The news and herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1876-1881, 1876-12-07

like them listened spell-bound to
the tones he loved SO we'll.
The song ceased, and after q mo-
ment's pause she began duct, ex-
pecting. no doubt, that Sam Williams,
who usually sang with Lcr, would
take it up outside. Instead of
which he nudged Blake, who immo-
diatcly, us if irresistibly, began in u
round, rich voice, the like Of which
the disdainful maid had nevor hoard
before, but supposed it was Sander
son, or one Of the rest. How ex-
quisitely their voices blended (;
only hers was unframed, while his
had all tho culture of al opera sing
er. Indeed, many of his hearers
wondered if ever he had been IL pro-
fessional singer as woll us athlete,
and thought what loss to the pub
lie was such voice.
Every one enjoyed the singing,
and was especially amused at the
thought that Kate was unconscious
ly pouring out her whole heart in
united melody with the man she
professe to dospise.
Odd she Of all that group of
young men, California's finest, fresh
est sons, George Blake was beyond
c,lvil the Adonis. Although in reali-
ty thirty-two years of age, his exceed
ingly fair complexion and light
brown hair made him look years
younger. There was not q line on
the broad, white forehead, nor q
crowfoot around the limpid violet
eyes. "Where did such low fellow
get such heavenly eyes 2" Kate
asked herself the next morning, as
she drew on her riding gloves.
He was over six feet tall, and
might have been just trife heavy
for the ring, but for every thing else
his proportions were splendid. All
that the proud beauty and belle,
Miss Winstanly, urged against him
was true, except that he was Glow.
Nature made him gentleman,
though of low birth and iron for
tune. Ten years prior to the open
ing of this story Blake had come
to California with a circus troupe ;
he WAS Sisnor Francesca Sellterino,
the ''strong man" Of the company.
He vaulted with the rest, but his
speciality was firing II cannon off his
beast, lifting a dozen men at once,
and other immense weights. He
WAS Of an old circus family, and
never thought to leave "the pro
fession," but having some money
when he reached the Pacific slope,
he was seized with the mania for
dabbling in stocks, and to his Joy
and surprise, by one of those sud
den rises in stocks possible only to
California, he made almost fortune
with as much trouble as turning q
handspring would have given him.
This lucky stroke determined him
to retire from the sawdust, and he
soon developed business talent
which, in a few years, made him a
prominent and influential man in
Frisco, while his character as man,
and his exceedingly polished man
ners, won him the respect of every,
body except tho wayward beauty on
whom he had set his heart. II
remained for her to drag up and
taunt him with the old trade, never
alluded to by anybody now, except
as bit of personal history and
never to his discredit.
When, the morning after the con
versation on the balcony, the party
of twenty assembled, sunrise was
tinglng the rcd woods and the wild
flowers.
They were soon in tho saddle
AS Kate glanced disdainfully at hcl
companion, her heart fairly ached at
she thought that he was too hand
some for u man, and if he had beer
anything but low circus creature
even respectable hod-carrier-but
sho would die before she would
marry such q fellow.
And he thought, "She looks moro
like goddess than mere woman
[ would lay my body down unde,
her feet, and let her crush my life
out, if she would but smilc on me.
She had on previous occasions
snubbcd him SO terribly, that they
rode long time in silence before he
ventured to begin q conversation
with her but when they reached
the crest Of the hills overlooking
Santa Cruz, and he glanced across tn.
bay, and saw the fleecy, sun tintec
clouds lowering over the Monterey
range, an exclamation of deligh
escaped him, and he said with on
thusiasm:
"Look, look, Miss Winstanly Il
not that q picture painted by God''
own hand?
"Oh, yes" she replied, in m un
gracious and contemptuous tone
s'but I never gush--it is not 'goot
form
The insolence of the spoiled beau
ty stung him to the very heart
core, and pangs of despised love an(
sudden anger caused him to forge
himself, and he retorted with re
strained passion:
"Miss Winstanly, be pleased t
remember that if I have by m,
| Dresence ooaiD p1ocpd IL IN ,o,,,