Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-07-19

""e "'u 81, sue knew not mat still loved lie
but then she thought that she was so nea
h'm-thc idea that she might possibly SC
him, gave to her loving heart incitcmen
enough to carry her thithcr, over mountai
and plain, willing though of ten with wear
! feet.
AT length they came in sight Of Val
entia, with its Moorish gates, its many tur
re's, places, and public buildings. Bu
here they were lost in the labyrinth q
streets, and giddy mazes and turmoil of tn
city. They had come without any dcfini,
purpose, and were now entirely destitute o
means. Want stared them in the face
until finally by some good fortune The fa,l,
er engaged his services to nobleman a.
gardener, and So arranged the contrac
that it afforded him good accomoda ion
Tor both himself and Iinorenc.
Time passed on the fathers skill Lcear
10 manifest to the lordly owners eyes. IL,
was pleased, and visited his servants cot
t"ge at the end of the garden, when 1mor
enc and her father lived. Tile owner O
these lands and gardens was astonished
when he found blooming within his palace
walls flower SO beautiful as the peasan,
s'rl- lie was spellbound by the exquisite
beauty of features, the dclicacy Of her bear
ing and the sylph like grace Of her form.
ihe father was surprised at the earnestness
OF Don Moranzos questions concerning his
child, and perhaps a troubled tbouoLt
crossed his mind when his noble master
turned away from the cottage door and
walked back to the palace.
Don Moranzo had baL name in Va,eu.
TIA; lie was dark aul nooIy.spri,ed man,
one whom lew liked to cross, still fewer 10
le intimate with. Ills principal claim to
Tie honor in which he was held in the dis.
tF'ct and court was owing TO his immense
wealth, dishonesty enough obtained, no
doubt but often purchasing for him what
otherwise could not have obtained.
When we say that Don Moranzo vas
loved by none, and feared by nearly all. we
have told his character.
The only friend the peasant Gomarls and
lis daughter had made in Valenlia, was a
'r'ar OF the convent Of Santa Clara he
watched over Imorene as carefully as if she
had been his only daughter.
~ few months after the utroJuc,;,, of
lmorene TO Don Moranzo, he had. in his
v'leness, planned the dishonor Of his bean
l''u' dependent. All his advances had been
met with such calm but firm disregard. that
't hrst he was Disconnected but suddenly
[he father was taken i'll, and sickuessadyonce.
u with fearful rapidity, until death came to
lie relief of his sufferinps.
There was something about the sudden
1e"th Of her father that struck the priest rs
mysterious. lie had very suddenly died
~ a manner that TO his experienced eve
seemed 10 indicate that he was poisoned.
" hether this was Intentionally done, or
he knew not, nor conld he con-
lecture, save by the inference and We. there
was lurking suspicion in his mind that
Don Moranzo knew something more Of the
gardeners decease than he wished to ack-
nowlcdge. The priest strongly suspected
onl play, and that tho unprinciped cava-
her hadssaken summary means in order to
accomplish his designs upon the innocent
sPa unprotected girl.
This WAS indeed the csse, for she was q,
'nce removed 10 his own house, and placed
under the strict guard Of domestics who
'"ew their masters pleasure, and who had
been taught to respect his slightest wish As
heir law. Here the peasant girl was most
miserable. Though young and contidinp
lie could not mistake the fearful position
D Which she found herself. She saw dan
'er' but, alas she knew Of no way to avoid
{! Even the priest was no longer permit
ed to see her, and she felt indeed alone.
Struck with the noble nat ure of the o;r,
nd subdued by her quiet firmness Den,
doranzo, at last grew 10 look upon her rs
necessary to his existence, and
ven offered her his hand and title If she
you'd become his welded wife. She had
'red once, her young affections had been
laced on the altar raised in her own heart.
nd she would never loyo again.
Don Morapzo had been drinking deem ono
ny, and at late boqr came TO ]morenes
7artmen:s. She saw l'is excited state and
'embled as he came to her side.
Come, my pretty one, give me kiss
Nay, senor pray you respect my
'nely situation, ! beseecb you
But ono single kiss, Imorene, for good
ight.'
'Senor, Senor! I,sm almost deienssiess,
poor weak girl. Ye would not strike me
umb with fear
But ono, ! most and wifi bsyc one