The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-07-05
THE DATE.

AS Carmen sprang out of bed that
morning she exclaimed with exuberant
gayety:
To-day, today at last am 90 years
old"
And she ran to the mirror.
She surely expected to find her face
entirely changed. The longing impa-
tience of the little child, the still stronger
wishes of the grown up girl, the reading
of romantic verses and fantastic stories
everything contributed its share to-
wards setting forth in magic brightness
that SO ardently longed for hour in her
life. And without doubt she was now sur.
prised not to find radiant glory crown.
ing her head except the blonde braids
which formed halo about her forehead.
Then she raised her eyes, and while
she rested her gaze upon picture that
hung on the wall under wreath of
everlastings she could not suppress the
words:
"How beautiful mamma was! We dc
look very much alike"
Indeed, the countenance of the young
and beautiful woman, inclosed by the
frame, and that of the charming maiden
resembled each other like two sisters Of
the same age The expression of the
face, the childlike, undecided glance,
gave the dead almost the appearance of
younger sister, and a perpetual smile
seemed to play about her lips
81 am as beautiful as She" Carmen
continued, without taking her eyes from
the picture; "only it is noticeable that l
have a more decided character. OF
course, for have not been the head and
mistress Of our house so long now? And
If any one should perhaps not take me
for such, just let him ask papa But
there, chatter, and he is certainly ex-
pecting me-"
Carmen hastily completed her toilet,
gracefully grasped the train of her morn
ing dress, and quickly left her room to
go to that of her father.
Don Juan Crisostomo Lopez had lust
at this moment finished shaving. His
face resembled that of priest, gentle
and good. With little comb that he
always carried with him he had once
more combed his gray peruke-that pc
ruke, so inseparable from his personality.
with which Don Juan Crisostomo had
covered his head ever since years ago he
had passed some time on the island of
Cuba, where an obstinate fever had shat
tered his health and robbed him of his
hair.
Carmen exclaimed Don Juan on
hearing the noise of the door, and he
turned with open arms toward his
daughter. He pressed her tenderly to
his heart and murmured:
Eyes, she is the living picture of her
mother. Poor Consuelol From me she
has not one feature! But is there bet
ter balsam for my wound2 For does not
her charming being, with all her beauty
and grace, return to me in this child, so
blonde and sweet, that she left behind in
the cradle when she stepped down into
the grave"
listen, little rogue, said he immedi-
ately thereupon. "You must not think
that | have forgotten this day Yonder
on the table lies the present.
Quickly Carmen released herself from
his embrace and ran to the spot men
toned. A pretty little case stood on the
marble slab. Carmen opened it and
showed her delight.
"Ah, what precious ringl A ruby
set in diamonds"
ut is a memento Of your mother, "
said Don Juan, whose eyes filled with
tears Il often heard her say that she
intended one day to present it to You.
1t must be one of the ornaments of her
girlhood, for l did not give it to her
Put it on your finger"
Then they went to the dining room
and breakfasted in the happiest mood.
The southern sun, that floods with its
golden rays the coasts Of Malaga, where
father and daughter are living, danced
in the bottles and glasses and drew vivid
flashes from the stones of the ring. Car
men did not take her eyes from them,
now taking the ring of, now putting il
on, as she examined it closely.
Suddenly she exclaimed;
"Ahl my Godl have broken IT. Do
look, papa! But no! 1t can be opened
like medallion; and there is date on
it, too: 18- Watt
She cleansed the ring with few drops
of water, and after she had carefully
rubbed it the date shone forth clearly
and plainly.
"Jnne ?, 1866. Does not this date re-
mind you of anything, papaS"
June 2, 1862 repeated Don Juan,
and dropped his fork, ''Nol O yesl in
June. 1866, | was in Cuba. You have
made a mistake, little one. Let, let me
see"
Carmen gave him the ring. Don Juan
read the dG-e, and a slight pallor covered
his face. Then, Struggling his shoulders
and smiling. lie exclaimed:
Nothing! nothing! some forgotten
anniversary, perhaps entirely without
significance
But no one knew better than he with
what jealous care he had collected all
the "reminiscences Of the life Of that wo.
u.an, whom he idolized IN his msSaory,
aud which he treasured there ~ faith
fully as one treasures the ashes Of be-
loved creature in a sealed urn.
He could not, therefore, calm himself
. Notwithstanding the great effort he made
10 control himself Without saying an
other word, he arose from the table, and
after he was out Of Garments presence
he hurried TO his room In search OF soh
tude, there 10 solve all the questions tina
were rising in his troubled brain.
No; he could not harbor the least sus
! picion against Consuelo Il must be
! mistake. Who mowsf II was no
at an therefore from any misgivinl
: thnt Don Imam ru1lned Il that ittfla oof