The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-07-27
CARMELITA'S GOODBYE.
BY FELICIA BLAKE. opyrisht, 1905. by Daily Story Pu'

(COpyIi8nt, lSVos Uy Dohy
 fishing Co.,
 Brent Allen rode slowly. The reins hung loosely upon the neck of tho ht- tie yellow pony that had been such 8 faithful companion for two years. AL len laid one hand caressingly upon h1s neck and an inquirins ear turned to- ward the master. ately; it was hard to leave the little beast There was Carmelita. too; and 1t was hard for her to have Allen go.
 Brent sighed; he reached into his pocket, drew out a letter and hngereo 1t thoughtfully. Boz walked on stol- idly as one familiar with his route. The sun had burnt It's way more than half across the clear sky toward the west ern horizon. Aliens wide sombrero chung to the back of his head, protect- Ing neck and shoulders from the burn ing rays.
 Brent's mobile lips relaxed into a slieht smile; not another afternoon would tha. southern sun beat upon his broad shoulders. He was glad the bus mess was all settled and that he was to leave that "cussei hole" and be in civilization aga:n. How had he man. aged to stay these two years! His thoughts came back to Carmelita. Yes, it would have been more difficult with out her.
 
 first time he had seen her. Her broth CT. witk the courtesy of the Mexican gentleman, had asked Allen to the ha- cienda. They came upon Carmelita un- expectedly as she was returning from her promenade around the plaza. Al least, 1t had been unexpected to Allen, Out later he had learned that the girl mad planned the effective meeting; and In tine moonlight. her beauty set of by c flmy scarf thrown over her head, was startling.
 Yes those two years would have been different without her. Allen &C., knowledged that. though he dld not re- alize how much the love of woman mesat to him. Rapidly now through his mind he traced the progressive course of their association; that first surprised pleasure when the man in him recognized the attraction of the woman in ner; the next Jew meetings, following quickly, where each read the welcome in the others eye. a welcome that soon was voiced by the lips. Un- der Mexican skies. with old associa- tions miles and months away, new friendships ripen quickly. and even to less impulsive Northern iasses, Brent hadbeea power to charm.
 Carmelita was the most beautiful Of the few girls ;n hat isolated mining town. She belonged to a family of luNioputdDie IcSpcStapallty COuAu have had her choice of the young Mex jeans there had she been willing; her refusal to consider any offer had been more or less of a grief to several, but to Jose Ramos 1t had been the most in tense and bitter disappointment.
 With Jose everything had seemed to progress favorably until Brent Allen appeared and Jose hated Allen us a Mexican can hate.
 Shortly after Aliens attentions to Carmelita hal become noticeable. Jose gave her @ dagger. Not so large nor so long. Carmelita," he had said, but sharr; and long enough to reach his heart. Oh, you need not look at me so; you are a good girl. md you still have the true spirit though you are be- witched now by that Grirgo. I tell you he will bring you no good: know those smooth American os; they do not marry Mexican girls; but you have the dag ger"
 In time, when their meetings were less open but not less frequent. Carme- lita had. shown the dagger to Brent. and womanlike, had told him loses words; all except those that had been said about marriage. And then Car melita had pressed her face to his and had declared again her love and faith fulness, and a loyalty that would never let her hurt him.
 NOW, riding 10 tneir secret trystlHS place to bid her pood bye for the last time, these scenes passed vividly be- fore Brent's mental vision. He un- folded the letter and read 1t again.
 T must see you again, Brent I must. Such a dream I had last night; 1t makes me shudder now, and 1t bodes no good, am sure. I did not seem to be in church. and yet l saw 1t all; the flowers, the people: and I heard the wedding music. The Padre stood waiting and saw men moving up the aisle, as if they were carrying something heavy. but all was in mist! could see nothing distinctly except you You stood at the chancel rail; plainly I saw your face and you were watching for something. Then I knew that was being carried by the men. but the music changed, 1t was a fu neral march! My sight cleared; l, too, was at the chancel rail, but I was in my coffin-dead, laid out in bridal robes.