The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-02-17

After Stephen had been home about 8
month, a new actor appeared upon the scene
This was a young Cuban, whose mother was
an American. She had some cousins in the
neighborhood, and had requested her son tc
make them visit. Sebastian Torredos was
at once AL object of interest to all the young
ladies-and gentlemen, too, though not tol
the same reason. To be sure, the young
ladies would have liked it better had he
spoken broken English; but, unfortunately
having passed the greater portion OF his boy
hood in the United States, he spoke the Ian
guage like native. Still, he looked very
Spanish. and as he could speak that language
also like a native, matters were quite salts
factory He and billy met on equal ground
for both were accomplished in the game OF
skill, and neither were in any danger Of be-
ing injured.
Stephen made no sign, and poor Dilly ex-
perienced q heartfelt anxiety because he did
not. before she was in the least aware that
she entertained such feeling To drive it
away she tlirted with the Cuban; for that
reason and also with an unacknowledged de-
sire to sting Stephen, if he cared enough for
her to be stung. Each day she grew more
anxious to find some mark Of interest, and
each day as far from discovering it as ever.
In the midst OF it all Stephen was obliged to
be absent for several days on some matters
Of business, and in his absence billy found
herself growing fearfully tired Of Don Sebas-
tian Torredos. One afternoon she set out
on long walk, and staid till dusk, lest he
might lounge in his usual listless way, and
spend hours with her.
Before she returned Jenny came trottine
in from the village. s'Here, Mrs. Susan
said she, sis a letter for Miss Amelia"
ssput II on tho ,,,aOt1a in tho 1ini in u.rOop,
replied Susan.
Now there was peculiarly about that
mantle piece; a mirror stretched along it,
leaving a small space unoccupied at each
end, on which it was well enough to place
letters; but behind this mirror lurked crack,
into which, if an article slipped, it disap-
peared as complete as though it had gone in
to crevasse on Mont Blanc. Jenny knew
of the crack, of course, and placed the let
ter by the side Of the mirror; but when Dilly
came in, knowing nothing of it, she laid
some wild flowers she had gathered, in the
same place, and in doing SO, pushed the let
ter little too far, and down it went. She
heard it, and began to inquire into the mat
ter, but when Susan told her, she said in
differently:
''It is no matter; the letter must be from
Mary Wilcox, who is in New York; she al
ways writes lot of rubbish. | know it is
from her, for she said she would send me an
account of a party that was to come off this
week"
The next day Stephen returned from his
journey, and the same evening met Dllly at
by questioning look in his dark eyes-a
look in which, in spite of himself there was
occasionally mixed glance of tenderness.
This only aroused Dilly to more active tlirt-
ING with the Cuban. She knew Stephen dis
liked him, and when she saw his troubled
gaze she assumed confidential air which
her companion instantly caught up.
Toward the close of the evening billy was
seated by an open window, the Cuban hy her,
and Mr. Stephen Whitmore standing opposite
The conversation turned upon letters
Il received one yestcluns,'- aaid Miss
Dilly, laughing, ''Written upon most inn
portant subject-at least to the writer; but
shall not answer it for very good reason
'And what is that, pray p asked the Gu
ban.
perhaps | will tell you tomorrow, when
you bring that sea view you spoke of show
inc me- returned she, with the confidential
air that was intended to district Stephen
but on giving him 4 side glance she shvered
at the change in his countenan.e. SO cold,
so dark and stern was his expression, that
her heart sunk within her, andas she turned
her head to more fully see him he leaned
forward, and fixing on her a look of con-
tempt, said, slowly:
'You speak of pictures-do YOU remember
the one we were looking at last week, and
the words, underneath it, Glove desecrated
dies ?"
Then he turned from her and addressed i
gay remark to young lady near him. Dilly
saw him no more till the following week
but she heard in the meantime tnat, much to
the regret OF his parents, he had decided moi
to remain at home, but again TO 90 west
/ When she did see him it was bU a moment
and with others around them the clasp O.
his hand was loose and careless the look he
gave her as he bade her goodbye was one OF
quiet indifference.
Stephen went, and Dilly, spite Of her bes
efforts, dropped. Some persons attributed
this to the departure of the Cuban, who
made his adieu at this time He favored
Dilly with a complimentary speech and {
very tender pressure of her hand ne woult
have kissed it, in French fashion, but she
fast losing her coquetish ways, retained hin
by look.
The month passed on, and Dilly grew
quiet and thoughtful Much she ponderc(
on the expression OF stephens (Ountcnance
but the only cause she could lind was hel
flirting with the Cuban. One night she sa
musing, just before going to led. On tn,
table by which she sat lay a little book, il
which Stephen, when he first :eturned, hat
written her name at her Request. He wrote
a peculiar hand, one that would at once at
tract attention. While thus itting, Jenny
came in to consult her ON the c'lor Of a dres:
she had purchased that day. Standing by
the table, her eyes fell on the writing in tho
book.
LANDS sakesn she exclaimed ''that's fo1
all the world, the same writing that was OF
your letter, Miss Dilly, that Slid down tn,
Ecrack.''
Miss Dilly turned pale, Are you sure
Jenny99' she asked quietly, but with grea
effort.
EYES," replied Jenny, taking up the book
I was looking at the way th, A and I were
made as 1 brought the letter along, ant
these are made just the same"
perhaps they are" said billy, and ther
turning to the dress, drew J@ny's attention
to it. But when the girl LEFT the room she
started up, and with hands pressed tightly
on her breast walked rapidly up and down
She saw it all now. stephan had sent hel
the letter she had writtn to all her
correspondents about without finding the
writer; and now she understand why he look
ed at her as he did that night. He thought
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