Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-06-29

] have ! faIl. Cor III asE0nish yOu By
proving Whist afRnities earthly angels
can possess. f0E, do ron know, I'm al
most starved n
saTrue. I had forgotten the p0Iikeneas
Of host IN my joy ct your arrival: but
win now atone for Il
And calling 60 D servant GIRL, be bade
her conduct his ward 70 the room pre-
pared for her. promising 10 meet her In
few minutes ct dinneEs
The merry Christmas days sped ran
idly away. and both Clarence Kane and
his beautiful ward became toasta In the
ariBtOOratic society Of aristocratic BalE-
more.
The best parts q the State, Mr.. Kane
was haunted by mothers who had mar
riageable daughters, dfned By bashful
papass and, ON account Of his great
popularity, wined at the clubs BY his
numerous friends, while the beautiful
Juanita arose like star above the hori-
xon Of the social circle, and became &C
once . reigning belle.
But, amid all the admiration q the
outer world bestowed upon them, both
Clarence Kane and Juanita were better
content to enjoy She quiet Of the old
homestead and were happiest when left
TO themselves.
And yet neither Of them knew the
others feelings in this matter, but be-
ieved the regard existing between them
was such % was right between guardian
and ward.
The merry days were soon over and
once again Juanita returned to her
school duties, but not for long, as 81 the
commencement of summer she was to
graduate and appear before the worlds
tootlights as Q young lady, and with ioy
she looked forward to the day when
again she would be back at the old
homestead which Clarence found % BE-
strangely dark and dismal without her
fair presence.
But the months relied away &C last.
and once again Juanita gladdened the
mansion with her sunny smile and sill
very voice, to the joy Of her guardian
and the delight of the servants, for one
and all of them loved her dearly.
A month after her return she was
seated one moonlight evening, enjoying
from the open window the scene of lawn.
lake and forest spread before her, when
suddenly quick step was heard, and
Clarence Kane enteyed the room, and
approaching her, said softly:
ssJuanita, / am glad find you alone.
for / have something to tell You"
Even In the moonlight the beautiful
face was seen to fnsh quickly, and the
dark eyes were raised toward her
guardian.
Pointing to seat beside her, Juanita
made no reply; and sitting down, Clar-
ence Kane said quietly:
'sJuanita, to-day is the first time the
thought Of losing you ever came forcibly
upon me-"
"What mean you? Speak. I implore
you r cried the impassiOned girl,
startled ct his words.
ssDO not be alarmed, little girl:
merely meant 10 say that Casper Hast
ings and Colonel Hughes have both
asked me to-day to allow them to lay
themselves. their hearts and fortunes
ct your pretty feet;" and Clarence spoke
playfully.
ssI love neither Of them and never
shall. Hence will not marry the one
or the other: but what did you say2"
81 said I would speak to You upon the
subject"
then P''
s'Never !-no, / mean; but some day
you viii love some man, and he will take
you from me"
s'No, no, no, I win not 60 away from
you. viii not love anyone; wish TO
be always with you.
Clarence Kane sprang to his feet and
rapidly crossed the floor. and returning.
said quickly:
'sJuanita, would to heaven could
keep you ever with me: but first, ere I
know my doom, let me tell you of your
self-let me tell you Of your past life.
''Listen You have believed yourself
left in my keeping by your parents, who
told you died in q foreign land; but
to your life hangs Q story which now
you must know, for no longer are you
child.
You know my life has been one Of
adventure, Of wandering, and thus will
begin by telling you that sixteen years
agone was roaming ii Spain, and one
night put up at an inn by the roadside,
where were stationed o number Of
Spanish officers.
'sWhile enjoying my supper In quiet,
Q conversation occurred at table near
me between several Spanish officers that
was most insulting to my own land, and
every vile epithet was heaped upon
America and Americans, until, unable to
stand il longer, arose 10 my feet, and
crossing over 10 the table, threw q glass
Of wine into the face Of young man,
attired in captains uniform, and who
had been particularly insulting in all he
had said.
Christianity there was q commotion,
and making known my nationality. the
young captain demanded that should
meet him in duel, and nothing 10th,
I accepted the challenge, and promised
30 meet him the next day but one, in
spot designated in the mountains, and
some twelve miles distant. the captain
promising to have 8 gentleman friend
present who would act Is my second. for
was stranger in strange land, and
knew MT whom ~ nofl ur,f,Y4 krak ID MT