The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-08-21
A ROMANTIC PLOT.
The Most Carefully-Laid Plans Will
Sometimes 90 Wrong.

oMarena," said Miss Theresa Parola,
.the most romantic adventure"
"How delightful said Marena
"Romance is so-so--"
$50 rare in this dreadful country"
said Miss Theresa.
Miss Theresa Parola had never been
resident of any other land. She was
born, brought up and educated in Squig-
gletown, but as her parents had both
been Spaniards, and her grandfather,
who had long survived his children,
was veritable Spanish hidalgo, she
felt herself greatly injured by being,
to all intents and purposes, an Ameri-
can girl. She sighed for orange-groves
and guitars, for high combs and black
lace mantillas. She wore a rose be-
hind her ear, carried black fan, wore
high-heeled boots, and used her eyes
impressively. But people would not
recognize that she was at heart for
eigner, and the great majority of the
people at Squiggletown spoke to her as
Miss Farley. Moreover, she had not
been taught SPANISH her parents dy-
ing in her babyhood, and Miss Smith,
to whose care the distant grandfather
had consigned her, having placed her
early at strictly English school, be-
leving that it was her duty to get as
much of the good Yankee element in
to her as possible.
IL shouldn't feel my duty done If |
were TO let her grow up foreigner,
Miss Smith declared.
The Spaniard was rich. He paid the
bills and sent a liberal allowance TO his
granddaughter. AS she grew older he
desired that she should have maid,
and Miss Parola soon rejoiced in the
presence of Marena, who came from
Spain, and with whom she began to
practice what she called her native
language, and her one hope was that
her grandfather would some day per-
nit her to come to him. The estima-
BILE Don Parola, however, was having
a very good time at Madrid. He still
found himself admired and held fine
position in society. He had no idea of
settling down as the grandpa of a
grown young woman. He had spoken
OF "my poor daughters infant" for
eighteen years, and the information
that the infant was of age thrilled him
with horror.
II must marry her." he said; 81 must
marry her to some one who will keep
her in America
Therefore the romance of which The
resa spoke to Marena.
What the former knew of it was con-
tanned in "a letter which she now held
in her hand:
My dear granddaughter, best beloved Of my
heart, never-forgotten child of my ever-be-
walled daughter: 1 have not had the Joy Of
holding you in my arms and receiving your
filial caress. A great pressure of business cares
has prevented, and still prevents, this mex
pressible happiness, but constantly think OF
your welfare, and to settle YOU in life will be
my hottest care. Shortly will arrive in Amer
lea very excellent and worthy young man.
blood in his veins is that of great men. have
chosen him for you. do not command, but 1
entreat you to accept him. Don Diego Is
worthy OF your charms, as behold them in
your photograph. The moment that he writes
to me that you are betrothed to him will buy
him partnership in tho largest wooden house
in New York. Probably he will not be long in
following this letter. Hoping that shall hear
of your great happiness, I remain, embracing
you, weeping over you, clasping you to my
heart, ever-beloved orphan of my lamented
shildren. Your adoring grandfather.
PETR0 PARoLA.
ga romance at last, you see," said
Theresa, after she had read the letter
TO her maid. "And l intend to make
1t still more romantic"
"Howp" asked Marena.
MY plan is this" said Theresa.
"Ihls arrangement of marriage with
Don Carlos Diego. who is sure to be-
handsome young Spaniard, with lovely
eyes and mustache, is so far romantic.
but it has very mercenary aspect to
it after all. Now I want to be sure
that he loves me for myself alone, and
1 have plan to prove it So"
''Oh, tell me, miss! cried Marena.
miss Smith being fortunately
away, and the house to ourselves for
three weeks, we can carry it out"
said Theresa You must help me.
Marena. When Don Diego comes you
must pretend that you are |. You
must receive him. / will be your
maid. You will address me as Ma
rena. I will wear your caps and
apron. You will put on my dresses
and jewelry. He will pay his merce-
nary attentions to you, but when he
sees how lovely am, how much bet
ter educated, how much more charm
ing altogether than you are, he will
iall in love with me. He will say:
Not for all Don Parola's gold
Will / give my hand where
NY heart will never 90 Yoi, Mariana