The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1900-04-14
SPANISH LOVE
ISTENi

i. 1 stand here holding my very
breath as that sweet, wild strain floats
out to me.
1t is the same maddening waltz
picked on guitar accompanied by the
tinkling of . mandolin that we waltzed
to on those happy nights of the past.
The music of the guitar brings it all
back to me with sudden rush OF bit
berness.
One year ago tonight he and ]
waltzed together for the last time.
1t was glorious night, with full
southern moon hanging high in the
far away sky. The flowers sent up
hundred sweet odcrs from their dewy
petals, seeming to invite us to ram
BILE among them. Thelow sighings of
guitar were waited to us on the balmy
breezes, and he told me again the same
story had listened to SO often, yet it
became sweeter at each telling, as we
glided through that may dance.
The hot blood surges through my
veins and seem to hear once more his
tender voice and feel the hot breath
tanning my face as he tells his love so
low and appealing. No one can under
stand my feelings ;as we drifted on
through that soothing yet maddening
waltz in the silvery, tempting light OF
the moon.
i loved him when first saw him
there among the roses. He was so diff
ferent from our men; so young, boyish
and handsome. He was a rich young
Englishman, and feared that he would
not love me, only a little Spanish girl,
but my deep love was drawing him on,
and some day hoped that he would be
mine.
A year ago tonight we were at a
ball, and after the first delicious waltz
he left me, saying that he would come
back soon, and when he did return a
woman was leaning on his arm. She
was of the delicate type of English girl.
with languid blue eyes, brownish gold
hair and perfect complexion Thought
her lovely, but SO cold. no emotion
whatever, even while leaning on him.
How glad 1 am that / can feel,
even if it be only pain!
He introduced her to me as friend
who happened to stop over in her trav-
els, and wandered aimlessly around.
leaving him to enjoy his friends COM
pany.
Finally 1 stepped behind some large
palms which formed screen, and sat
thinking of him. / was SO happy and
trusting in the security of his love.
Suddenly 1 heard some one talking on
the other side of the palms, and hear
ing my own name listened. How can
Ibelieve what hear. :.
Eyes, my love, these Spanish girls
are fine to flirt with. They can love
with an intensity that would set some
men on fire, and admit that 1 have
quite enjoyed it all, but you know,
my darling, that l am true to you deep
down in my heart, and / should have
forgotten how to make love without
some one to practice with, and she was
the prettiest of the lot. You must not
be jealous"
mo, Frederick, 1 am not jealous. 1t
is not that, but she loves you and it is
wicked of you to fiirt with her. Every
fash Of the glorious eyes and every
smile of the crimson lips are for you
Here is a deep passion that she cannot
overcome easily"
Oh. if she could only have known
how easily had overcome it. How
easy he had made it for me!
The hot southern blood that rushes
through my veins is even now burning
with as intense hatred as with love an
hour ago. As 1 stand there watching
and listening, no one knows the pain
that is tearing in my heart. Involun-
tarf1y clutch the tiny dagger that is
concealed in my dress. Oh, how quick
ly my love had been killed!
They move away and begin the dance
the dance that should have been
mine. / sfiT crouch behind the palms,
my mind IN such tnmult scarcely
know what am doing.
She is gone now; gone with his kiss
upon her lips. / saw them as he told
her "An revoir~ on the other side of
those same palms. He is looking and
inquiring for me. / hear him say
must have gone home. know where
he will go to find me-
Slipping from my hiding place, ] run
swiftly yet silently on to our trysting
place. Ny guitar, the one he gave me,
lies on a rustic seat; pick it up, and
my purpose grows stronger. Hearing
q footstep. look up and see him COM
ing toward me with outstretched hands
and smiling face
"Ah. Zaxella, my queen, why did
you"
"Hush!" 1 cry; 1how dare you say
that to me after all saw, all heard,
tonight? You start back, you wonder?
Do you think am going to let you live
70 love her ywhile am forsalen Q