The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-09-15
THE SPANISH HEROINE.


respect at least, inasmuch as fool
without money has fewer opportunities
for manifesting his follies than the
Weather animal of the same species.
1t would have been a piece of real good
fortune if Geoffery Kendall had been
born to work for his living like many a
better man, since it is to be presumed
that hardship would have rubbed a lit
tie common-sense into his soft brain.
AS it was his father had left him large
fortune, and the use he made of it was
something between joke and a trag-
edy. He was the legitimate prey Of
all sorts of sharpers. He got into ter
rible scrapes and had to buy himself
out of them at enormous cost. With
out any real wrong he acquired for
himself an unenviable reputation
among the scandal mongers of the
town.
He was vigorous young fellow with
big beard, mild eyes, and hands as
white rs woman's. He was, more
over, something of dandy in his dress
and manners. Yet withal, q kinder,
better-tempered soul you would not
find in days walk.
What such woman as Alma Thorpe
could have found in him to love, is a
mystery; unless, indeed, it was on the
principle Of woman's tenderness for
children, birds and other weakness.
She was quite his opposite quiet,
sober little body, strong-willed and
quick-witted, with wonderful fund
Of patience for her laundering lover.
She seemed to have no object, no hope
or ambition aside from his happiness.
Yet, like the fool that he was, the time
came when. he flung away this jewel for
apiece Of glittering sham. Luckily he
was made to- pay dear for his folly.
Kendall and Alma had been engaged
for nearly year, and their marriage
was to take place shortly, when lady
appeared on the scene who created a
sensation in the town. She called her.
self Donna Sanchico, and was accom-.
panied by her brother Don Marco
Damas. They we're snnpots.e,i q, he
s.ss S5pI;ani5rds uf distinction making tour
for pleasure. Donna Sanchica was a
woman of thirty, large and luxurianI
of figure, with coal black hair and eyes
Of the same hue, as bold and keen as
hawks. She was not long in working
herself into the best circles, where she
speedily became great fAvorite. Al
the social gatherings her mellow voice
and charming manners made bel
, scores Of friends and admirers. 1t was
observed by the wiser ones, however
that she devoted herself to the younger
! and weather. men.
u have one passion stupendous fol
the American gentlemen" she admit
ted with engaging frankness; che is 81
brave. SO superb, Santissima p
1t was at one Of these gatherings tina
Kendall met her. She seemed to pen
citrate his character at a glance, ane
turned the batteries OF her big blacl
eyes full upon his weak head. 1t wa
simply foregone conclusion. Lik,
any other moth he flew toward tn,
brightest candle. She charmed, aston
ished, bawildered him. He had neye
seen such brilliant woman-so bril-
liant, so unconventional. Moreove
she admired him. He could see that
and his vanity gave q great throb o
delight. That night when he wen
home I fear that it was of the superl
Spanish beauty that he dreamed, an,
not Of the pale little American girl.
Without intending any treachery /,
his betrothed he spent . good deal Q
his time with Donna Sanchica ate
that. He had right to admire her
he said. She was his friend, his dea
friend, that was Ill. So day after da,
he visited her, and came gradually /,
neglect Alma. The towns people bees,
to talk. Rumor said that young Kep
dali and the Spanish lady were engages
70 be married. Some envied him
while Others, moro sensible, pitted A
ma, and cursed Kendalps blindness an
stupidity.
Ar yet Alma had said nothing /
kendAll upon the subject, though
had mot escaped her. But she patien
" sought 70 keep him true to his fat
~ the thousand sweet devices Of s 10,
ing woman.
A. length even her patience rave GU
One day, AFTER : week. absence, Ke,
dali found few momenta Ia, spal
from his Spanish infAtuatiou 70 C
upon biz belrushcd. He met her vii
. sheopiah and embarrassed air, 8
Some consciousness of his own mea
unmanlineae were troubling him. 3
Dene % ktM her, - usual, but she ste
psd back ard confronted him firml
~ with white laco ard tfemblil
lid. sSs ks III ss'i fslsS y "