The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-02-26

tate 10 go anu open IL Much surprised
he found himself in the presence of the
Spaniard, Carpena.
This Carpena was native OF Almayati,
little town in the province of Malaga.
As Ferrato had left Corsica so had he
left Spain TO settle in Istria There he
found employment in the salt works and
in carrying the products of the western
coast into the interiors; thankless occu-
patton that barely brought him enough
to live upon.
He was strong fellow, still young,
being not more than five and twenty,
short of statue, but broad of shoulder,
with large head covered with curly,
coarse black hair, and one of those bull
dog faces that look as forbidding on
man as on dog. Carpena was unsoci-
able, spiteful vindictive, and a good
deal of scoundrel, and was anything
but popular. 1t was not known why he
had left his country. Several quarrels
with his fellow workmen, a good deal
of threatening with one and the other,
followed by fights and scuffles, had not
added to his reputation. People liked
Carpena best mt distance.
He, however, had sufficiently good
opinion of himself and his person as
we shall see-and was ambitious of
becoming Ferrato's son in law. The
fisherman, it must be confessed, did not
give his overtures cordial reception.
And that will be understood better when
the mans pretensions have been dis
closed in the conversation that followed.
Cnrpena had hardly set foot in the
room than Andrea stopped him short
with
What have YOU come here for?"
81 was passing, and as | saw light
in your window | came in "
And why? ?"
"To visit you, neighbor."
But your visits are not wanted, you
know :"
Not usually, answered the Spaniard;
"but tonight it may be different.
Ferrato did not understand and could
not guess what such enigmatic words
meant i'll Carpena's mouth. But he
could not repress sudden start, which
did not escape his visitor, who shut the
door behind him.
II wantio speak to you !" said he.
No. You have nothing to say to me. "
Yes I must speak to you pri-
vate," added the Spaniard lowering his
voice.
Come then" answered the fisher
man, who during this day had his
reasons for not refusing anyone admit
tance. Carpena, at a sign from Ferrato,
crossed the room and entered his bed
room, which was separated only by a
thin partition from that occupied by
Sandorf and his companion. One room
opened on to the front, the other Oh to
| the back OF the house. As soon as they
| were alone
What do you want with me-" asked
| the fisherman.
"Neighbor," answered Carpena, Il
again come to appeal to your kindness. ;"
What for:'
About yonr daughter
Not another word"
Listen then! You know that love
Maria, and that my dearest wish is to
make her my wife.
Aud in fact Carpena had for several
months been pursuing the girl with his
| attentions. As may be imagined, these
were due more to interest than to love.
Ferrato was well off for fisherman and,
compared to the Spaniard, who possessed
nothing, he was rich. Nothing could he
more natural than that Carpena should
wish to become his son-in-law, and on
the other hand nothing could be more
natural than that the fisherman invari-
ably showed him the door.
"Carpena, answered Ferrato, 'you
have already spoken to my daughter
and she has told you no. You nave
already asked me and l have told you
no. You again come here to-day and l
tell you no for the last time"
| The Spaniard's face grew livid. His
lips opened and showed his teeth. His
eyes darted ferocious look at the fisher
man. But the badly lighted room pre-
vented Ferrato from seeing that threaten.
ing physiognomy
That is your last word ?" asked
Carpena.
THAT is my last word, if it is the last
time you ask me. But if you renew the
| request you shall have the same reply"
"I shall renew it! Yes 1 shall
renew it," repeated Carpena-" if Maria
tells me to do So"
"She do so !" exclaimed Andrea
"She You know she has neither friend.
ship nor esteem for you!"
Her sentiments may change when ]
have had an interview with her,
answered Carpena.
"An interview"
Eyes, Ferrato. / wish to speak Il
her"
"Wbep.n
"Now1 you pndarstand-J mus
sneok 70 har-I mnet~th;s verv niobt y
con her behalf 7 refusen -
"Take oare What Won ave do;ng - col,
Carnena RAISING his voice "Toke care,,
|