The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1881-03-19

lovers name, but it was unknown to me,
though the name of the house he repre-
scented was familiar. But that went for
nothing as to the mans personal charac-
ter, and the fear that this might be
What would be the end, if my appre-
tensions proved correct? What would
become of the poor child? A wild
thought suggested itself It was a
strange mixture of deep pity for her and
deep Joy, tempered with pain and yet
sweet with hope, for myself
At last the voyage was over, and the
realization of this fact made me unac-
countably sad. For Lola was dearer to
me every day. In her little attacks of
illness, which she had not altogether
escaped, I had carried her about in my
arms, like child, and she had leaned
on me and looked up to me with child
ish confidence and trust that was I'M
speakably sweet to the lonely old
bachelor whose attitude toward this
young girl had seemed to touch his age
and world-weariness with magic wand
that had made them drop from him like
a garment.
Lola and I stood together on deck, all
our bags and parcels strapped and ready
for moving. She had not told her lover
she was coming, and of course he would
not meet her. / reproached her for not
having telegraphed, feeling strange re-
luctance to go and hunt him up; but she
answered simply that she could not af-
ford it. ALI her money was required for
the voyage, and, Besides she added,
quickly, blushing like rose, 81 wanted
to give him the JOY of the surprise"
| "And it." I said, reluctantly, If he
should not be here, Or anything, have
| you not money to return ?"
But he is bound to be here; nothing
like that could happen. And if he were
away | should wait till he returned. I
have no money to go home if / should
! want to, but there's not much danger of
my wanting"
Heavens! what trust, what exquisite
feeling, what beautiful belief in love !
And if he should prove unworthy!
When we stepped ashore, Lola and I
got into a carriage, which [ ordered to
| take us to hotel. She let me arrange
everything just as I chose, and we had
agreed to go together to the hotel, and
then | was to find her lover and send
| him to her.
l saw her safely seated in her little
parlor, and then, as it was early morning
| l ordered dainty breakfast there and we
ate it tete-a-tete. | don't think either
had much appetite, though I taxed my
wits to the uttermost on the menu and
| bod 1oy-, II, 60. d.,
| tried to think of everything that
could give her pleasure, for |
felt almost certain of a impending
calamity and [ looked again and
again into her sweet face trying to
| fix its look of happiness in my mind
And she was happy! Her voice was Joy
GUS as la1k's and her face as radiant as
day. [ would fain have fingered while
to bask in this bright sunshine, but she
was feverishly impatient and eager that
[ should be gone. / think she grudged
me the boon of seeing him first, for she
made me promise that I would not tell
him of her presence, but bring him back
with me under some pretext if I foun
him we'll, and return and take her to hir
if he was i'll. In either event, she had
settled it in her mind that they were t.
be married that very day.
When was ready to go I went up to
her and took her hands in mine lola, "
| said, whatever lies before you,
whether JOY or sorrow, remember that
you have me always for your friend You
must rely upon me as you would upon
your"-I paused and then said-''f ather. -
| 1t was an effort, but forced myself to
say it. Then, before leaving, I stopped
and kissed her sweet lips. 1t was the
first time and would probably be the last
and valued it as people do value what
can come to them but once.
When I reached the house, the address
of which Lola had given me, I inquired
for her lover-he was gone The woman
who kept the house could give no infor-
nation except that she thought he had
gone West
was unfeignedly distressed. In that
moment [ rose above self and thought
only of Lola. How shall I describe the
scene that followed my announcement to
the little creature? The heart-rending
grief, the wild denial of her lovers
faithlessness! She utterly refused to
believe it. She would far sooner, she
said, think that he was dead. After her
first outburst of passionate grief was
over, she Gained herself and said, stand
ing up: 81 must go away; must not
stay here"
The sight of her agony almost killed
me.
ooh, Lola I said, "where?"
She flung herself back on the lounge
with a motion of utter despair. I went
to her and threw myself on my knees
beside her and folded both her tremb.
ling hands in mine.
"Lola, be brave" said. "Face the
worst. It is bitter thing to say, but ]
believe he is false to you. I believe the
illness was feint, and I believe he il
willfully lost to you. My little darling
it is hard know, but not so bad as if vol
had married him and found it out after
ward. But do not despair. I will no
leave you, and You shall tell me just VIVA
you would have me do. will take Vol
back to Spain if you want to CO."
81 cannot! I could not bear i'll Ant
have no money"
tNovor wind %bo& -,.J s<T1