The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-07-13
respond vi'hou, their letters being inter



DEFIED HER FATHER.
Carmen had learned more than the
English language loo America. she hat
learned that girls refuse 90 marry the
suitor of their parents choice. Pleading
and threats alike failed 90 gain her cone
sent 90 marry Senior Bracimonte Her re-
fusais only made that gentleman more
determined t0 win her. Carmen heard
constantly rom Escalon. ana a. long as
he was faithful she resolved never io
marry another. iler girls friends in santa
Ana wondered 40 her courage ~ daring 90
defy parental wishes. Their elders shook
their heads knowingly and talked OF tne
fooIshness of educating girls abroad.
Senior Rodriguez at last lost an pa
tiouce. The feast Of Semana santa was
close at hand. Carmen was GO be the CEN
tral nEure " q noat.
AFTER The fiesta you shall marry bracl-
monte declared her father.
So they worked for days and days on
beautiful white gown of shccrest linen
and finest iace. which was t0 hc her hes'o
ana wedding gown. Carmen had at last
given her consent. ON the last day of
Semana Santa from her seat IN the hoat
Carmen smiled a the people ana caught
Carmen c.utCh.ug her white gown. fcii
head foremost. StIll unconscious tney car
Red her TO her home, where she iay Tor
days TO weak 90 move or speak.
The native doctor was nnally abandon
cd tor an American physician. Carmen
made a confident % HIM For days be-
fore Semans santa she had purposeiy
eaten scarcely enough tO keep bird
alive. She had tainted from sheer hum
ger. and since then had refused the nour-
i-hment that would bring back strength.
IL was the only plan tha. she could mink
of chat would save her from the hale'ui
marriage.
The doctor promised 20 heip her. tie
told her parents That 81 they wished I'D
preserve the daughters life they must &C.
fer her wedding for % year and give her
change Of climate. Carmen was sent %
san Salvador. and $40 precautions were
taken 90 prevent, her escaping TO san
Francisco.
AZ length CaTnon's wedding DAY ap-
preached again During the ast year she
had been d1ci'o and apparently ohedlenL
and her father and Bnoim'uie Thought
that she had forgotten Esc7I0n. 10 WIS
now 1870 Years since she had seen MN.
Her wedding 10 the wealthy uuquero was
to be celebrated with great pomp ana cer-
emony in Santa Ana.
JUST what plan Carmen bad inis time m
save herself i4 nor known She wrote %
would not only escape the marriage. hnt
would soon Doc with him in san Francisco.
Then came tragedy. ihlt while Do
thWartcd her plans. prevented the we'd
dins.
TRAGEDY AND REVOLUTION.
In a. wcok the bridal party was fo ieaye
San salvador for Santa Ana. Early oue
morning the city was shaken a. thlu
by terrific earthquake. -Four cHri.n.If
OF gunpOWdor drawn Dy mules 1nd e--
cortcd ny soldiers, were iolun- doou ide
Gale Conception for the military unf-
racks of Casa Mata. How 10 happened n'
one ever knew. But the powder exploded.
shatterGg the houses on both sides Hi
the street. killing Two hundred people 1ni-
D ghr aud iniurus as many otner-. Am
the wounded was Eduardo brl'.nDntc.
Carmen Rodriguez worked um4u. th'
dead and dying irom morning ultI night
10 WAS not considered the proper thing iur
a girl ion her station off liio FOO $50 far t)r-
get her caste. But there was uJ Nort
too painful for her willing hands. During
al those days of suffering and agony slc
succ0red the wounded. she soOtnod the
dying.
This was the time when she might have
escaped 10 her lover waiting il san iran
cisco. But she crushed love prompting
and became the handmaden of stern
duty. Among those whom She nursod back
90 life was Eduardo Bracim0nte. \ year
passed before Bracim0nte was able 10
leave the hospital
Each steamer brought letters from rs
Gallon 20 Carmen. lie was growing tired
OF waiting and he declared he was goinS
10 brave death and venture % return 10
Salvador I'm hopes OF carrying her on u
san Francisco. Carmen plead with him
tO bc patient a little longer. True. Bracl-
monte was now we'll and urging immedi-
ate marriage. but she would manage to
pat it of. There was another revolution
ln the air. and times We're dangerous. "
President Gutierrez should be deposed
Escalon could then safely come to Saliva
dor and claim her as his bride. So she
babe him wait.
Then the promised revolution began 10
gather force Regulates. The rebel leader.
united his forces, ant prepared to measure