Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-04-04
The SPANISH CASTLE. :
: BY NJ. CORBET SEYMOUR.
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Don Giovanni D'Aquila, the ownc.
Of this mountain stronghold. was one
Of the most renowned warriors even
in SPANS most chivalrous days. It is
said that he was utterly without fear,
with the mind and habits of a war
I'ior; and yet beneath that breast
plate there beat a kindly hcart--a
heart whose tenderness of affection
went out to his only and motherless
child, Cinevra.
This maiden was renowned for her
beauty. Minstrels sang of her, and
wandering knights and princely cour-
tiers came to the castle merely in
thc hope of catching a glimpse of her
sweet face. We hear that he who saw
Gineyra D'Aquila could never forget
her. go where he might. And yet she
was blind, Darkness had fallen upon
her from birth, and those lovely eyes
which looked so luminous had never
behcld the light of the sun.
For this reason, then, the warm
heart Of the soldier chung more close
" 10 his child than does the heart OF
fathers to children who are not af
fictod by great calamity.
There dwelt in peasants hut quite
near to that lordly castle an old and
time-tried soldier named Juan NelaS-
ouez. for whom D'AQuila entertained
strong regard. This man had a son
who happened to be born on the same
night and at the same hour as Gil
nevra. The bell in the great tower
of the castle struck 10 as the son Of
the peasant soldier and the daughter
of the warrior lord came into the
world.
As soon as he was old enough the
boy was received as a page at the
castle. and he was permitted to lead
/ Ginevra wheresoever her fancy
prompted her to wander.
NO harm will come to her." would
her father cry, supposing the little
GIRL were missing for a while. 81
would wager my right hand that
Juan would not hesitate to cast him
self from the highest cliff in the
mountains, if by that means he could
save her from any danger. y devoted
lad that-just the loyal and dauntless
nature Of the old Juan, his father
Linked together, so to say, from
the cradle. the difference in their sta
tions was forgotten by girl and boy.
They considered themselves not as
page and mistress, but as playmatcs
and friends.
Though l cannot see you, dear
Guan." would Ginevra say, 81 am sure
Won must be very handsome"
'Oh. Ginevra," the boy always an
svered. what would I not do, what
would I not suffer, if you could but
be made to see"
Then the blind girl would speak
words of consolation, saying that
while he was there to watch over and
protect her she could be happy, even
although deprived of seeing Gods
beautiful world.
But a cloud was destined to darken
the brightness of their happy days to-
gether.
One morning the young Juan, hap
pening to pass through the great
hall on his way to join Ginevra in
the gardens of the castle, overheard
conversation which filled his heart
with grief. Don Giovanni D'Aquila
standing amidst a throng of cour-
tiers. exclaimed, just as the young
&c a hCOlnfpl
i useless to press your petitions upon
me now. My decision is unalterable
and / can only repeat it. One yeaI
zone from tomorrow will be the six
teenth birthday of my daughter
When that day comes l will bestoW
her hand upon him who can offer hel
the greatest gift. This 1 promise as
an honorable man and a soldier"
- Juan flew to the gardens where I'll
, nevra awaited him, and casting him
S self on his knees by her side, begaI
:, to shed tears.
y "Gineyra! Ginevra." he cried, "thc!
are going to take you from me-"
NO. no. Juan" she murmured
{ .What strange fancy has possessed
you?"
- Then the youth repeated the word
Il he had Just overheard.
!, For a few minutes there was 81
lence. Then Ginevra exclaimed
"Have you no gift you could otfe
" me in a year and day?"
e L am poor" cried Juan, land
= have nothing in the world 20 ole
you save the devotion in my hear
And that is no new gift; it has bee
yours since we were infants togethe
e. Yet stay" he added, surely ha'
E heard holy words spoken no late
than Yesterday in the castle chape
- whatsoever we shall ask the Fatht
o. in Nv name, He shall give YOU l.
Sc YOU not remember it, Ginevra?"
He had risen from the ground an
stood erect, his face revealing bot
IS bope and courage. "Ginevra, ! mu
IL. 20 away" he said, with firmness.
in "No. no, Juan. You must new
leave me. Who would lead me safe
down the rocky pathway? w
r. would guide me to the forest 10
~, so vel? Rather death than separ
ton from you"
- 81 must CO." repeated Juan. ~
III. not for very long. Relying on tn
Ia divine promise, whatsoever we sh,
'a' ask of the Father in My name, l
will give YOU 1 shall go forth to ga
for you the greatest of all earth
R gifts, and in one year from to-mo
row / will return and claim y0
- hand of your noble father. NO primo
" Nv cavalier can give you great
Id treasure than L shall seek, and Sc
5I from God. If during my absence
,,o,,,.a Won feel lonely end. represse