The Dillon tribune., 1883-05-05
"A r.aned. though her unframed sn,r;.

and refined. though her unframed spirit
would often break out Ut restraint.
Like me, lhe had NO mother, and her
fother. like mine, was hermit II his own
housa. and had never met him. until TO-
Gather , We sought him in his library, and
boldly told him who was, how had met
biz daughter. and asked for her hand.
"His brow grew black a. spoke, and I
noticed that he trembled, but he said in
low. stern tones:
..Young man, your father has doubtless
hidden from you what he il. or has hecn,
or you would never come here to ask for
my child to be your wife"
Il stood in anaxement and then asked
.'What do you mean. sir?"
First, years ago / knew your father
we both loved the same maiden. and he
turned her against me, and abe became his
wife to die soon utter.
THAT never forgave him. for I knew
that he won her from me by falsehood, aud
then broke her heart.
After that he LIFT England, and until
met him here some months ago, knew
not what bad become of HIM. but now l
know he b. ughs yonder house, and lives
there in luxury, upon the gold he gained
by piracy:
Will not 0Ct0mpC 10 U0HCEtOo WHnC
passed. Colonel. fof ! gave him the lie
direct. and he and hts servants drove me
from the house but nght my father.
and from his stern lips learned that he h"d
vained his money AZ = captain IN the slave
trade. that he had won Colonel Claire's
int. pded bride from him. and that she had
died of q broken heart when she knew he
was SLAYER. but no had again married, and
my mother. life al.o had been made
wretched by what she discovered OF her
husbands past
$50 Indignant was toward him that
he drove me from h house. and swcre
that not a dollar should ever have OF his,
and he kept his wor,l, for. ut his death,
with the exception OF the mansion. it went
to charity a. an atouement for his aims.
when I next came home after his
death, both homesteads were deserted,
for Colonel Claire ind Fidele had gone,
the servants knew not where, and be.
came wre. .hed indie d but, alas! two
years after rece we'd. when my vessel W.; .
ia the Mediterranean, . letter from law
yer. tel ny me tnat the Colonel had died
and left his vast property t. his daughter,
and she too, diving. had made me her heir.
~ was a>tonish-d, l can assure you:
but with the lawyers letter came one en-.
closed from Fidele. saying that she had
always loved ne, and. dying, had left me
her wealth that l might he happy with
the wife had chosen. and if l loved her
| memory, to accept tue inheritance.
II resigned from the navy. Colontl.
sought the awe =. and found that my IN
heritance Was very large one: also
| sought the sp0t where poor Fldele WAS
buried. and erected above her monu-
ment and now. after long years of wanler.
lug, l have gotten up courage to come
| here, and in yons;er homestead, left me by
the one woman ever loved, will live n
til /, too. die. But c0me-let us Cross to
the Haunted Island. and will show you
the very spot where first met her"
It was just sunset as we landed ut tho
Haunted island, and making our way
among the bushes. we suddenly came TO
dead stantistill. for there. not fifteen
PAGES away, stood . woman eiad in snow
white.
Her. auburn hair hung in wavy masses
down her back, her face wis darkly
bronxed. but beautiful. aud her GLORIOUS
dark eyes were tn. ned upon us with look
shall never forget, while her slender.
graceful form wan swaying a. though she
was aloat to tall.
"oh He.vens have mercy! 1t is Fl.
dele's spirit"
The cry came in mortal agors from the
lips of Dale Drummond and his face was
as pallid as the dead. for he was skeptio
in I'LL supersti,ious dogmas. and yet before
him, as I did also, beheld the Que he
deemed dead.
mo, Dale. I am not a spirit-Fidele
Claire in flesh aud Lluos,," ANA speaking IN
. low. musical tote, sue came tuwa4u us,
evidently deeply moved.
Not deasi Tia TX God!" And he
tott ned forward and held forth his ar..ls.
But she drew back. saying sadly:
No, Daie. that is not my place, but
hers"
ridele, what do you mean ?" And,
seemingly forgetful Of my presence. he
continued: None but your Image has
ever been in my heart"
And your wife!"
~ have no wife, Fidele, nor ever did
have"
DO you mean this, Dale Drummond: I"
Upon my honor. yes"
"Ah how have ] been deceived Ny
father toll me he was married, aud loving
him still, ! gave up ali tor him. and c.lne
here to this Lonely place to live, le. ting
the word believe mo dead"
She spoke more to herself than to him.
and With her hands clasped. her eyes d WI.
cast; but ut her woras he sprang toward
her, and turned away and went on TN ex.
ploiation Of the islana, leaving the two
together.
Darkness came on, and at last retrace.l
my way. but hear.n my name called, went
IN the direction OF the trail. and found the
two seated before the little cottage that
had been the Belf-sacrticins and beautiful
exile's home, aud which was most COM
fo:rable.
Only one. then I heard, was in her
secret, and that was the faithful servant
who had had charge of the old homestead
and each week he brought her food and al
she needed, and nobly kept her secret.
But my romance has ende,;, kind reader.
for enc month after the strange mey,.n.
on Haunted Island. Dale Drummonl III i
Fidele were married. and the old mansion
having been entirely repaired and fur,
nlshed, they went there to iwell rs soon
Is they returned from their bridal tour
and often have visited them. and in my
wanderinys around the place have passed