Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-10-29

that stretch of fert.:s country between
Irapuato and Queretaro: divide my
time between that place and this, with !
month or two now and then in Mexico
But, rich. productive and beautiful. toe
as the Bajio is, both my daughter ano
myself prefer this wilder country: and il
we were called upon to name our home
| think we should say Mirafores.
without doubt. said Dona Zarifa.
''There is no place in the world SO deai
to me as this"
"That is very good for girl who is
fresh from a season in Paris. is it not?
Eaid Don Maurizio, as he laid his hand
caressingly on her wrist.
She placed her other hand over his,
and looked up at him with her dark eyes
melting into more liquid softness than
they had known before. "You were
not in Paris" she said. with an enchant-
ing smile.
''No, thank heavenl' he answered gay
ly. "What should Mexican hacien-
dado, with his heart among his iocks
and herds, do there? But go, carina
mia, and give us some music. Let Mr.,
Derwent see what he thinks of our Mex
lean airs"
She rose instantly and moved across
the fioor-a perfect picture of grace,
Derwent thought, III her soft, simmer
ing draperies. and with her natural un-
studied charm of step and bearing.
Sitting down to the piano. she struck
few chords and began to sing in CON
tralto SO rich and sweet that it was like
notes drawn from violin by master
hand rather than the sounds of the
human voice. What she sang her lis
tener did not know-the words were
Spanish-but the air was wild, haunt
ing. mournful, and yet passionate in the
extreme. AS he listened he seemed to
see the rugged mountain passes. the
great Sierras like storm tossed waves.
the vast expanse of mighty plains, the
sad. gentle faces and passionate eyes Of
the people; then the strain sank to
lower key, tender sweetness stole into
it, as though tropical flowers were breath
ing their fragrance out on the starry
night. and with one last burst of sad,
strange melody it ended
''Oh, yes, it is Mexican" said Don
of the wild native airs
that linger among the people and that
are now and then caught and formulated
by the composers.
what did it say to you, senory' asked
Zarifa, turning around.
He told what it had suggested, and
she smiled as if pleased "A girl is re-
lating how her lover has been killed
among the wild mountains, and how her
own heart is broken. she said. AT tine
close she wanders back TO memories of
their love. OF how in the summer night
be would come and sing beneath her
Then she remembers that he |
IS dead, and ends with cry Of despair"
"a very mournful motif" said Don
Maurizio "Give us something a little
more cheerful. and then | will play ply
ician and order Mr.. Derwent to bed"
"Sing an Ave Maria, my child" said |
quiet voice at the door; and as Derwent |
ooked in that direction he saw tall. |
lender man, wearing the cassock of a
,riest. enter the room.
"rhis is member Of our family
,roup whom you would have met earlier
he had not been absent until today"
aid Don Maurizio; "our good friend |
nd chaplain, Padre Francisco"
There was something very charming
n the dark, gentle face, with finely ont
med features and soft brown eyes that
Doked at Derwent with smile as they
hook hands
81 am grieved to hear of your acct
ent, senior" he said in very good Eng
sh. ''As Don Maurizio has remarked.
have been away for two weeks, else /
hould have expressed my regret sooner.
Tut you are getting well.r
Derwent replied suitably, and then
1rning to Dona Zarifa. said, Il hope
nat. since am under orders to retire.
snorita, yon will sing at least one more
ing before go.
Il will sing the Ave Maria for which
padre has asked she replied. Il
link You viii like that"
Derwent was very sure of it. when he
card the strains of Cherubini's Ave
aria Often as he had heard this
eautiful song before, it was always in
soprano arrangement, and he thought
lat he had never appreciated its exqui-
te harmonies until he heard them rem
'red by Dona Zarifa's rich contralto
mes She sang it like a prayer: aud .
e noble strains fingered in his ear long
ter he said good night and retired to ,
S chamber.
They haunted him after he had laid
5 head on his pillow Still in his men,
y vibrated the full. mellow notes os !
9 enchanting voice, and before his eyes
ated a picture Of the silken draped Z
rln. with its silver ornaments. and the
autiful face out of which shone the
lrlike splendor Of the dark eyes.
1t was not strange that his last thought
fore falling asleep was to say to hi;n-
Z severely, II must take care that 1
1 not such fool as to fall in love with c
ma Zarifa. (,
CHAPTER TX Y