The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1905-01-07


saiia more disconnected and morose, as
ne looked upon his broad acres, fields
~ eolfee, sugar and hemp and as far as
eie eye could reach. and beyond, he
eoald call the land and all who dwelt
taereon his. But Don Ramon was a
NldoWer, because all the pretty senior
ltes and the widowed senoras looked
upon him with fear.
y had been whispered abroad that
somewhere away back in his life there
lad been a young and pretty Donna
ramon, who had mysteriously disap-
peared, after she had gone with him to
The far away land Of the Gringoes
pc that as it may. only he knew. and
When he courte6 pretty senorita Inez
santora, just fresh from the convent
ana devoted care Of the good sisters OF
sacfe Occur, he never could fathom the
evident fear she had of him. Inez was
the only daughter Of a noble Mexican
family. consisting of three brothers and
her widowed mother.
All wanted her 10 marry Don Ramon
because Of his broad lands and great
the responsibility Of recouping the lost
fortunes of the noble Sanford family.
The boys either would not or could
not work, and as soon as they found
Senior Don Ramon had fallen in love
with gentle Inez, their future seemed
assured.
Surely no girl in her right mind
would refuse such an offer, much less
lnez, who was simply a penniless girl,
with naught but sweet, gentle dis
position and beautiful face. Inez kept
her own counsel, and almost broke her
heart over the turn affairs had taken.
She loved her mother, and brothers, too,
as she knew nothing of their eseapades.
But she had been to mass at the great
cathedral on some Of the sacred feast
days Of the church, and her lovely eyes
had wandered around many times when
she should have been saying her prayers,
and they encountered the admiring
glances of Don PEDRO Garcia, he of the
powerful form and graceful carriage.
IRez always looked for him every
time she went to the cathedral, and he
was always in the same place, 60 mat
ter at what hour she was there. She
wondered how it could be that he knew
when to End her.
After she left the care of the sisters
and went to Rise with her family, no
matter when she attended the mass, he
was always there. Heart answered
heart, and her eyes returned his loving
glances, and some day she knew she
should meet him. Surely. the Blessed
Mother Mary would bring all around
right. So Inez continued her work
among her flowers, and sang the live
long day, as she nursed her secret love
for Don Pedro. She knew who was un-
der her window at night, singing the
old love songs TO the tWangIng OF his
guitar. and the stray notes she found in
the early morning. as she stfolled in
the garden, surely could only come from
one source.
But aIasi one day as she came home
from visit in the country to an old
schooImate, imagine her astonishment
upon entering the room TO see Don
Ramon chatting Familiarity with her
mother and brothers. and her mother
addressing her. saying: 'Inez. Gear,
Senior Den RaE4on has conferred the
great honor upon US of asking your hand
in marriage, and we have accepted him
Cor you. Come here. dear, and let US
congratulate You upon your good for
tune"
Inez looked from one to the other,
and great tears weIled up in her eyes.
sOh. mother mia, | don't love Don
Ramon. I-I-ohi don't ask me to
marry him. cannot cannot
She ran out of the room, and up 10
her little shrine, and poured out her
heart to the Mother of Sorrows.
Sonora Sanford made the best Of the
situation and laughingiy excused her
by saying it would all be right by to-
morrow; it was because the proposal
was SO unexpected. SO sudden.
After Don Ramon had gone, Sonora
Sanford went in quest Of her wlIlful
Inez.
what do YOU mean?" she said.
*Don't you know We are as poor as we
wed the Don TO keep us from beggariy
poverty, and the Don has promised to
help your brothers. and me, also You
must and shall marry him. | had
pledged my word.
Poor. Inez, Her lie became one long
torture, and at last she gave her an
willing consent. and then the Santora
household became one vast workshop or
preparation.
All the girls and widows shook their
heads and prophesied dire disaster to
follow the marriage. But Don Ramon
showered his passive bride-elect with
costly Jewels and richest fabrics for her
apparel
Alas! one evening as Inez was sit
ting IN the garden, as she thought alone,
she heard the love song she knew SO
veil. and some one else heard it also.
and watched her as she listened The
rant and sweet expression on her face
was one he had never been able to
hiring forth. no matter how magnificent
the Gifts or how sweet his compliments
and love- making might be, and he re-
solved to see Who it was that brought
that love light in her eyes. He climbed
aver the hedge, but just III time to see
Don Pedro vanish round the corner
His jealousy was aroused and he de-
terrained to take her far away. when she
was his bride. far away to the land OF
+ba Geineoes, and then he would keep
her shut UNI so no one could see her