Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-05-29
CHAPTER XIX.

RAM DELEGATES HIS DIARY TO EVAN
GEIINE.
81 address these concluding lines to
you, Evangeline, child of my heart.
"Thus far have related all that IS nee
essary of my life beyond these silver seas,
and all that knew of yours. One day it
may be of Importance to you to be ac-
quainted with the particulars, for, as
Harold truly observed, Life is full OF
surprises
Something yet remains to be told.
Harold, l learned, was sculptor, and was
Door. Mauvain was at once his friend and
patron. Harold might have achieved dis
tinction, had he cared to win it, but his
indolent nature stopped the way. What
ever may have been Mauvain's true feeling
for Harold, became convinced that Har-
old estimated his patrons character at its
proper worth. Had l cared to speak in
terms Of disparagement of his Weather
patron he would have resented it s.; none
the less did he hold him in despisal
81 have taken some pains to delineate
the characters of these gentlemen wish
you to understand them.
ST read Mauvain's last letter to me over
and over again. 1t was extraordinary that
he should choose for you name you al
ready bore. He could not have been aware
that beneath his name and mine in the
Bible l had found in my mothers hut was
written the name of Evangeline, which
naturally supposed to be yours. Was,
then, the circumstance of his desiring me
to introduce you to the inhabitants of the
Silver Isle by that name merely COIN
cidence, or was it part Of a chain yet to
be unwound?
81 determined to sound Harold upon
the point. Between the young sculptor
and myself no feeling of confidence ex-
listed. He looked upon me as a creature
so immeasurably beneath him, and was so
painstaking, in his insolent way, of i'm
pressing it Upon me, that man with less
control over himself than l possess would
not have tamely submitted to it. But L
have learned LIES lessons, and only upon
rare occasions do my passions succeed in
Overpowering my reason.
Harold evinced desire to amuse him
SEX with me, but it was not in my nature
to truckle to any man, and l was as free
with my words as he of his SO after
time we came to tacit understanding to
have little to say to each other.
For long time could not find suit.
able opportunity to speak to him on the
subject of Mauvain's letter, and it was not
until we were within few days sail of the
Silver Isle that it presented itself. We
had not addressed each other for days; he
was master of the situation, for he never
betrayed the slightest impotence towards
me. It was different with me; when
am stung by nettle l cannot help showing
feeling.
81 must be just to him. He took sen.
timental pleasure in your society, but do
not believe he ever uttered word against
me in your presence. This was so loyal
that could not help admiring him for it !;
few men would have refrained from stab
bling one whom they disliked as cordially
as he disliked me. At other times, when
you were not near, he did not spare me.
He was lying on the deck with book
of poetry in his hand, which he was idly
reading, when approached and stood be-
fore him. He did not raise his eyes, but,
with matchless insolence, mur1nured, as
though he had just come to the line:
And men whose heads do grow be-
meath their shoulders! The quotation is
pat, for one stands before me. Thrust for
thrust, hunchback am ready
"'I am above those taunts, said /;
they no longer wound me-
81 lied when made that boast, and he
knew that lied.
cat least you have courage he re-
marked.
"'I need it, replied. But it is not
of myself l care to speak. I wish to have
WORD with you about that little maid
90 Evangeline ?
eyes
g 1t is cruel of you This is the dream
ing time of day. (The sun was shining full
upon him). The effort of thinking, muck
less of speaking, is exhausting'
% 1t is almost pity that the trouble of
living should have been thrust upon you.
g He laughed quietly. thought you
would not be able to resist. 1t is, indeed,
pity. We should be consulted-it is an
injustice
There is an easy way out of it, 1 said,
glanGBg at the calm and beautiful sea.
He looked at the water with peaceful
eyes, and said, No, hunchback, 1 will
wait. Proceed with your business
"'We are near the end of our voyage
&c am happy in the reflection that we
shall soon part company
"'On the day 1 first set foot on this
vessel you gave me letter from Mauvair.
"'D Did L? All, yes; l remember
In that letter he desired me to call
my little maid by the name of Evangeline:
Are you acquainted with his reason for
doing sol
"He did not reply Immediately, bat sat
looking out in silence upon the sea- Pres
emily he brushed his hand across his eyes,
and murmured:
"'Vislons! Have you Mauvain's letter
about you?'
"' Yes
"' Will you let me read it?'
81 gave it to him, and he read it aloud,
repeating the opening words, Il know not
what name you have given your child.
Then he returned the letter to me, and
said In the isle forswhich we are bound
there was once maiden named Evange-
line, whom the islanders hold in tender
remembrance. Mauvain has told me the
story. That may have been his reason.
"' thank you. 1t is a sufficient rea-
son.
81 was about to leave him when he