The Newtown bee., 1899-10-20

ca to ask the hand of the young lady in marriage. But days and months passed and Carmen arrived at her 18th birthday without hearing of any mlnis. ter's signing for her affection. Gradually | she saw the numhe of her admirers di- minlsh. She even reached the point when she could be present as bull-fight without arousing the enthusiasm or even attracting the attention of single torero, Sne began to lose confidence in the eyp. sy's splendid prediction, and Ciriaca had 10 use al her elJqunnce to reassu1e her. "DO nou be ois, uroed," she would say |: ''lG IS true that at 25 the freshness of a "oman's beauty begins to decline, but what one does not obtain in early youth may yet be secured later. The one thing l neces sary IS for you to show yourse lt ae eracinus and winning as you nave been 1 hlGhe rto."
 One day Carmen, after making herself 1 specially agreeable 70 her uncle, asked \ him whether he had lately seen the count | of Altos Humos.
 II saw him several days ago." was the reply.
 | "No."
 "Oh, what an unfortunate girl I was not to marry him''
 'sLet us not speak of that unfortunate ] huhlf, uf&Su bDo CuraGo. H1 canQOt think of it without regret" l ''And did not the count make any in. quiry about me?'' asked Carmen. 1 ''None at all. You could not expect him to forget the injustice of your dis daipful refusal of his suit.'
 "Yes, it was very unjust," she admit. ted.
 You acknowledge it, thep," he asked ''and you would not refuse the hand of this noble Spaniard if he should offer i, again now?'
 "No, certainly not" she replied, ''and since you care for me so auch and are so concerned for my welfare, I wish you would have the kindness to speak to the count in my behalf, with all your tact and skill"
 How! Is it possible that you wish to ask him in marriage yourself?" demand ed the curate, in surprise.
 "No," answered Carmen, "but you could, with all delicacy and tact, try to bring the coaLt to the point of renewing hls propoasl Come. uncle, I am sure pou 0 i'd do that admirably" | ''Ou, these women would persuade a saint to sin," groaned the curate in de- spair. "Well, niece, will go and see the count, and invent some pretext for speaking to him adroitly about you then we will see what will come of it."
 On the following morning he betook himself. in accordance with bis promise, l to the house of the count of Altos Humos. ''Ab," cried the latter in greeting "how l glad l am to see you! I have just bought s statuet of the infant Jesus, and I should like to have your opinion of it,"
 II am delighted at the opportunity of examining it," returned the otLer. "You know that we churchmen are connois- seurs in such matters"
 The good man hereupon delivered a formal eulogy. on the exec Hence of the piece of sculpture, which really was a work of merit, and at the same time sought an opportunity to speak about 1 Carmen-which, however, did not seem to be very easy thing to accomplish.
 "Now that you are here" urged the host at length, "you must stay 10 lunch. ''
 That would give ne great pleasure,' D | r9plied his guest, "and should esteem it an honor to do go; but nay niece has very regular habits, and is especially par .i- calar about my being on time at meals, | tyranny. knowing that " omen who, like Carmen. rule their households wisely and 1 graci0usly, are bf coming rare. The count listened gravely to this un- expected encomium Of Carmen; then re- suming his customary ease of mannt r. he said, with smile:-
 "Yes, certair lg, Carmen is an admir- able young lady"
 "Thank yeu," cried the curate, en- ehanted with the success of his little maneuver. ssI can assur3 you that my uiece only asks an oppol runity to show l you her gratitude fir the good opinion you have of her." @.. - .. : Very we'll, then" r i 1ined the count, II am going to abuse her kindness"
 "Abuse, count? Can you even think 1 it will be an abuss?''
 ,'sI should like to have your dear Car men, who has such skill, and taste, kin6l make me robe for my infant Jssus." l with the greatest pleasure,a exclaim. ed the eurate. My niece is res fly very akilful, above all in things of that sort, and she will be most happy to perform the task which you intrust to her" The good man returned home, well pleased with the success of bis dipIo- macy. # n very happy at being able to report tu his niece that the count did not hs roor any i'll will against her, since he asked favor at her hands.
 Victory P he scfied on entering. ssVictory ]! my diplomacy has succeeded. ;
 shas he renewed his offer of mar- ria ge?" asked the niece.
 No, my dear,n replied the uncle. "but that wilt come, that will come. For the present he asks you to make robe for his image of the infant Jesus.''
 ssThe impudent manl'' cried Carmen, turning pale with anger. s.To ask me to dress his statues for him!" . V.
 At the age of 26 Carmen was still un- married. No prince came to ask her