Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-11
WORLD FAMOUS STORIES
CAPT. POISON.
BY PEDRO DE ALARCoN.

Pedro Antonio de Alarcon. 1s33-lse1. was
2 Spanish writer, author Of many delightful
Great heavensl What q woman!'
cried Capt. Poison, stamping with fury
ITS not without reason that I've been
trembling with fear Of her since I flrst
saw her. It must have been q warn
ing OF fate that stopped playing cards
with her. My many sleepless nights
are also q bad omen. was ever q
How can leave her without q uro o.
tector, loving her as I do more than
my life? On the other hand how can
I marry her after all I've said against
marriage?"
Then he turned to Augustus.
What would they say of me in the
club?" he asked. What would people
say about me If they met me In the
street with woman on my arm, If
they found me at home just about to
Ito have children? To worry
about them? To live In fear lest they
fall sick and die?
Augustus, believe me, as true as
there Is q God above US am unfit for
it. I should behave so that after q
time you would call on heaven for
divorce or for widowhood. Listen to
my advice. Don't marry me, even If ]
ask you"
what q strange creature you are"
responded the young woman, not at all
discomposed. "All that you are saying
you are telling to yourself Why do
you think ! wish to be married to you,
that would accept your offer, that j
should not prefer living by myself even
II had to work day and night as so
many girls do who are orphans?"
Il conclude So" said the captain
candidly, because it cannot be other
wise. Because we love each other
Because such man as and a woman
such as you cannot live except to-
gether. Don't you suppose I've thought
it all out? Do you think I'm indiffer-
ent to your good name, your reputa-
ton? have spoken plainly in order
to speak, in order to fly from my own
conviction, in order to learn whether
can escape from this terrible dilemma
which Is robbing me Of my sleep
whether can find way not to marry
you-for shall be compelled not to
marry you II you stand by your re-
solve to make your way alone!"
"Alonel" repeated Augustus roguish-
ly. why not with a worthier COM
panion than you? Perhaps I'll meet
man who Is not afraid to marry me-
whom I'll like"
Poison. "I'l murder the man who dares
to ask for your hand. But 1t Is mad
ness for me to be angry without reason
am not SO dull as not to see how we
two stand. Shall tell you?
"Wen, we love each other. You lie
II you say I'm wrong. Here is proof:
If you didn't love me, I, too, should
not love you'll Let's meet each other
half way; I ask for a delay Of u
and feeble old man I shall have be-
come familiar with the idea Of slavery
then we'll marry without any one
knowing about 1t. Well leave MadriC
and go to the country, where no one
can make fun of me.
Until that time please take half my
income secretly, without any one know.
ing about it. Continue. to live here
III remain In my house. We will SET
each other, but only in the presence
of witnesses. We will write to eacl
other every day"
Augustus could not but smile at thu
last proposal Of the good captain, blu
her smile was not hooking wa
it contented, happy. Being woman
she suppressed the rising Joy within
her. She spoke with distant GOODNESS
you make yourself ridiculous witt
your peculiar conditions"
81 know still another way QUITO
a compromise" said Capt. Poison. 9TH
last way out, indeed"
She turned and looked straight int
his eyes, earnestly, captivatingly, quiet
~, her face full of expectation. TIL
captain had never seen her face s.
beautiful and expressive. At that mo
ment she seemed to him to be queer
Augustus" stammered this brav
soldier who had been under fire hun
bred times, 81 have had the honor t
ask for your hand on one certain, es
sential, Interchangeable condition. To
morrow morning -today-as soon as tn
papers are in order-aS quickly as pos
sible. I can live without you n
longerI"
The chances Of the girl became mild
er. She rewarded him for his heroisH
with tender and bewitching smile.
''But ] repeat that 1t Is on one con