The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-06-07

growing up In homes stde Dy Btde here In Caracas? Yes, q well trod path led between the two houses. Had not their fathers and mothers been friends, many, many years? Now Marias father and mother were dead. He. Antonio, was des. tined to marry her at Easter. Sure- ly he must be patient.
 Marin covered her little shell ears already thickly, with her thin hands.
 I wil. not listen"
 Antonio watched the diamond cross that had been her mothers rise and fall on Maria's bosom, the diamonds sparkling. An, fortunate cross thus to rest on so sweet bosom.
 "Beloved mine, 1t is my father who calls me: my duly"
 The boy did not add that his father was sick, old, too old to carry all the burden of the estancia ranch, In the distant llanos, from which came the wealth of the rich Dolgado family. Leaving the uni- vorsity, Antonio spent his vaca. tons on the ranch, learning the thrilling life of n cowboy, So that In time he might take his fathers place. Now his father called him. True, Antonio had promised Maria to be her caballero at tho ball to be given that night by 'E: Prcsi- dente Gomez at the palace in the plaza but no man could be In two places at once.
 Antonio stood irresolute beside the grilled gate. His love shone In his black eyes. They met Maria's iiashlng--no, not with hate, that could not be. Yet Maria's eyes blayod with passion. She stamped her tiny foot. one little hand started to swing the grlllod gate, the other nerv0us!y clutchod tho gold chain from which hung her diamond cross.
 "Go! For the last time say it."
 Antonios eyes blazod. Ho drew himself to his tall height, looking down on hIs beloved. Ills skin turned white as chalk.
 "So shnll it be. go--als6 for the last time. Never shall l return unti. you go down on your pended knees and pray for me Co return
 Maria became 6 statue. Now her checks turned chalk white. Her hand clutehed her throat. fell heavily to her side.
 over that hand which h6 no" took, Antonio bent very low He strengthened, turned, wulkod down tho path us the grilled gate changed behind him. over his shoulder he ttoosed C scornful "Adlos." TONY WALKED QUICKLY TO HIS HOUSE
 irony walked quickly Co his house. Ho did not turn Co look back or hu might havo seen MnrlaB black eyes peering through the grl.iod gate. His pride, inherited from Spanish ancestors forbade thut hG thus giyo in to n woman. But how, whom ho loved Maria NO deeply, could ho maintain that prid0Y He had said he would not return until she went down on her bonded knees and prayed for him to TO. turn. That was too much. Maria was not without pride. ft was her fiOry spirit that had won Ant0nios love. Aye, what q torture was ioVci
 With such thoughts parehIng hla mind Antonio met Pope, tho muBe boy, holding his horse. 1t was a six.h0ur ride to the ranch. The sun was already low in the west but no would ride hard to Dc at his fathers side. Springbng lightly Into tho saddle, Irony clnttorcd out to tho road. Ho gailopcd past the grl.lcd gate of tho Cespcdos home, his eyes fixed on tho fur horizon.
 Ilaughtny Maria stalkod Co tho pat. Tia Mnnuelln was sitting in her rocking chair, knitting See. Ing Maria, shO spoke.
 "Who will take my little one to the ball, since Antonio cannotY"
 No onc."
 so Yhurp came tho words. Tlu Manuclla dropped her knitting. She studied Mnria's chalk. white fnce. Even Aunt Mnnuclla had known