Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-05-19


tinted with pink, bore the imprint of rare
distinctions; large black eyes, shaded by
long lashes, gave her mt times grave air,
which was quickly dissipated by the smile
upon her lips A corsage garnished with
jet usually decked her shapcly bust; her
short skirt revealed tiny feet with finely
turned ankles, which more than one aristo
cratic senorita 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 bearing,
with bright eyes and intelligent forehead,
he seemed born to protect the noble young
girl
They were slowly walking along path
bordered by orange trees and myrtlcs
forming terrace above the Duero, the
waters of which flowed between thiclsly
shaded banks through the valley of Para
disc
1t was the anniversary of Garments birth;
on this occasion Don Luis Ayelo, her father,
had invited few friends tospend 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
Que toward the other For II long while
brotherly and sisterly affection had sub
sisted between them; then, without their
knowledge, this affection had been trans
formed into deep and passionate love, but
they had not rs yet mutually confessed it,
OF what were they talking? OF thou
sand insignificant things which delighted
them. Their glances 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 hand of the beloved woman,
and when his curly locks touched Garments
forehead he felt in all his being an mex
plicable but delicious faintness. His voice,
which had grown softer and more pene-
trating, deliciously agitated the young
girls heart In her also the flower Of love
was blooming and its perfume intoxicated
her A strange sensation, wholly new,
gradually invaded her; she chung more
closely tothe arm of her chldhood's friend.
With 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.
II 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
against its two hills Grenada opened like
the fruit the mime of which il bears, dis
playing its houses, its palaces, the cupolas
and spires OF its churches. Upon an ele-
walton the Vermiion towers threw aloft
their shrub clad walls. Not far from
there the Alhambra, that palace which
the Genii have gilded like dream, that
gigantic piaything, one Of the marveis of
human art, spread out its luxury of ara
besques, its vanished and multicolored
faiences, its verses Of the Koran carved in
relief above its thousands of colonnades, its
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 sprIng up in jets,
fell in little cascades or seemed to sleep in
the marble basins
Miguel and Carmen, absorbed in their
thoughts, saw nothing of this splendid pic
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, a vast orchard
which, beneath the blue sky Of Andalusia,
produces the effect OF an immense emerald
set 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
.laft,
to the soul.
The two young people finally tore them.
selves from their reflections and reioined
their families. From that day they were
happy only when together, and when they
were separated they thought and dreamed
but Of each other. An that was not Car
men was indifferent to Miguel all that did
not concern Miguel had no interest fot
Carmen.
This happiness lasted two months An
Unforeseen catastrophe suddenly put an
end to their joys and hopes; reverse of
fortune fell upon the 0rtega family. il
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 as 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 a position for myself worthy Of my
beloved, and when | have it | shall return
to demand your hand. Until then, Car
men, be iaithfulto me"
Faithful unto deathw answered the
young girl.
Remember your oath That may sue
coed must be sure OF your love. Carmen,
swear to me that no man shall replace me
in your heart"
~ swear it. You alone shall be my hus-
band-l will have no other; | will wait for
you. Go without fear, my Miguel have
faith in the word Of your betrothed."
1t was one Sunday morning at the door
Of church that Miguel and Carmen ex-
changed their oaths; the young man put
4.