Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-03-23
DAWN OF THE
AGE OF LOVE.
BY CoRDAY.

Wdlu thO Noutulul DGlllSS-ulA
Jaime and his pupil, Marcel Jacquemin.
She was still but a young girl, in all the
budding grace and fairness of her 10
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 boys
talent and persuaded him to study art.
Jaime and Marcel loved each other
with youthful fervor and absolute ten
derness, which was both ardent and de
lightful, but where desire did not enter.
A project was thus awakened in the
fathers heart and SO forcibly impressed
itself on his mind that it speedily became
a 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
trembled at the thought that he might
not live to execute his unique idea 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 un-
Ion had he not been menaced by this
frightful fear. The grim monster of
death could then assail him, and he
should disappear with the certainty Of
having left happiness behind him.
Milate accordingly revealed his plan to
the three persons that he so tenderly
cherished. At first they revolted at the
thought of there being any necessity to
take such a hasty step. But Nine. 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
and endurance to the utmost limit, he
died eight days after the date of the un'
ion he had effected.
After the first pangs Of her sorrow had
been allayed Nine. 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
all 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 1T 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 coniding her anx-
ieties to him. She could question him as
to his opinions on this serious subject. II
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
broaching the subject to her son-in-law.
Thus she waited, looking to and yet fear
full 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 su-
premely 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 vigilant. Then, when evening cam
and at about II 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 so strong a
in the future that words seem.
ed useless, while Nine. Milate would 81.
lently long that it might thus be indef.
nitely p%rotracted.
A year passed in this way, and then a
difference became apparent to the moth.
er, a difference which gave her an uncer.
tain tranquility. Jaime and Marcel were
verging into maturity. One day, when
returning to the studio after a brief alb
sence, she surprised them in each others
arms, with their lips pressed closely to.
gether. She then realized that the de-
nouement was near at hand. The uninter-
surveillance fatigued her and,
moreover, now seemed out Of place.
Should she simply close her eyes, she
unused, but In that case some dissimula-
ton would be necessary. She would have
to ignore the truth, and in that way her
Misrepresentation might be prolonged.
Then followed a time when she longsd
the young people might take the ini-
themselves. Her unuttered pray
er wal hearkened to, for on a winters
night, when a snowstorm was raging fu.
without, Jaime took compassion
upon poor Marcel, who was lamentably
preparing to depart. She opened the
sash, then quickly closed it and MUIR
ut Is too cold for you to leave tonight"
Thus it was that Jaime and Marcel
had attained the age to love.-Translated
From the French in Cincinnati Enquirer.