Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-09-06

| the young girl in her room, declaring that
she should remain a prisoner until she
, came to her senses.
In the morning Jose Benito appeared
with a note from his master He was
dressed in a new suit of clothes as became
the Secretary of millionaire, and looked
handsomer than ever
In the note Senior Zayas requested per-
mission to visit his bride, which the widow
did not dare to refuse Then she set to
work to prepare the obstinate girl for the
interview. 1t was not an easy task. Only
after a storm of threats and abuse did
Maria allow herself to be arrayed in a
silk gown belonging to one of her cous-
ins, and conducted to the parlor to await
the arrival of The dreaded bridegroom.
The widow met him at the door. She
thought it wise to inform him of Maria's
rebellious state of mind before he saw her.
'eH'm So she objects to the marriage,
does she? That is serious" said the old
man, thoughtfully. ''Please allow me to
see her alone for few moments | think
/ can tame the little rebel" he added,
with self-satisfed smile
A solitary interview was contrary to all
laws of Spanish etiquette, but this was an
extreme case and the widow was forced to
give way Although she was dying with
curiosity TO be present she took the old
man to the parlor and left him alone with
the unfortunate girl.
When she returned to the room half an
hour later she found Maria weeping Bit
terly, but the old man was sitting at her
side, holding her dainty hand in his rough,
red paws. He had evidently conquered.
In the days that followed Maria crept
about the house pale and silent. Jose
Benito came constantly, bringing flowers
and rich presents from his master to the
bride. Every evening the old man was at
Maria's side, and strange as it may seem,
she was evidently growing fond of him.
Her lovely eyes sparkled when he appeared
and his whispered words often brought
rosy blush to her fair cheeks.
AS for the widow and her daughters,
the old mans ugly face was gilded by his
gold. They declared that he was the most
elegant of gentlemen and their hatred and
Jealousy OF Maria increased every moment.
But they were helpless and dared not
say word.
Not far from Corunna an elegant villa
stood in the midst of an extensive park.
Its owner lived in Madrid and the place
had been for sale for many years, but as no
one in Corunna was rich enough to pur-
chase such magnificent property it stood
in solitary state, while the surrounding
shrubbery and forest underground, among
which squirrels and wild deer roamed at
will
One morning the gossips of Corunna
became wildly excited over the rumor that
the rich stranger from America had pur-
chased the entire estate, and would fit up
the mansion with the utmost splendor to
receive his bride. That this rumor was
true was soon proved by the armies of
carpenters, masons painters, and gardeners
which swarmed about the villa, and by the
great vans which were being loaded with
furniture Of the richest description, which
a ship had brought from London TO Co
runna.
Senor de Zayas and his secretary, Jose
Benito, directed all the Improvements in
person, and the old man took special in
terest in the renovation and decoration of
the chapel, for it was here that he intend
ed the marriage ceremony to take place.
From time to time he went in an ele-
giant carriage drawn by a span of magnif-
cent English horses. to take his bride to
view the progress of the work. On these
as was proper, by the widow Sanchez and
her daughters, to whom the old man was
most courteous, although certain people
declared that they had seen him make
furious grimaces behind their backs which
revealed quite different state of feeling.
Maria apparently took little interest in
these preparations for her future luxury.
Still the roses were beginning to bloom on
her cheeks, and the gossips said that, when
talking with the handsome Secretary of
her future lord, her lips were much more
smiling than the occasion called for.
The widow and her daughters. on the
contrary, treated Jose Benito with great
rudeness; in fact, they ignored him COM
pletely but they were lavish in their
praises of the villa, and bowed down to
Don Jose de Zayas as did the Israe lites of
old to the golden calf.
"Ah. Senior, / fear love has made you
blind" said the widow, with her sweetest
smile II am positive that Maria cares
nothing for you. She is marrying you
only to escape from US. Although we
have protected her all her life, the un-
grateful girl has always hated us. Then,
too, she is girl with no manners; she is
not fit to be the mistress of an elegant
mansion like yours. She will not make
you happy, Senior. l should be proud to
see you married to some lady of good
Corunna family, and if she were not chit
of girl like Maria, but some person of
age and intelligence, surely she would be
more companionable for you"
The widow had made bold stroke, and
she waited to watch the effect other words,
but the old mans face was immovable.
He stood watching her with his little
sharp, piercing gray eyes and said not
word.
"Ah, Senior, you do not answer me, you
cannot she persisted, encouraged by his
silence "You, too, have noticed that
Maria is not fit to be your wife. Now if
you really desire young and pretty wife
you should select one with some style
about her, like my Petra or my Romona;
not such an awkward ignorant creature as
Maria, who might make a decent wife for
your stupid secretary, but not for you"
'Caramba Senora," roared the old man.
81 shall marry whom l please. l have
loved Maria ever since she was child,
and that's the end of it. AS to my secre-
tary, am fond of the young man, and
must beg you to speak respectfully of him;
and, let me tell you, he is quite able to
manage his own love affair when he
chooses to have one."
The widow trembled with rage, but she
dared not say another word. The man had
her tight in his clutches.
At last all the preparations were COM
plete. The villa was bower of luxury
and beauty. the adjoining chapel was
magnifcently decorated, and the grounds
were a paradise of sparkling fountains
and flowers. For three successive Sundays
the banns between Senior Don Jose de
Zayas and Senorita Dona Maria de Rivera
::,.,.,I =, IL Gs.lsl,,sl e