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

maddened him. At such times the
memory of the days when Alma's love
was all to him would smite him with a
miserable heartache. He would COM
pare her sweet, pure presence with the
lurid and unhealthy influence of the
Spanish woman and wonder at his own
blindness.
But Donna Sanchica was diplomat.
She knew how to deal with his dark
moods SO as to profit by them. Atsuch
moments she would look at him re-
proachfully and sigh as if her heart
were broken. Then Kendall would
melt, and cursing himself for n hard
hearted villain, submit more abjectly
to her Establishments than ever.
They were soon to be married, and as
the donna claimed his whole time, 1t
came about naturally that the solemn
don, her brother, consented to take
charge of Kcndalrs affairs. lie doyel'
opcd so keen talent for business that
in very short time the young mans
property quietly changed hands. OF
course, being all in the family, it made
little real difference in whose namc the
money was held.
But one morning Kendall called at
the residence OF the Spaniards and
found them gone. A letter in the
handwriting of the donna was given to
him by tho housekeeper. 1t ran as fol-
lows:
Farewell, most obliginy of men
Business engagomentEs call us else
whore. Sorry that you have been dis.
appointed. We have leave our most
distinguish regard in place of the
money what We have taken. How say
you the fair exchange is not the rob
berry? Santissimn no. We have the
pride and the honor. Ahal Also my
husband, Don Canals, have remark that
it is the Just payment Of You to him for
the long privilege Of making me- his
wife, the love. Is it not so? Your de-
voted SASCHiCA.
Kendall read the letter in a state of
stupefaction; then quietly tore it to
pieces and went away with his head
dropping and a deep frown upon his
face. The smallest examination into
his affairs showed how egregriously he
had been duped. or all his patrimony
not enough had escaped the clutches of
the adventures and the husband to af-
ford him a decent subsistence. In spite
Of his overwhelming shame and anger
there was feeling of intense relief in
his. heart. He had imagined that he
loved the Spanish woman, but now he
felt that j. would have been sacrifice
could he have married her. He was
really quite satisfied to pay even 80 high
price as financial ruin TO have cs
capped it.
His resolution was speedily taken.
He wrote long letter TO Alma explain
ing everything, but offering no excuse
and asking for no hope. He then left
town silently. For two years he was not
heard of. At the end o. that time he
returned, a grave and thoughtful man,
with lines of sorrow and hardship in his
face. Misfortune had come late, but it
made n man Of him at last.
He had not yet called upon Alma,
when he mot her in the street one day.
He made no attempt to avoid her, but
took her hand quietly.
"Alma," said he, IL have come back
solely for the purpose of seeing your
face and taking new courage from it be-
fore go ont in the world again"
"Are you going away r she asked
with a faint shadow upon her face.
"Yes." said he. "My repentance is
not yet worked out. have repaired
the ruin caused by folly, but / have not
suffered enough for my trcachery TO
you. There is q worthy and admirable
life before me. l must attain it,"
"Can you do it alone ?" she qucried,
with sweet gravity. "Do you need
helpT
"None could help me but you," he
replied, tremulously. "and l have
sinned too grievously against you for
forgiveness. need it-oh, how sorely +,
Not once in all these months have you
been absent from my mind. 1 have
labored with your image at my heart, to
be worthy Of your pardon and approba-
tion, but fear it was hopeless task
"I am the best judge of that, Geof-
frey," she replied.
There must have been something in
her downcast face of deeper import
than her words, for his face suddenly
frightened and he took her by the
waist.
"It il true, then, Alma am for
given 2"