Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1897-11-01

poisons upon dogs and cats. A third par
ty said he had become a vegetarian and
passed his life in weighing up the precise
amount of food which he considered neces
sary for his next meal, But they were all
wrong, and at length their statements
were confuted by letter which arrived
from Demctcr Nv, addressed to his father.
1t should he mentioned, by the way,
that the beautiful Angelica had indeed
died within the twclycmonth. On the oc-
casion Of ball Demeter III was so drunk
that he pointed a gun at his wife because
she was chatting too merrily with good
looking young officer She thereupon fed
from the ballroom in terror, rushed out
into the cold night air in her muslin dress
and satin slippers, took chill and shortly
died therefrom. But she had attained her
ambition, and if she had married the
younger Demeter she might perhaps still
have been alive. AS Mrs Demeter ~ she
would not have been lying in such beau
tiful velvet covered and gilded coffin nor
have been drawn to her vault by five such
beautiful Arab steeds.
From the younger Demeter's letter to
his father it appeared that he had been so
far successful in forgetting Angelica that
he was about to marry another girl.
Years had already passed. The elder
Demeter was 81 years old, while his son
was still only 81. Thus the latter was
now in position to write to his father in
these terms:
My DEAR FATHER-l again intend to marry,
and have discovered the most beautiful girl
imaginable for my wife. l want you to be pres
ent at the ceremony. This time am not afraid
that you will carry off my bride, for ten years
have elapsed, and you have now lost your
power of fascination. Ten years ago l was u
mere child and you were man. Today l
am a man and you are getting well on into
childhood. Besides, my fancee loves me with
profound devotion. Therefore if you wish me
happiness come at once to my approaching
wedding. DEMETER.
These words infamed Demeter III. His
pride was wounded. A wicked desire took
possession of him.
"What sort of girl is this your master
intends to marry?' he inquired of the
valet who had brought the letter
"a most lovely creature, sir, was the
reply.
SIS she young?"
Still almost child. ="
"Do they love each otherg"
Like pair OF doves.
"Well go back and tell my son that
shall be present at his wedding.
Demeter III lost not moment, but
travelled posthastc. Reaching Lemberg,
he there happened to meet his son. coach
man.
"What are you doing here, Dlmltru?'
he inquired.
The servant stammered and showed that
he would like to lie, but handful OF gold,
promptly administered, induced him to
tell the truth. He said that his master
got quite alarmed on hearing that the ia
ther did not mind taking the trouble OF
journeying to Podolia, and he had there
fore arranged that the wedding should
take place two days earlier, sending his
coachman to Lemberg to buy certain Hun
garian commodities for the marriage feast
Demeter LII lcaped upon a swift horse,
for his carriage was not quick enough and
galloped furiously toward Podolla Two
horses fell beneath him. and he arrived at
the church just as the marriage was about
to be solemnized. lie dislnounted, and
the ceremony was Interrupted In order
that father and son might greet each 9th
er, while the bride remained near the
altar. She was covered with a thick veil
which completely hid her features. Deme-
ter Ill looked with proud contempt upon
his son, whose face was sunk with lin
gering ailment and from whose color 1t
could be seen how many months he had
to live, whereas he, the father, was still
vigorous and robust Demeter Nv threw
an imploring glance at his paternal rcla-
tive, who simply received 1t with a smile
and then walked up to the waiting bride
and whispered in her ear:
Beautiful woman, am Demeter Mar
koff III, while that man is my son. His
hands tremble, mine are steady; his are
empty, mine are full of gold. Compare us
together and choose which you will prefer
to lead you to the altar.
Didora-such was the lady's name
made her decision with very little hesita-
ton, and it was the father whom she al
lowed to take her to the altar and make
her his wife. She swore to him eternal
devotion. Demeter iii was radiant with
victory and glanced round the church to
see what had become of his son. The lat
ter was standing with his back against a
pillar, watching the ceremony from thence.
SION