Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1892-01-15
the last and highest bidder that the lady

on entering that they will be compelled to
submit to it, Don Ramon Moreno was not
ignorant of this when he took his young
wife to the annual charity Iall. 1t would
have been "A great disadvantage, in truth.
had she not appeared there, so remarkable
were her grace and beauty. Nevertheless,
in her dreamy eyes one saw shade of sad
ness which accentuated still more the pal
lOr of her complexion and the delicacy of
all her person. She replied only in mono
syllables to the questions addressed to her
by her husband and with II smile of deep
melancholy to the compliments of her nu
mcrous admirers.
My love" said Ramon, Offering her his
arm to take her upon the terrace that she
might enjoy the cool evening air, "can
nothing divert you from your thoughts?"
She arose without answering, placed her
hand upon her husbands arm and was
preparing to accompany him when she was
shaken from head to foot by "A violent com
motion; her eyes, opened to their widest
extent, were fixed on stranger whom she
had not noticed until then, but whose
ardent and passionate glance had not
quilted her since her arrival ut the ball.
Her muttered she, with joy mixed with
fright. "lIel Miguelr'
And she sank down upon the chair she
had just quilted
what ails you, Garment" asked Ramon
Moreno. Are you ill?"
"Why did you deceive me2" cried the
young wife "Why did you assure me he
was dead? Oh, what you have done, Don
/ Ramon, was unworthy of an honest man
you bought my consent ut the price of
lier'
"Of what are you talking, Carmen, and
what SIGNIFIES VOur lnnuuuupY'
at signifies that did not wish to marry
you; that wished to remain faithful to
my old and sole affection. My father in
sisted that it was my duty to rcnounce it.
You know to what threats, to what prayers
he had recourse. His fortune and his hon
or were ut stake. For long while re
sisted and never would have yielded had
not he and you affirmed to me Migue's
death. Well Miguel is nos dead, since
there he stands"
And her glance shot toward the stranger
Don Ramon had no time to answer, for
Miguel had quilted his place and was nd
vancng with Il calm but resOlute air.
When he reached them he said, bowling
respectfully to Carmen:
"Madame, will you do me the honor to
dance with me?"
She grew faint and put her hand to her
izing that all eyes were fixed upon her and
feeling her husbands arm tremble, but re
solved to have an immediate explanation
with Miguel, she demanded of him accord
ing to the usage
"How much do you offerf"
"A thousand piasters," replied he.
at is l. senior, who will have the pleas
ure of dancing with my wife," replied Don
Ramon, "and | do not believe | shall pay
too much for that pleasure by giving to the
poor two thousand piastres."
"And will give ten thousandN' coldly
resumed Miguel
a sullcn rage took possession of Don
Ramon Moreno's heart.
You are making this Il personal affair
senor.'' cried he so be It'll | will give
twenty thousandr
a hundred thousandp' said the impas
sibe voice of Miguel.
The spectators could not rcpress muir
mer of appreciation. Don Ramon realized
that by pcrsisting further he would render
himself ridiculous. Besides, he was there
and would not lose sight of his adversary
What danger could there be in letting hin
dance with Carmen? 1t was upon another
field that he counted ON taking his revenge
Hence he strove to compose his features
and said in the most amable tone he coulC
assume;
"Indeed, senior, should with i'll grac,
deprive you of Il satisfaction which iiatter
, as much as it honors me. Your persistcnc,
would prove to me, were not alread.
aware of it, what value | should attach t,
the possession of Il wife whom Il cavalier 81
, perfect esteems sufficiently to pay Il hun
dred thousand piisters for the mere favo
of dancing with her!''
, Miguel drew a checkbook from hi
, pocket, filled up a check for II hundred
, thousand piastres, tore it ont and HANDED
it to one of the commissaries of the fete
then he offered his arm to Carmen.
, During this colloquy the young woman
: had not made movement. Faint, hal
dead, she nevertheless had the strength t
arise and follow her cavalier Miguel er
, circled her waist with his strong arm an
9 the waltz bore them away in its whirl
: "Ah! madame murmured the youn
man in Garments ear, mot only hundre
. thousand pirstres, but all my fortune, tn
millions | have amassed in order to la
them at your feet, my very life, whic
> henceforth has no charm for me, would
have given for this moment! Not that
now attach the slightest value to the hone
/, of dancing with you, but because want t
h tell you that despise YOU"
a "lIave mercy" whispered Carmen, who's
II heart bled beneath the insult.
:. There is no mercy for ii perjurer 70
!, promised to wait for me, to remain faithfr
to me until death. and you have broke
your oaths!
q but, Miguel, you do not know
Il know but one thing, Carmen-thi
=. you are the wife OF another and lost to m
| am devoured by jealousy and wish I
> ayenue mVselfp
Yes, you are right-avenge yourself.
l. merit death-kill me, Miguel Better d
r. than live since | have lost you VIII,
% would life be to me now that have foun
you again and cannot be yoursS For it
~ you alone Lowell My father forced me
Z. marry that man, but | have never love
- him."
h "Then let us fly togetherl'
- "Fly cannot do it. 1t would dishonc
IT meI'
d At that moment they passed before Dc
3 Ramon. The sight of the man who Ia
robbed him of his love and happiness SUI