The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-02-15


the most unsusceptible spirit and make il
her willing slave.
| Don Miguel never told me he had ;
daughter said, trying to say some
thing to break the SPELL
| | thought could detect panied lool
come over her face at the mention of he
| fathers name Then with faint smil,
that made her eyes look as darkly brigh
as tropical twilight, she said
| "T'm m afraid you will miss much of You
eastern chivalry here among the men O.
our country They do not always thinl
1t OF enough importance to mention tn.
women. At best, we and our Interest,"
are but minor considerations.
Minor considerations p l uttered
the words aloud, half unconscious of wha
| was saying; but, suddenly becoming
aware that l had not replied intelligently
| hastily added II can hardly realizt
how such state of things can exist wher'
| You are, I had vague idea of saying
| but, checking myself, | continued
where there are so many beautiful wo
men. z
| "Have you met many beautiful womel
in Mexico? p she asked, simply.
| Again I became confused. had in
tended the meaning for her, but she hac
adroitly shifted to generality. Her soft
questioning eyes were on me. | could moi
tell her | had meant it for her alone, yet
| did not want her to think [ had evel
met woman before whom had thought
beautiful. How absurdly sentimental
was becoming with this strange youns
girl
felt as if | must say something; so,
trying to appear at ease, I replied
'sThe beauty of the southern women i,
provegbial in our northern countries.
Indeed p
Tat was all the word she uttered, ye
| felt that she had meant more than thai
word could ever imply.
Had she guessed my real meaning anc
was she disappointed at my reply?
[ was about to speak, when the Don
who had left us at our introduction, re
turned, and supper was announced.
We were ushered into spacious dining
room, where splendid repast was spread
The service was of the finest wrought sill
yer and gold, and must have once been thu
property of some Spanish nobleman
Fruit baskets of silver and richest desigr
were piled with rarest tropical fruit, anc
g., a obo,Jol;o, o,-orb 4 b,ndradc n
waxen tapers shed subdued radiance ant
transformed the place into scene of fairy
like splendor.
My eyes fell upon stranger as | en-
tered
ssDon Mariana Gracia, Senior Ward
hurst, said the Don.
We shook hands The stranger was
man of about my own age-dark, hand
some and naughty. But was it imagina
ton, or did I see traces of hardness ant
treachery written upon his face?
Who was this Don Mariana? Was h
ANYTHING to Mercedes Could it be tina
he was her lover? A hot pang of jeal
ousy shot through me as these thought
came into my mind.
In conversation he was witty and pleas
ant, but, somehow, I felt i'll at ease in hi
presence. After supper was over we ha
some music Mercedes singing some quain
old Spanish ballots with guitar accompani
ment. What splendid voice she had is
rich and strong, yet so full of tenderness
and pathos. | had never heard such mu
sic before. Her voice would have mad
her fortune in Paris.
That night it was many hours before
.. feel asleep, and, when did, it was I
. dream of Mercedes and hear again tn
sweet. tender notes of her voice in m
dreams.
Don Mariana left for the city the mex
evening, and | did not see him again fo
several days. I felt greatly relieved whe
he was gone | could now be with Mel
cedes without the presence of one VIII
might be rival.
Every hour remained in her presenc
[ became more hopelessly in love. Wha
would not have given to know she wa
;. free from all other claims Yet dare,
not ask her.
I did not see much of Don Miguel dur
ing these days. I was left almost entirel
alone with Mercedes. Yet, blind in m
new found happiness, I could see nothin
| strange in the action of the Don. Mer
cedes sung to me, over and over again
those sweet old ballads | loved so well
The days went by. Don Mariana ha'
come to the hacienda; but, after holding
long conversation with Don Miguel, h
returned to the city, lie did not Sc
Mercedes. What a sweet consolation tina
thought gave me !
stDid you know Don Mariana has bee
here today?'' | asked of Mercedes whe
he was gone.
"Yes,' she answered, abstractedly.
sHe did not come III 10 see you,
answered
"Why should he p she asked. ''H
had business with my father, ] suppose.
II don't know" | answered. {"
should not have gone without seeing you.
"You remember what [ told you abou
southern chivalry she answered.
'sYes,'' I replied, II remember.
Did she care because he had not seer
her wondered what she was thinking
about as she sat there silently. Should
speak to her and tell her of my love?
felt that the impulse was more than | coul
bear
ssMercedes,' l said, taking her hand
"There is something | have been waiting
to tell you-something | must tell you
love YOU with my whole soul and life
have loved you from the very first momen
| saw you; you could not have helped see
ing it. Tell me that | may hope-tell m
that you will be my wife p.
| | looked into her eyes. She was as pal
as death. She held up her hands appeal
ing, as if trying to stop me.
"Don't, don't r. she said, "You mus
not say that now. "
'sWhy must | not?' asked, my voic
husky with emotion.
81 must not dare not tell you now,
she replied, her voice sinking to whisper
ssTell me that may hope-tell Inc tha
you are not already promised to another,
| pleaded, s'and | can wait-wait and fee
happy till the time when you can give mt