Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1893-10-17
CARMEN.

Iui vlsage, OF an alabaster white, slight
!. tinted with pink, bore the imprint OF ra
distinction, large black eyes, shaded
long lashes. gave her at times a grave n
which was quickly dissipated by the smi
upon her lips. A corsage garnished vii
Jet usually decked her shapely bust; h
short skirt revealed tiny feet with fine
turned ankles, which more than one artist
cratic senorita envied her. Her voice ha
Z a melody Of exquisite purity. She san
and danced ravishingiy
Not less handsome was Miguel, th
youth upon whose arm Carmen was lear
ing. In stature slightly above the medium
admirably proportioned Of lofty bearing
with bright eyes and intelligent forehead
he seemed born TO protect the noble youn,
girl
They were slowly walking along patti
bordered by orange trees and myrtle
forming terrace above the Duero, tn
waters of which flowed between thickl,
shaded banks through the valley Of Para
disc
II 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 al
the gates OF Grenada In the first rank 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 long while a
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 as yet mutually confessed it.
VI what were they taikings OF a thou
sand insignificant things which delighted
them. Their giances 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 Carmen s
forehead he felt in all his being an mex
plicable but delicious faintness His voice
which had grown softer and more peue.
trating, deliciousiy agtated 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 to the arm Of her childhood's friend
With sudden spring their lips met, they
both uttered the same exclamation: this
first avowas and this first kiss sealed their
betrothai
Happy and blnshing, 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
vicious landscape than that which at that
moment the fast setting sun empurpled
throughout its entire extent. Lying azily
against its two hills Grenada opened like
the fruit the name Of which it bears, dis
playing Its houses, its palaces, the cupolas
and spires of its 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 plnytbing, one Of the marvels OF
human art, spread out its luxury of ara
besques, its vanished and multicolored
iaiehces, its verses OF the Koran carved in
reiief 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 sprang up In Jets,
fell In little cascades or seemed To slean In
the marble basins
Miguel and Carmen, absorbed in their
thoughts, saw nothing of this splendid pic
ture, which besides was familiar To then,
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 III sapphire. They perceived not in the |
Instance the huge masses Of the Sierra Ne |
Nada bordering the horizon casting their |
severe aspect over the splendors of the |
pihin ana communicating u secret languor
to the soul
ihe Two young people finally tore them
selves from their reflections and reioinel /
their families. From that day they were
happy only when together, and when they
were separated they thought and dreamed
out OF each other All that WIS not Car
men WAS Indifferent to Miguel; all that did
not concern Miguel had no interest for
Carmen.
ms happiness lasted two months. An
unforeseen catastrophe suddenly put AN
END 10 their joys and hopes; II reverse of
or'uhe leil upon the Ortegn family: II
speedily found itself ruined
Carmeu's father would no longer bear M
ais daughters union with Miguel But
he young man persisted, his courage
'nergy and resolution were equal to the oc
,ason
Your father, said he to Carmen. ode
lines me as his soniD.law because am
'oor but love you and no power on earth
AN make me give you up. Since fortune
separates ns am going to Brazil; will |
reate a position for myself worthy of my
'eioved, aud when ] have it shall return
o demand your hand Until then. Car
men. be faithful to me-"
Faithful unto deathT answered, the
Dung girl
Remember your oath. That may sue
eed must be sure OF your love Carmen
wear to me that no man shall replace me d
a your heart"
Il swear IL, You alone shall be my hus
and viii have no other, | will wait for | $
GU; TO without fear. my Miguel, have
alth in the word Of your betrothed."
~ was one Sunday morning at the door =
I church that Miguel and Carmen ex e
hanged their otths, the young man pt,t t
u his soul IN the supreme embrace which
Q gave his tancee. and, while with eyes
eddened by tears she went in to kneei Al n
rayer, he lied desperately. broken hearted
nd with brain Gu fire. toward his fathers
yelling.
A Few days afterward he embarked M
auiz on vessel ready to set sail for South o
inericA The ortega family quilted Gre g
sda Carmen 40 longer heard Miguel u
entiohed' no one could give her news of s.
IN. n
An ola custom exists in Grenada Every d
ar a grand ball takes place for the bene p
OF the poor, Not only do all the mem II
RS OF the city's high society consider IL n II
Ivy To DE present, but also a great number p
persons OF distinction come to Grenada j.
mat occasion from the other towns OF n
ldslusia and even from Madrid. ia
Il he a RAJ ins, Of o. -. -. N