Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-08-25
a SPANISH HEROINE.

without money has fewer opportunities
for manifesting his follies than the
wealthier animal of the same species. 1t
would have been piece of good fortune
if Geoffrey Kendall had been born to
work for his living like many better
man, since it is to he presumed that
hardship would have rubbed little
common sense into his soft brain. As
it was, his father left him large for
tune, and the use he made of it was
something between Joke and tragedy,
He was the legitimate prey Of oil sorts
of sharpers. rs got himself into terri
BILE scrapes and had to buy himself out
of them at enormous cost. Without
any real wrong he acquired for himself
an unenviable reputation among the
scandalmongers of the town.
He was a vigorous young fellow, with
big beard, mild eyes, and hands as
white as a woman's. He was, moreover,
something of dandy in his dress and
manners. Yet, withal, kinder, better
tempered soul you would not find in a
days walk.
What such woman as Alma Thorpe
could have found in him to love is
mystery, unless, indeed, il was on the
principle OF woman's tenderness for
children, birds and other weaklings.
She was quite his opposite-a quiet,
sober little woman, strong -wllled and
quick -witted, with a 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
piece Of glittering sham. Luckily, he
was made to pay dearly for his folly.
Kendall and Alma had been engaged
for nearly year, and their marriage
was to take place shortly, when n lady
appeared on the scene, who created IA
sensation in the town. She called her
self Donna Sanchica, AMI was accom-
panied by her brother, Don Marco
Damas. They we're supposed to be
Spaniards Of distinction making tour
for pleasure. Donna Sanchica was
woman of thirty, large and luxuriant
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 a great favorite. At
the social gatherings her mellow voice
and charming manners made her scores
of friends and admirers. II was OBJ
served by the wiser ones, however, that
she devoted herself to the younger and
wealthier men.
"I have one passion stupendous for
the American gentlemen" she admitted,
with engaging frankness; "he is so
brave, so superb, Santissimal"
= 1t was at one of these gatherings that
Kendall met her. She seemed to pone-
trate his character at a glance, and
turned the batteries OF her big black
eyes full upon his weak head. It was
simply q foregone conclusion. Like
any other moth he flew to the brightest
candle. She charmed, astonished, be-
wildered him. He had never seen such
brilliant woman-so brilliant, so un-
conventional. Moreover, she admired
him. He could sec that, and his vanity
gave q great throb Of delight. That
night when he went home 1 fear that it
was Of the superb Spanish beauty that
he dreamed, and not of the pale little
American girl.
Without intending any treachery to
his beirothed, he spent good deal OF
his time with Donna Sanchica after that.
He had right to admire her, he said.
She was his friend, his dear friend, that
vas all. So day after day he visited her.
and came gradually to neglect Alma.
The townspeople began 10 talk. Rumor
said that young Kendall and the Span
ish lady were engaged to be married.
Some envisd him, while others, more
sensible, pitied Alma, and cursed Ken
dalrs blindness and stupidity.
AS yet Alma had said nothing to Ken
dali upon the subject, though 1t had not
escaped her. But she patiently sought
to keep him true to bis faith by the
thousand sweet devises Of loving
woman.
At length even her patience gave out
One day, after weeks absence, Ken
dali found few moments to spare from
his Spanish infatuation TO call upon his
betrothed. He met her with sheepish
md embarrassed air, 81 II some con-