The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-04-06


"You will be seasick almost certainly,
then" I said. care you prepared for
that ?"
"Oh, yes" she answered "I have
hoped that perhaps might not be, but
am prepared for anything"
There was patient resolution in her
tones that piqued my curiosity, espe-
cially as she presently informed me she
was all alone and going simply under the
captains care. She was full of Joy at
meeting some one who spoke her Ian
guage, and constantly intermingled with
her talk little ejaculatory expressions of
thanks, which seemed to have no
application beside the general one
Of my knowing Spanish.
When the bell sounded for dinner, I
took her down. Ny arm, which was
rather timidly offered, being promptly
and gratefully accepted. After that I
used to seek her always before meals
and take her in with me, and once, when
something detained me and was little
late, found her waiting for me. think
thepeople of the vessel thougt that we
were companions from the start, and some
me alluded to her once as my daughter,
Ind although hastily corrected this,
willingly let it be supposed that she was
travelling under my care. In the SIM
plest and most natural fashion she
learned to defer to me and lean on nv
decisions, and, by-and-bye, to confide in
me.
1t was one evening that we had been
sitting together long time, idly talking
about the weather and the ship, and
wondering how long we should have it
so fair, when she turned to me, in her
soft Spanish speech, that loses so meal
culably by translation, and said:
81 want You to tell me about your
people and your home"
felt as If her little, soft, plump hand
bad dRealt blow upon my bare heart;
but 7 answered, simply:
81 have no home, and my people are
all dead or gone from me-that is, my
parents and sisters and brothers, for I
never had wife or q child, which is
what you meant, perhaps"
Yes meant that 1t is so sad I
thought, perhaps, you might have a
daughter like me, and that made you so
kind"
"No, I have no daughter" l said
slowly "though am, in truth, old
enough to be your father"
"And you have never loved any one
never wanted to be married to some one
who was good and beautiful and kind Z
How strange!"
These questions were scarcely marked
by any interogative accent. She seemed
to be merely stating them as facts, with
a gentle reluctance. But, though she
expected no answer from me, was ire
sistibly prompted to confession.
eyes, Lola" said, ct knew some
one like that once, and loved her. But
it was long ago, and we were parted"
"Oh, why did you part p she said,
passionately. "Why did you suffer any,
thing to part you? Was she not willing
to give up all, to leave home and friends
and country and everything to follow
love, as have done?"
Urged on by deep excitement, she
had revealed her secret, and / half feared
she would repent and try to retract it,
but she did not. She seemed either
to be unconscious that anything had been
divulged, or unconscious of the fact
that 1 had not known it all the time.
"You do WELL" L said, fervently. at
is worth the sacrifice. God grant you
do not repent it"
"I have no fear," she said, confidently
"Fear could not live in my heart, which
holds perfect love-"
Then, so simply and naturally, she
told me her story. She had become en-
gagged to young American sent out tC
Spain as agent for some New York bust
ness firm, and he had gone home a few
| -
his superiors had made other arrange
ments, and he had written that although
he would be stationary in New Yorl
thereafter, he was coming back to marry
her and bring her to her home in tn,
new world. AT the time set for his ar
rival, however, he had sent letter in
stead, saying an attack of illness pre-
; vented his coming, but he was now con
! valescent, though the physicians said h,
must not take the voyage for some time
! "When got that letter." said Lola
! 81 could do nothing but cry and fret fo
the first two or three days. I did not ca
} or sleep, and my aunt, whom I liveC
with, said would die, and was YER
? hard and cross. was utterly wretched
2 until one night as ] lay thinking it al
7 over / resolved that would 20 to him
( He had once, half-hesitatingly, suggested
it, saying it would save so much expense
r and he is not at all we'll off; but It hat
t frightened me so that he gave it up, say
D ing he would spend all he had, soone
: than give me the anxiety and trouble O
Q such voyage. But now-now that h
q was i'll and alone-I could think n,
= longer of my dread f; indeed, it was gone
, and all thought of was to go to him
q and comfort and nurse and take care o
him. So got my aunt's consent, thougl
Q she would not give it at first, and 1 too
4 the very next steamer. And see no,
Q easy and pleasant it has been He nee,
Is not have been afraid for me; but, then
o he could not know, and neither could ]
Q that should find your
10 Her ardent tone and look, as she sal