South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-03-19

duties, but not for long; as in the com.
mencement of summer, she was to grad.
uate and appear before the worlds foot.
) lights as ayoung lady; and with Joy she
looked forward to the day when again she
would he back ut the old homestead.
which Clarence found to be strangely
dark and dismal without her fair pres
ence. .s3Fid - .Teis
But the months rolled away ut last,
and once again Juanita gladdened the
mansion with her sunny smile and sill
very voice, to the JOY of her guardian
and the delight of the servants, for one
and all OF them loved her dearly. sef /
month after her return she was seat
ed one moonlight evening enjoying from
the open window, the seeneofl lawn. lake,
and forest spread befsee-Ass ~Aa.-ssd.
denly quick step was heard, and Cla-
renee Kane entered the room, and ap-
proaching her. said softly:
"Jnanita, am glad find you alone,
Tor nave something to tell you.
Even IN the moonlight the beautiful
lace was seen to flush quickly, and the
dark eyes were raised towards her guar
dian.
Pointing to seat beside her, Juanita
maze no reply; and sitting down, Cla-
renee Name SAID quietly:
Juanlta, to-day is the first time the
thought OF losing you ever came forcibly
upon me
What mean you? Speak, implore
your cried the impassioned girl, star
tied ut his words.
DO not be alarmed, little girl mere
ly meant to say that Caspar Hastings
and Colonel Hughes have both asked me
to-day to allow them to lay themselves,
their hearts, and fortunes at your pretty
feet; and Clarence spoke playfully.
81 love neither of them and never
shall. Hence l will not marry the one
or the other but what did YOU saw"
Il SAID would speak to you upon
the subject
You are willing to give me up them"
''Never mo, l mean; but some day
you will love some MN, and he will take
you from me-"
No, no, no. / will not 90 away from
you. i will not love any one; Iwish to
be always with you.'
Clarence Kane sprang to his feet and
rapidly crossed the floor, and returning.
said quickly:
''Juanita, would to Heaven l could
keep you ever with me. but first. ere |
know my doom, let me tell YOU of your.
self; let me tell you OF your past life
Listen You have believed yourself
left in my keeping by your parents, who
l told you died in foreign land, but to
your life hangs story which now you
must know, for no longer are you q
enid.
You know my life has been one of
adventure, ofwandering, and thus L will
begin by telling you that sixteen years
ago was roaming in Spain, and one
might, put up Mt an inn by the roadside,
where were stationed number of Span
lsh Officers.
while enjoying my supper in quiet,
conversation occurred at n table near
me, between several Spanish officers,
that was most insulting to my own land.
and every vile epithet was heaped upon
America and Americans, until, unable
to stand 1T longer, | arose to my feet,
and crossing over to the table, threw a
glass of wine into the face of the young
man, attired in captains uniform, and
who had been particularly insulting in
all he had said.
Instantly there was acommotion, and
making known my nationality. the young
captain demanded that | should meet
him In duel, and nothing 10th, accep-
tea the challenge and promised to meet
INN the next day but one, in spot des-
ignated In the mountains, and some IL
miles distant. the captain promising to
nave friend present who would act rs
my second, for / was n STRANGER i'm n
strange land, and knew not whom TO call
upon but do not he impatient, Juani-
ta' Tor all this bears upon your life.
10 be IN time; / procured a guide
tle next afternoon, and thoroughly arm
ed ana well mounted, we started for the
rendezvous but terrihc storm set in,
we iost our way, darkness came on, and
aiter wandering for hours. n friendly