Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1891-12-26

ing, mournrul, ana 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, a 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
Maurizio-"one of the wild native airs
that hnger among the people and that
are now and then caught and formulated
by the composers"
What did it say to you, senor?" 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 the
close she wanders back to memories of
their love, of how in the summer night
he would come and sing beneath her
window. Then she remembers that he
is dead, and ends with cry of despair. !"
"a very mournful motif" said Don
Maurizio "Giye us something a little
more cheerful, and then will play phy-
sician and order Mr.. Derwent to bed"
'Sing an Ave Maria, my child" said
quiet voice at the door; and as Derwent
looked in that direction he saw tall,
slender man, wearing the cassock OF
priest, enter the room.
'"rhis is a member of our family
group whom you would have met earlier
if he had not been absent until today"
said Don Maurizio; 'our good friend
and chaplain, Padre Francisco"
There was something very charming
in the dark, gentle face, with finely out
lined features and soft brown eyes that
looked at Derwent with smile as they
shook hands.
IL am grieved to hear Of your acci-
dent, senior" he said in very good Eng
lish. "As Don Maurizio has remarked,
have been away for two weeks, else l
should have expressed my regret sooner.
But you are getting well?"
Derwent replied suitably, and then
I turning to Dona Zarifa, said, 81 hope
that, since am under orders to retire,
senorita, you viii sing at least one more
song before / 60"
/ Il will sing the Ave Maria for which
ell padre has asked" she replied. Il
think you will like that"
! Derwent was very sure of it, when he
heard the strains of Cherubinis "Ave
Maria" Often as he had heard this
beautiful song before, it was always IN
soprano arrangement, and he thought
that he had never appreciated its exqui-
site harmonies until he heard them rem
dered by Dona Zarifa's rich contralto
tones She sang it like a prayer; and
the noble strains fingered in his ear long
after he said good night and retired to
his chamber.
They haunted him after he had laid
his head on his pillow. Still in his men,
ory vibrated the full, mellow notes OF
the enchanting voice, and before his eyes
hoated picture of the silken draped
form, with its silver ornaments, and the
beautiful face out of which shone the
starlike splendor of the dark eyes.
1t was not strange that his last thought
before falling asleep was to say to him
self severely. Il must take care that !
am not such fool as to fall in love with
Dona Zarifa."
ITO BE CONTINUED