The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-10-02
THE TANNING OF DOLORES.

cannot meet and fight with sword and
musketoon. 1t is my wife, Donna
Dolores. We have had differences. We
have had high words We have had
unseemly quarrels. She Is possessed
with a whim of returning to Mexico,
to the cities where there are siestas
gayeties and pleasing distractions.
She says San Antonio is unbearable;
it's tedium and monotony beyond en-
durance that she has no companion
ship, no amusement, no society.
Brother of God, am l her husband, not
with her? She insists that l resign my
offices and take her back! Me, Don
Domingo Ramon, officer of His Ma
jesity, Governor of this province, with
all its profitable tithes and revenues!
These she bids me to resign, because
she suffers from ennui Because l will
not do this suicidal thing, disgrace my
self. ruin my future she has shut her
self within her own apartments and
barred the door against me- She re-
fuses to see me, to have anything to
do with me- For three days now have
l been married man. but yet no hus-
band. / am scorned and Knocked in
my own house, Madre de Dios! was
ever man in such position? l fear
shall go mad with veXation. What
shall / do? l love her, / idolize her,
| and this Is how she treats me-" Here
the commandante broke down.
II have heard some gossip of this"
| interposed Padre Ignacio before Don
| Ramon could continue, but you must
| compose yourself. Nothing is to be
| gained by giving way to anger or grief.
! What pity! SO shortly married, and so
unhappy! What would you have me
! do in the matter, my SOM"
go to her. Tell her of her duty to
me, her husband. Remind her of her
broken vows. She swore to abide with
me, to love and obey me. Does not
our holy church provide punishment
for such infractions, for the sin of her
discomfort, her obstinacy, her wilfull-
ness? Humble her spirit and bring
her some sense of the wickedness of
her actions"
1T is not WELL" said the padre, "foI
even one of us to take part between
! husband and wife. In fact, | have nc
fancy to beard the lady on such ar
errand. The influence of our holy
church has it's limitations. Then
something may also be said on hei
behalf"
You give your feelings too grea'
publicity. Your young wife feels too
secure of the great love you have foI
her. You are as besieged captain pro
claiming from the wall the weak point!
Of his fortress. Were Donna Dolores
little uncertain of your love, perhap!
sha would become more amiable.
note she desired you alW ays to return
with her; an indication to me that sh
loves you well and fOresces no happi
ness without yourself as companion
On this most pardonable weakness
must we direct our forces. Can yol
ensemble? Can you put on a mask
| Can you assume Indifference? All thes
viii be necessary. All, me the heart o
| a woman Is a strange and compile
thing; but well worth winning and, be
! ing won, q jewel worth preserving.
=, As he spoke the padre leaned back an
l gaZed in silence at the ceiling. HOl
$ father, man of God, renouncer Of tn
= world! What should you know of sue
e things, of how TO win and hold tn
< love of woman? Does a memory stea
e into your mind of unfrocked day.
when, untremmeled by sacred vow:
A; bright eyes held you, soft lips allure
e you and the touch of a little whit
hand set your pulses lsaping? BewaI
n such thought, padre, they bring long
= ings and regrets. The scourge of knot
t ted cords hangs on your wall besid
r you that you may whip away from you
: flesh the evil of such retrospectiol
: Blessed st, Francis, fend off Satan!!
S Put away that dark look from yoI
d face" resumed the padre. Wear
: smile, laugh, carry with you the ev
denCc that you are contented, satisfie,
g even pleased; knock no more at door
f that are harrad to you, quit sulkng
e the shadows of your own apartment
= spend much time away from yol
r house; leave early, return late. Thel
l. is Pedro Vuavis, who lives by the VI
1. per acequia. Have you ever noticed h
# daughter Angelita?"
/, THAT / haVe. The prettiest of a
e the maids in San Antonio"
= Praise be to the saints! You st
's have eyes to see. Half the difficult
e in our way are leveled. Go to Pedro
l. house of evenings. Do not hurry
your departure. Make much Of A
d gelita. 1t should not be difficult But
y noticing a new look in Don Ramon
d, eyes, mo harm to the maid; she mu
lie not he trifled with. l will go this We
D. evening and inform her and her faith
te of our design and their part in it's a
so complis hment. Were I of the world
n would lay a wager that there will
r a quick unbarring of Donna DolorC
,e door"
Padre" said Don Ramon, as the fl
is force of this advice possessed his min
ID your wisdom should make you Bish,
IN or Cardinal. 1t is well for those
N high places that you haze no ami
h tions, / am new Don Domingo on
o, l step without your door. You ha
II. sown the seed, watch the harvestine
IN On the afternoon of the previous d
as Don Ramon had knocked on three sc
to arate occasions at his wife's door; II
r | afternoon, though he came and we
he many times, he tried the door not on
" His wife wondered not a little at tn
ne and when her attendants reported [
marked change in the bearing of [
lg master Donna Dolores knit her bro
in and spent some moments in puzzl
re thinking.
IN There was a light in Pedro VuaV
house until late that night; the sou
he OF laughter came floating out on /
he darkness; the music of a mandolin,
fresh young voice sang, and occasiC
he ally a deeper masculine tone Joined
l accompaniment. Half the night "