St. Landry democrat., 1890-01-18
veins, al this.will never feed. or cloths

lively make me dislike you Why should
4 you wish to live upon an old mans hard
earnings You cannot see, but the blood
! Pushes nv face, / am panied"
Alefeo's brow was dark with anger, as
he flung the guitar to one side.
s'Stay Aleteo, do not be angry, when
| YOU eau prove to me that you can support
a wife, will gladly marry, YOU"
"Bona, of what use Is the mdsty leath-
| ern bag the old man will soon die, and it
will be all yours anyway"
81 will never consent. :.
81 will do something, anything, for am
mad, do not detain nue., let ME go. say"
| sAlefeo come back to me-" She sank
beside the vacant seat, and stared sadly
upon the shimmering moon beams, as they
fell upon the chair, where his pleading
face haunted her. She thought of the
happy days, when they played together on
the Sierra Morena Mountains, and all the
love of her heart melted in tears, as she
sadly picked up the instrument that be-
longed to him, and retired to kneel before
4 the little crucifx. that she might pray to
the Virgin of her sweetest blessings.
| The sleep of innocence settled with q
softer sorrow upon the beautiful face, that
was turned to the moonlight, which
streamed through the half open window.
| When the lovers separated, a figure stole
from the shadow of the fountain.
| "Pestel I thought as much Alefeo
has won her heart; by all the saints swear
he shall not have her The fool will wan.
der back when his hot blood cools l will
| play the game out; he shall return no
| more"
He drew black velvet domino from his
| pocket, turned his coat, unbuckled his
spurs, and crept towards the vine covered
cottage of Bonas. The window was up.
| With deliberate caution he climbed
through, and noislessly made his way to
| the old-fashioned closet, nere the cob
bler's boarded wealth was hidden.
| The heavy bag was lifted from it's place.
When he reached the window he halted
for moment, then with a feeling of rev
erence he stood over the sleeping girl,
made the sign of cross, and with kiss
that was as soft as the whisperings of
zephyr, disappeared in the shadows.
When he reached the fountain he ad
| iusted his dress, mounted his steed,
and rode slowly over the bridge that
| spanned the Guadalquivir, turned down
| the bank and rode for some miles, reined
to the left to follow a path that led to
single light which glimmered through the
foliage.
The apartment he entered was comforta
bly, furnished, but the absence of wealth
was conspicuous.
"Well, Pedro, were you successful in
negotiating demand loanG''
Eyes; although was spared the disa-
greeable duty of enforcing the demand,
thanks to Alefeo."
81 an glad that you were so lucky"
Poor Alefeo will get all the credit for
| the deed, while we will sit at this table
and count the wealth that has been accu-
mulating for years. It is a sin to bury
money, when so many people need it
They divided the gold, 'douced the glim-
mer," rode at sharp trot until Cordova
was many leagues behind, and never drew
rein until Madrid was in sight.
The robbery soon became known, the
cobbler was grieved in his heart, but his
philosophy came to the rescue to
soothe the wound that was not deep; he
arose earlier, while his pegging hammer
sounded with irmer ring.
AS Pedro had surmised, Alefeo was sud
denly berated; the officers failed to secure
him, and time. the healer of all sensations,
dimmed the memories Of injustice
"Bona, you are growing paler every
day. Don't let the loss worry you, we can
soon regain the wealth, you forget the
casks in the cellar. The wine is now six
years old, and will bring good money for
every drop, then I get more work, the
neighbors are kind"
The girl did not reply, but sadly shook
her head ard moved away to conceal the
tears that were slowly stealing down her
cheeks.
1t was NOT the gold, but the yearning
love that prayed for the maynard compan-
ion of her youth. He was dearer, because
of the cloud that Swallowed his yonng life.
her beads, and barred the aching heart that
beat most tenderly for the absent one.
Bona, sit here, and hold this twine,
while reel off enough for use. You are
giving me more sorrow than the loss of the
money. am going to send you to Madrid,
the change will do you good. Senior Cas-
tela will give you q seat behind him upon
bis Andalusian mule, whose easy gait will
not fatigue you. Get ready, for he leaves
Cordova at SUNRISE"
The old man hustled around to hide the
tears that would fall upon his work as he
bent lower to secure the stitches that
seemed to be unusually knotty and hard
to fasten.
Bona arranged the few articles of dress
that she would need, and secured them in
a light bundle, which she strapped to the
saddle.
With feigned gayety that hurt her
heart, she rode away. The dusty roads
and tired travellers brought little pleasure
to her mind. When Madrid was reached
she lost her dullness in the hurrylng activ
ity around her.
The Senior was very kind and attentive,
for his heart was touched by the suffering
girl, whose listlessness was source Of
trouble which he did not know how to
remedy. In his bnngling, good natured
way, he surrounded her with his lively
relatives, whose very joyousness proved
cause of annoyances
The bright morning sun never shone
upon more light hearted crowd, as
men, women and children hurried in one
direction to find seats in the great ampi-
theatre that was almost filed even at that
early hour.
The Senior lifted Bona behind him, and
rode forward at gallop to secure desira-
BILE seats for himself and party. But alas
the good ones were taken. 1t was with
difficulty that he found places for the
ladies in the front row.
Bona's eyes cevoured the royal pavilion
with all the pleasure Of child, for she had
never seen the good queen The flashing
jewels and costly robes dazzled her sight,
until shout from the audience recalled
her wandering thoughts.
A magnificent bull from her own noun
tain home slowly moved around the arena,
while his sleek, fat sides reflected light as
from mirror. The ngo,ged eyes and