 sAsy Q: sa!og Don't smile.
creatures better that |, once no one
was better liked by them Tnat was
before | was Brother Basil.
am ive-and thirty now, and have
lived in this convent 10 years. | desire
to die here, since | must die.
| will write my story down, and
leave it behind me as II warning to
others. will write it down that no
one may trust false, fair face, and
false, dark. devilish eyes, as | did
eyes like gazelle's. But, oh. she
was teautiful-b beautiful as women
seldom are-though she was not "a lady,
and was "a gentleman.
was Don Basil then, and | lived
with my gray haired father-a proud,
naughty man. and very rich one
in our handsome house. She was
beautiful, as | have said, and fell in
love with her. Nay, why should
Brother Basil have any pride: He
has adjured it. | will tell you.
She was a washerwoman, and no
more She brought home the washed
linen once a week IN basket on her
head. But when Sunday came and |
saw hes crossing the piazza on her way
TO the cathedral, her mantilla shading
her hair. a r,d rose just behind the
ear in those great black waves that
glitfered ss no jet does. Il fan in her
hand, glove upon it-"surely,
used TO say. "she looks like lady,
Were she rich, no one could do more
credit TO fine dress and Jewels; and
then sand: Il will marry her and
make her lady"
Father Basil does not blush for Don
Basil then. Perhaps ! might have
done as rich men often do-wooed the
pour girl and left her as broken toy
when i grew weary. Instead | gave
her honest love. spoke to her. She
did not deny me she said she also
loved me. But my fath~r-well.
knew him. need not have doubted
what he would do-how lie would
feel.
7 hrr'yhi before my wedding day
lie saIt 70 ne.
Basil, | have never besought favor
Of man. bat beseech YOU 10 save my
heart from breaking. Do not marry
this girl, who has beguiled YOU. Give
her money. aIl she asks for. and return
10 me. II YOU make her your wife
shall die of shame Basil, Basil, you
are ye'y dear TO me, and | deserv,
something III your hands.
Tears arose To my eyes. bowed
nv bead before hir; but | could mol
do his bidding.
Then one thing remains, alway:
mean what ] saw. The hour that sou
marry this woman you are no longer
as ~ of mine; yuu leave my home
and legally deprive you of al ri D.. hi
TO my estate. See" He spread be
fore a plrcnmeut; "the deed ls drawn
it only needs my signature. | viii
not sign il until your are her husband
for il is my own d,ath warrant. Bu
when the ring Is OIL her finger, pu
my name here.
He struck the parchment with the
back OF his haud aud thrust it into
his bosom.
AT the last moment you may draw
back" he SAID. My lawyer will com,
to me when the ceremony is completed
not before"
Father | said, "your fortune i.
your own; but you married the woman
you loved
Il married lady," said he. "Wher
you marry this washerwoman | sigr
the deed that disinherits YOU"
That night | told Pepita all.
"Let him keep his pride and hi
money!" said she, and her eyes gilt
tered. And though | believed my
father would do as he said, | made
ready for my bridal next day. Th,
door of my fathers room was still
made fast. lie gave me neither ours,
nor blessing.
In the church | met Prpita. Sh,
had neither relatives nor friends. W.
stood alone before the priest only
leaning against a great column | saw
a man wrapped in cloak, with 1
sombrero drawn over his face.
1t was Guiliam, the notary sent,
know, to bear tidings of the ceremony
to my father.
AS the priest pronounced the bene
diction the notary left the church.
We were married. took Pepita or
my arm: We passed down the aisle and
out into the street. AS we crossed the
plaza, man, bareheaded, and with
hair floating in the wind, rush TOWARD
US.
"In the name of God and all the
saints! Don Basil-your father-hs
is dead murdered II went to NEE,
him by appointment! found the
servants alarmed by his long retire.
ment in his room We broke down tn.
door; he lay on his bed strangled with
his own handkerchief"
"Suicide, perhaps said Pepita
''He was angry with Don Basil fol
marrying me"
The notary looked at her. "We al
make Mistakes" he said. 1--WE viii
not blame him for this; he is dead"
heard this, even while | struggled
with an awful faintness-a blindnes.
like that of death. l felt that Pepit,
had charmed even the cold notary.
In fewmoments was able to walk