The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-07-31
LUCIA'S MISTAKE.
BY MRS E. BURKE COLLINS.

r.
at ?"
Old Mr. King took off his steel bow
ed spectacles, put dosn his newspaper,
and glanced inquiringly at his interloc-
utor.
"There where Lucia's going to teach,''
pursued the other "lt's a no account
place, anyway, reckon. or they'd had
a school afore now. Where is it 2"is
"Oh. on tue Texas border"
"Purty fur off, amt it p
"Right smart But, then, Lucia don't
mind that; she wants change, she Gays.
| expect it is dull here, and lonesome
for young thing like her. And Texas
| is pretty lively sometimes, you know,
with Indians and Mexican raids, and 80
forth" E& i
"Humph! l should think so. But
what's become of John Randall ]
heerd some talk of a match between
him and Lucia. Hain't quarreled, have
they ?"
"Not as / know. He went over to
Baton Rouge on business. Don't know
when. he'll be back" f'v
"Well, / reckon I'll be goin' home,
now, neighbor King. Tell Lucia to
come over and see the girls before she
leaves"
"All right. But, wait a minute; I'll
60 bit with you. I want to show you
my new piece of cotton"
| The old man picked up his straw hat,
as he spoke, and they lounged away to-
gether.
Hardly had they gone, when out up
on the porch, which they had just va
Gated, came girl, tall, and slender and
stately, with a good sensible face, and a
prefusion of brown hair.
There was look of annoyance upon
her face; she clenched her hands, and
set her small teeth together.
Sand SO the gossips are up in arms
at lastr' she exclaimed. bitterly. 81
had hoped to spare myself that! As if
l didn't know that John Randall has
gone to Baton Rouge to be married"
Lucia Kings face grew stern. You
could see that she was not one to show
much mercy.
"Captain Brabason told me so," she
continued, "and do not see why he
should attempt to deceive me- At all
events, 1 am going away from this place !;
should die to be compelled to remain
here and meet his wife. Father and
mother do not need me, and they do net
need the money which l shall make -
"Yes, 1 will GO away, and in the busy
toll of teachers life, and the dreary
solitude of the Texas border, strive to
forget my past"
There was decided look in the girls
eyes, and about the firm mouth. Her
mind was fully made up; and, once made
up, she was not the person to change.
The preparations for Lucia's depar-
ture were pushed speedily forward. To
the restless heart of the girl it seemed
that the time would never arrive; but
like all things on earth, her probation
came to an end at last. So, one morn.
ing, she kissed her father and mother
good-by, and with many promises to
write often, stepped on board the train,
which soon bore her away from her
childhood's home. 1t was early the
following morning, when the train finally
paused at little out of-the-way station,
and the conductor approached Lucia:
This is Bordertown," said he; "you
leave the train here, and finish the jour
ney to Punchonville by stage"
He politely assisted her to alight, and,
gathering up her wraps, Lucia followed
him a short distance, to where lum-
bering old vehicle stood awaiting pas
sengers.
Her baggage was soon transferred,
and stepping into the stage, Lucia seat
ed herself in a corner. There was no
other occupant save one man, who sat
quietly reading newspaper, which he
held before his face, which concealed it
from view.
But as the driver cracked his whip
and the stage rolled slowly off, Lucia s
eyes fell upon the hand which held the
paper-a small, ungloved hand, white
and shapely-wearing a diamond of
wonderful brilliancy. Something famil-
lar about the ring kept her gaze riveted
upon it. A strange speculation entered
her brain. Could it be possible
just then the stranger solved the
problem. He dropped the paper, and
turned his face full upon her own; a
handsome, dark face, with deep-set,
black eyes, and the mouth, which was a
Itrife sensual, half concealed by heavy
mustache.
Lucia started in surprise, and an un-
easy feeling smote her.
| Captain Brabasonw she faltered.
cat your service, Miss King!"
| He DOTTED his picturesque sombrero
as he spoke.
"Delighted to bear you company" he
continued.
"Why, did not know that you were
going to Texas!' murmured Lucia, all
the while oppressed with an intuition
of something wrong some threatening
evil.
i 81 did not expect to co." replied her
companion, suavely, "until l found that
IyOu WOiC iulouuluS w tame tu6 Trip. SO,
| arranged business, and took passage
at the same time. And" he continued,
bending forward and seizing her hands
in his own, 81 have followed you to tell
you how miserable am. / have loved
you, Lucia King, from the first time
ever saw you, and I'm not the kind of a
man to give up easy. Will you marry
me, Lucia ?"
"Oh, no-nor' she cried, wrenching
her hands away from his grasp.
An evil light shot into his black eyes
"And swear that you will!' he hiss.
ed. Gas said before-Jack Brabason
is not the man to give up. I'll have you
yet, girl-if go through fire and water
for your
He threw himself at her side, with
reckless familiarity, and attempted to
take her hand A sudden recollection
/ flashed through Lucia's mind. She re-
memhered the little revolver, her fathers
parting gift She drew it quickly from
her bosom, and before the startled ruff.
J fan could move, turned it full upon him
/ He drew back in aslonishmcnt.
; "Plucky, now, isn't she ?" he cried, in
unfeigned admiration. you're o trump
!, Incia KJno. and no mistakei 7 neye,