El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-12-01
DAWN OF THE
AGE OF LOVE.
BY MICHAEL COROAY.

The celebrated painter Milate during
his last days looked with fondness to-
ward two youthful beings-his daughter
Jaime and his pupil, Marcel Jacquemin.
She was still but young girl, in all the
budding grace and fairness of her Is
summers. Marcel had attained his eight
zenith year, an orphan, whom chance had
thrown in Milate's path, and the latter
had been instantly struck by the boy 8
talent and persuaded him to study art.
famine and Marcel loved each other
with youthful fervor and absolute ten
derness, which was both ardent and de
ightful, but where desire did not enter
project was thus awakened in the
fathers heart and SO forcibly impressed
itself on his mind that it speedily became
q species of consolation for all the agony
that he was compelled to endure. He
wished Marcel and Jaime to marry, he
desired to unite the child of his flesh to
the one of his intellect and thereby to be
revivifed in them, and he passionately
longed for the realization of his desires.
He felt that his days were numbered,
inasmuch as the crisis in his illness was
fast approaching, the attacks were more
frequent and of greater duration, and he
trembIed at the thought that he might
not live to execute his unique ideat and
desire. Then his morbid condition came
to his aid and suggested the following
stratagem: Marcel and Jaime had at
tanned the age when the law would per-
NIT them to marry even if nature and
reason had not yet sufficiently matured
them, and they could therefore be united
by the sacred rites of the church, and
yet their positions could remain unchang-
ed until the time when they all would
have considered it propitious for the I'M
ion had he not been menaced by this
frightfui fear The grim monster of
death could then assail him, and he
should disappear with the certainty Of
having left happiness behind him.
Miiate accordingly revealed his plan to
the three persons that he so tenderly
cherished. At first they revolted at tie
thought of there being any necessity to
take such a hasty step. But Mime. Mi
late invariably bent to her husbands
will, and the youthful couple were sway
ed equally by anxiety and delight. The
double ceremony of church and state was
therefore quietly performed, and the
painter assisted, although in great agony.
Then, as if he had strained his powers
died eight days after the date of the I'M
ION he had effected
After the first pangs of her sorrow had
been allayed Mime. Milate was troubled
as to how and when she should authorize
the young people to begin their new life.
What moment or day would be the
suspicious one?" she unused, and how
might she make it clear to them? Mar
riAge regulated and foresaw SO much, but
this was an exceptional case, and she
keenly felt the responsibility Of her posi-
ton
She consulted those who had been her
husbands most trustworthy friends, hop
ing thus to come to a wise decision. But
some, austere in their judgment. spoke of
the young couple waiting still for the sue
ceeding ten years. Others consented to
reducing the period to. seven, five or
three, as if it were a question of military
service. Some who thought but of senti-
ment urged the speedy union, and they
cited Daphne and Chloe as examples.
There were still more who affirmed that
an depended on their dispositions. The
friends who had fondly dreamed Of their
son marrying Jaime Milate were slyly
revengeful and said, "Your daughter is
20 delicate" or cit is running a great
risk" After these various consultations
the painters widow was more undecided
than before.
Then her thoughts reverted to Marcel,
and she reflected as to confiding her anx-
ieties to him. She could question him as
to his opinions on this serious subject. If
they were reasonable and worthy of ap-
probation. she could intrust the future to
him. She could enter into a sort of COM
pact with him that he would undertake |
to execute. He could swear, and she |
would thus be relieved of all surveillance |
and concern. However, she was ever dis |
mayed over the abnormal character of |
the situation and fearful of openly |
preaching the subject to her son-in-law.
Thus she waited, looking to and yet fear
fui of what chance might offer and long
ing for some sudden inspiration that |
would be advantageous to her children |
and at the same time make all raillery |
impossible.
Marcel and Jaime meanwhile were SUI
premeIy happy. The young painter used |
the easel and brushes of his master and |
worked in Janine's presence, while she |
would occupy herself with some embroid- |
cry Their repaStS and promenadeS were |
always taken in each others society, with |
Nine Milate ever near at hand, discreet, |
but vigiIant. Then. when evening came
and at about IL o'clock, Marcel would
regain the little room on an adjoining
street which he had occupied since his
marriage.
And thus their existence passed fraught
With infinite happiness and strong a
confidence in the future that words SEEM
I'd useless, while Nine. Milate would ST.
emily long that it might thus be indef-
litely protracted.
A year passed in this way, and then a
Inference became apparent to the moth
r, difference which gave her an uncer- |
ain tranquility. Jaime and Marcel were
'erging into maturity. One day, when
to the studio after a brief abb
ence. she surprised them in each others
inns, with their lips pressed closely to-
ether. She then realized that the de-
ouement was near at hand. The uninter-
upted surveillance fatigued her and.
moreover, now seemed out Of place.
'houid she simply close her eyes, she
nused, but in that case some dissimula-
ion would be necessary. She would have
D ignore the truth, and in that way her
,isa pprehension might be prolonged.
hen followed a time when she longed