Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1892-02-12
CARMEN.

her was seductive. of penetrating charm
and enchanting grace. Her sweet, youth
full yisage, of an alabaster white, slightly
tinted with pink, bore the imprint OF rare
distinction. large black eyes, shaded by
long lashes, gave her at times grave air.
which was quickly dissipated by the smile
upon her lips. A corsage garnished with
jet usually decked her shapely bust, her
short skirt revealed tiny feet with finely
turned ankles, which more than one aristo-
craticsenorita envied her. Her voice had
melody of exquisite purity. She sang
and danced ravishingly.
Not less handsome was Miguel, the
youth upon whose arm Carmen was lean
ing. In stature slightly above the medium,
admirably proportional. of lofty hearing,
with bright eyes and intelligent forehead,
he seemed born to protect the noble young
girl
They were slowly walking along a path
bordered by orange trees and myrtles
forming terrace above the Duero, the
waters of which flowed between thickly
shaded banks through the valley of Para
disc
It was the anniversary of Garments birth.
on this occasion Don Luis Ayelo, her father,
had invited few friends to spend the after
noon at the country residence he owned at
the gates of Grenada. In the first rank OF
these friends was the Ortega family of
which Miguel was the eldest son.
Miguel and Carmen had grown up to
gether An invincible penchant had drawn
one toward the other For a long while
brotherly and sisterly affection had sub
sisted between them: then. without their
knowledge, this affection had been trans
formed into II deep and passionate love, but
they had not as yet mutually confessed it.
OF what were they talking? OF thou
sand insignificant things which delighted
| them Their chances were full of tender
| ness, and they bent with confidence one to
| ward the other.
The young Spaniard experienced for the
| first time the voluptuous thrill impaired
| by the arm or hanl of the beloved woman,
and when his curly locks touched Garments
| forehead he felt in all his being an mex
plicabie but delicious faintness. His voice,
which bad grown softer and more pene-
trating. deliciously agitated the young
girls heart In her also the flower Of love
was blooming and it's perfume intoxicated
her. A strange sensation. wholly new,
gradually invaded her; she chung more
| closely to the arm of her childhood's friend.
With a sudden spring their lips met, they
both uttered the same exclamation: this
| first avowal and this first kiss sealed their
betrothal.
Happy and blushing, Carmen, as if to re-
gain possession of herself, led Miguel to
the edge of the terrace. where they gave
| themselves up to vague contemplation.
1t would be difficult to find more mar.
| velous landscape than that which at that
moment the fast setting sun empurpled
| throughout its entire extent. Lying lazily
l against it's two hills Grenada opened like
| the fruit the name of which it bears, dis
| playing its houses, its palaces, the cupolas
and spires of it's churches Upon an ele-
walton the Vermilion towers threw aloft
| their shrub clad walls. Not far from
there the Alhambra, that palace which
the Genii have gilded like dream, that
gigantic plaything, one Of the marvels of
human art, spread out its luxury of ara
besques. its vanished and multicolored
faiences it's verses of the Koran carved in
relief above it's thousands of colonnades it's
love knots varied in the most harmonious
fashion. To the east the Genera life ex
hibited its admirable gardens, all gush
ing with water which sprang up in jets,
fell in little cascades or seemed to sleep in
the marble basins.
Miguel and Carmen, absorbed in their
ture, which besides was familiar to them.
nor did they admire that plain of the Vega
covered with vineyards, fig trees, mulberry
trees and orange trees, vast orchard
which, beneath the blue sky of Andalusa,
produces the effect Of an immense emerald
ret in sapphire. They perceived not in the
distance the huge masses of the Sierra Ne
vada bordering the horizon, casting their
severe aspect over the splendors of the
plain and communicating a secret languor
to the soul.
The two young people finally tore them
selves from their reflections and rejoined
their families. From that day they were
happy only when together, and when they
were separated they thought and dreamed
but of each other. All that was not Car
men was Indifferent to Miguel; all that did
not concern Miguel had no interest for
Carmen.
This happiness lasted two months. An
Unforeseen catastrophe suddenly put an
end to their joys apd hopes. II reverse of
fortune fell upon the Ortega family: it
speedily found itself ruined.
Garments father would no longer hear of
his daughters union with Miguel But
the young man persisted. his courage,
energy and resolution were equal to the oc
caSiOn.
"Your father" said he to Carmen, de
clines me ~ his son-in-law because am
poor. but love you and no power on earth
can make me give you up. Since fortune
separates us | am going to BRAZIL will
| create q position for myself worthy of my
beloved, and when have it shall return
to demand your hand. Until then. Car
men, be faithful to me-"
Faithful unto deathP' answered the
young girl.
"Ren,ember your oath. That may sue
coed must he sure Of your love. Carmen,
swear to me that no man shall replace me
in your heart
j, Il swear it. You alone shall be my hus-
band-I will have no other: will wait for
you. Go without fear my Miguel; have
faith in the word of your beGrothei
> 1t was one Sunday morning at the door
of church that Miguel and Carmen ex
changed their oaths: the young man put
all his soul in the supreme embrace which
he gave his fiancee, and. while with eyes
Redeemed by tears she went in to kneel at
prayer, he fed desperately. broken hearted
and with brain on fire, toward bis fathers
: dwelling
A few days afterward he embarked at
: Cadiz on a vessel ready to set sail for South
America The Ortega family quilted Gre
8 nadia Carmen no longer heard Miguel
mentioned: no one could give her news of
him.
An old custom exists in Grenada. Every
year grand ball takes place for the bene-
> fit Of the poor. Not only do all the mem
' bers of the city's high society consider II q
: duty to be present. but also great number
e of persons of distinction come to Grenada
t on that occasion from the other towns OF
o Andalusia and even from Madrid.
i The attraction of tie fete consists in the
II right which each cavalier enjoys of solicit
}. ing of lady the honor Of dancing with
y her. He buys this privilege with sum of
!. money which is Immediately paid into tbs
treasury Of the poor. Several claimants
can contest simultaneously: veritable
!. auction is then established. and it is with
= thr II. ), and b,ghest bidder that the lad,
n is compelled to dance
y No woman CAN escape this obligation. M
! husband can prevent his wife from dancing
!, with stranger Unless he offers larger