Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-03-16
GAR M z N .

Carmen was sixteen. Everything
about her was seductive, of penetrat-
ing charm and enchanting grace. Her
sweet, youthful visage, of an alabaster
white, slightly tinted with pink, bore
the imprint of rare distinction, large
black eyes, shaded by long lashes, give
her at times a 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 fine
ly turned ankles, which more than one
aristocratic 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
leaning In stature slightly above the
medium, admirably proportioned, of
lofty bearing, with bright eyes and in
telligent forehead, he seemed born to
protect the noble young girl.
They were slowly walking along a
path bordered by orange trees and myr-
ties forming terrace above the DuerO,
the waters of which flowed between
thickly shaded banks through the val
ley of Paradise.
1t was the anniversary of Carmen's
birth. On this occasion Don Luis Ayelo,
her father, had invited few friends to
spend the afternoon at the country res
idence he owned at the gates of Gren-
ada. In the first rank of these friends
was the Ortega family of which Miguel
was the eldest son.
Miguel and Carmen had grown up
together. An invincible penchant had
drawn one toward the other. For a
long while a brotherly and sisterly af
fection had subsisted between them
then without their knowledge this af
fection had been transformed into g
deep and passionate love, but they haG
not as vet mutually confessed it.
OF what were they talking? Of 6
! thousand insignificant things which
delighted them. Their glances were
full of tenderness, and they bent with
confidence one toward the other.
The young Spaniard experienced fo1
the first time the vOluptuOus thrill i'm
parted by the arm or hand of the be
loved woman and when his curly locks
touched Garments forehead he felt il
all his being an inexplicable but deli
cious faintness. His voice, which haC
grown softer and more penetrating, de
liciously agitated the young girl''
heart. In her also the flower of love
was blooming and its perfume intoxi
Gated her. A strange sensation, who'll!
new, gradually invaded her; she clune
more closely to the arm of her child
hoods friend.
With sudden spring their lips met
they both uttered the same exclama
ton; this first avowal and this first kis
sealed their betrothal.
Happy and blushing, Carmen, as il
to regain. possession of herself, led Mi
guel to the edge of the terrace, where
they gave themselves up to vague con
temptation.
1t would be difficult to find more
marvellous landscape than that which
at that moment the fast setting SUI
empurpled throughout it's entire ex
tent. Lying lazily against its two hill
Grenada opened like the fruit the name
which it bears, displaying its house, it
palaces, the cupolas and spires of it
churches. Upon an elevation the Yer
million towers threw aloft their shrul
clad walls. Not far from there tn,
Alhambra, that palace which the Geni
have gilded like dream, that gigan
-. tic plaything, one of the marvels of tn
human art, spread out its luxury O
arabesques, its vanished and multi