Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-10-24


the Governors pressing invitation, we
had promised to return on the following
day.
Once on board there was nothing
spoken of among all our party but the
gracious reception We had met with, the
charm of the Governors family and the
anticipated pleasure of to-morrow's re-
newal of agreeable associations. For
my part could Join in no conversation.
/ had not a word to say. became sud
denly dull, and, not to appear morose,
retired as early as possible to the seclu-
sion of my stateroom. What was going
on within me was a singular feeling l
had never experienced before; but III
looking down into the bottom of my
heart the germ of my love for Leonia
soon told me that [ was no longer free,
that my heart had been left behind a
willing captive to the charms of the
beautiful daughter of the Governor.
Just as the sun was pouring the first
rays of purple and gold from his throne
in the East, rose the next day, and,
dressing myself with scrupulous care,
sought the early breeze on deck. I was
anxious, though carefully guarded my
secret, to leave the ship and once more
set foot in Horta. A light wind that
was blowing had gone down, ripple
kissed the water between our good ship
and the land, and everything promised
most glorious day. With bounding
velocity our boat cleared the distance
separating us from our friends, and we
were On shore in few moments. AS
we drew near, [ knew not why, my
heart beat with a mad impulse and sin
gular contradiction more than once,
much as [ burned to see the object of
my love. I wished hundred times I
had never left the ships side. But this
can be explained. When man is only
20 years of age, love is a very remark
able antithesis; at 40 he understands it
better, and later on in life aOeU.
Before entering the Governors house
[ saw my beloved at the window, her
eyes bent in the direction of the ship.
Why is she there?" [ said, In my in
most heart, "and does she expect any
one in particular. One glance told me
all. In moment I understood the rea-
son. What happiness awaited me }! I
was going to spend an entire day in the
society of her my heart adored. Such a
day is an eternity. How many men have
never in the course of long life had
twelve hours of such bliss
Fernandez, when breakfast had been
partaken of, showed us over his vast es-
tates. Ny immediate companion was
Leonia. A thousand little occasions dur
ing the day gave me the opportunity [
so much sought to tell my love never,
however, boldly, but silently and only
after the fashion that lovers know SO
well. Finally, making an allusion to the
country through which we were passing,
venture to exclaim : "What a charm
reigns in this island, and how happy
should be to live here p
g If the country pleases you so much, :"
replied Leonia, "why not remain here :?
But you are only joking. Moreover, l
have heard so much Of your beautiful
country of France that I can scarcely
believe in the desire you express. Be-
sides, I remember all you said yesterday
concerning love Of country and the hap
piness of serving it. You see you gave
me reasons to doubt you"
eyes" I rejoined, in faltering tones,
"there are many things that make us
love our country-for instance, a moth
er's love, sisters devotion, the kind
ness of old friends, the old house
where we were born, the trees on the
green where we played-all these things
inspire us with a longing for and love
of home. I can explain yesterday,
though what said then I Will not say
today"
"Were I not afraid Of being indis-
Greet" replied Leonia, &C. would ask
the reason Of your sudden change of
opinion.
"And I, Donna Leonia, already
thought you had guessed the reason,
but, since you have not, allow me to
keep my secret.
The embarrassment visible in the face
and in every movement Of my compan-
ion revealed more than any answer she
| might have given. Fearing to wound
or annoy her, remained silent, and for
long time we walked on, no word es-
Gaping our lips. At length we sat down
at the foot of little hill. Straightway
in front of us was an immense field sown
all over with daisies.
Gin the country [ came from, said I,
"this pretty flower is much priced, and
lovers use it to find out the degree of
love existing between them. Here's
how it's DONE Saying which, I threw
aside, one by one, the petals of the
flower and repeated, at the same time,
the mystic words. I stopped at the
words ''just little
81 did this Oh purpose" said L. $50
you love me a little %"
Leonia blushed.
"Then-you deny it, do you?"
She gave me her hand and placing
it in mine, this was the choicest answer
I could have sought.
The day was just closing. In our
ramble we had been left far behind all
our friends had gone on, and, not know
ing whittier we had strayed. were COM
| ing back to meet us. We followed them,
still pursuing our leisure. On the NOR
row the ship was to set sail from Horta.
When Leonia heard this she turned
pale. While the Captain and the pass
engers were saying last farewell to Fer
nandez, quietly approaching Leonia I
| whispered in her ear:
81 shall not go with them tomorrow.
At 8 o'clock, expect me. I shall return. -
The day of sailing came. With a
favorng wind the ship that bore me to
Horta started for the coast of France.
[ stood on the shores watching her re