Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-10-30

Pelleas ct Mellisande.
He was known as the mad English
man, simply because he chose to be
alone and did not give fetes in the
beautiful hacienda among the orange
and magnolia trees. The family on
the adjoining estate consisted only of
mother and daughter; the mother,
fat, indolent woman, yet still bearing
traces of former beauty; the daughter
a small delicate thing, vastly different
from the ordinary girls of the place.
She, too, was reckoned as mad" be-
cause she preferred to rest quietly on
the shaded logia with book, to going
TO balls and fertulias. 1t was strange
mixture of the Spanish fire and the
northern ice,-her nature.
Even as her features were distinct
ly northern in type, an inheritance
from her father, yet her hair, black,
long and glossy, was pure Spanish
that blue-black tint is seldom seen
among the northern races. From
&iCl lolhOl, wv oAS us-u lhlcIAl6u HGI
eyes, deep blue like the sky at night,
and shaded by long lashes as black
as her hair. He died early, the father;
and the mother, capable and shrewd
for all her indolent manner, car
ried on the estate work against the
time of her daughters marriage, as
she constantly told her.
The friendship of the grave Eng
lishman for the delicate girl was of
many years growth, dating from the
time he had caught her robbing an
orange tree,-not that she lacked
oranges. but because she knew she
had no business outside her own do
mains. She had been dreadfully scared
until she had looked up as he lifted
her out of the tree crotch, where her
skirts had caught and held her
prisoner, and saw the smile in the sad
brown eyes and twitching at the cor
ners of the gray-bearded mouth. Then
had followed a happy hour when she
listened to such wonderful tales of
pixies and fairies as she had never
heard before There and then was
formed the strange union.
He seemed happiest when she was
with him, and he taught her to love
books-that mind was greater than
mere earthly pleasures and enjoy
ments. She looked up to him worship
ingly; but she knew not that she
loved him until one day her mother,
calling her into her room, told her she
had arranged a marriage between her
and the son of neighboring planta-
tion-owner. Brought up according to
the strict Spanish views on the right
of the parents to give her in marriage
as they chose. she made no remon-
STRANGE and The formal betrothal was
accomplished. Outwardly acquiescent,
inwardly hating the man intensely,
her whole soul cried out for the one
to whom she had given her heart.
Reviewing the case mentally she told
herself that things were reversed from
the old romances, where the maiden
was ever forced to wed the rich old
man, yet loved the young one-and
here was she pining for one who only
regarded her as a child, or at most
friend,
But one comfort she vowed to her
self-that until the marriage-day her
betrothed's lips should never touch
hers. He, knowing not of the vow or
her secret love, sought ever to over
come what he thought mere coquetry.
Once he nearly succeeded, but re-
ceived so stinging a slap from her
open hand that he started back.
amazed.
why not?" he asked.
Because it is not my will" she an
swered haughtily.
"But why not?'
English girls do not allow it, and
will not until the marriage day. she
replied.
"They do" he asserted.
well, will not" was her cold
wer-"not until the wedding"
Mentally. she added. 'Then l can't
help il. God knowsi-but never so
long as can"
E1eF lEItHu tOnSi clutablOhS GAAS ~
ceived with the others. They were
Enthusiastically given. This means
the end of our quiet studious mornings
by the river, 1 suppose he said, Il
presume that when yor1g ladies are
affianced and in Lore, the want to be
constantly with TIE beloved object
do they not?" quizz.cally.
She shrugged her shoulders. 4 am
rather different" she replied, and
turned to the Latin grammar.
But he put out his hand and taking
possession of the book closed it, 1t
amused him to talk this morning. She
sat silent. studying palm-leaf, her
hand trembled. You are bit differ
emit wonder why?" he said.
Because / am" was the laconic an
swer. She dared not look at him or