Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-02-12


somehow, and wandered into an enchanted
valley BY Jove, that Table mountain looks
as il it might I've roc's nest Yet the steak
was very real 10y half; it disturbed the eternal
fitness of things
He stepped into shop in dingy brick
building to purchase a cigar. What business
had Havana cigars in an enchanted valleyl
and alcohol lighters, too. Absurd He stood
before the counter pulling great blue rings
into the silence. \ hand laid not too
lightly upon his shoulder. Travers ,urned
quickly There was a warm hand clasp.
"Charey Trenton, by all that's holy"
"At your service; but what brings you
here, win"
Business, Of conrse. You did not think
would come here from choicel"
III don't know. | came here from choice
myself-and see no reason to regret it. It's a
glorious climate, my boy, and magnificent
bay
Il seem to have heard something like that
before But you don't mean to say that you
are living heref"
Just that Been here nearly year, and
doing well. Old business, you know-dry
goods. ] have built up splendid trade"
Behold" said Travers, waving his hand
grandiloquently above his friends head BE
hold q man who comes to an enchanted valley
to retail dry goods With whom do you
trade, rash mortall genii, elves or the fairies
or do you furnish mirrors and the latest
shades in bathing suits to the nymphs Of the
seal"
Nonsense Where are your
"Where am II That, my dear fellow, Is a
question which have been trying to solve all
the morning"
II mean, where are you stopping'
AT the - house"
"That won't do at all You must come to
me. Mrs, Trenton will be glad to renew her
acquaintance with you and l will introduce
you TO my sister, Kate. We have plenty Of
room, and will not be refused"
Will Travers changed his quarters accord
ingly, and that evening found him installed
in "A comfortable chamber in the cosy home of
the Trentons. He had not met Kate, as was
promised, for the reason that she had dined
and spent the evening with some friends Of
hers in Old Town. He would see her, how
ever, in the morning Mrs. Trenton, most
charming woman, mad entertained him ex-
ceedingly well, apologizing for the absence Of
her sister-i n-law.
Charley had broarhed his plan for Sun
day picnic to the Musse beds at dinner time,
and Mrs. Trenton making no objection GER
tainly Travers had none to offer Anywhere,
he thought, would be an improvement on
that dull town.
Promptly at o'clock on Sunday morning
Charley drove spirited team to the door,
drawing two-seated open rig of the kind SO
common in California They were to pick
Kate up in Old Town, whittier Charlie had
promised to come for her that morning They
had breakfast early that day, and like good
house WIFE Mrs. Trenton was ready, with
her hamper securely packed.
Trenton aud wife took the front leaving
Travers in the back seat
II suppose the fair Kate is to be allotted me-"
he thought, but said nothing They rolled
swiftly through the upper end of the town,
over red roads guiltless of dust, following the
Culving shores of the still bay and the line
# the railroad, around the point of a high
hill and before them-Old Town, with its
crumbling adobe walls, its graveyards and its
tiny plaza set about the tumbledown shanties
Of mud and brick, and moss-coverei rustic
redwood
Before the largest house in the place-a low
adobe, with deep, cool verandas, but with
yard guiltless of shade, except that east by
the feathery branches of pair of date palms
they stopped and Charley handed the rens
to his wife, jumped from the carriage,
crossed the yard and entered the open door.
In moment he again appeared upon the
porch followed by group Of laughing girls.
One Of them taller than the other thres was
cloaked and yelled. She seemed to be ex-
postulatng with Trenton. He made an i'm
patient gesture and started to return to the
carriage, the girls still following him. Tray
ors hardly knew why he noted all these min
ute details Mt that time. Perhaps it was in
pure speculative idleness In a moment
Trenton had reached the gate, and was say
ing:
My sister Kate, Mr. Travers; Miss Mar
tinez, Mr.. Travers; Miss Minita Martinez,
Miss Ventura Martinez"
The Spanish madens lsped some pretty
words of courtesy III their sweet acccnt--but
the stately Kate only bowed in silence.
Travers RETURNED all these salutsitions as well
ns he was able in his awkward position, and
meanwhile Charley had helped his sister to
her seat and they were Off.
Across a level plain covered with salt grass,
and then began the gentle accent of Point
Iona to the lighthouse. 1t was like all the
other beneiicent institutions Of its kind
possessing; the distinction, however, of being
the loftiest beacon upon the Pacific coast,
and our picnic party gave it only the most
cursory visit. The view from the tower, of
sea and town. and bay, and distant mountain,
| is unsurpassed.
All this time. Kate Trenton had not raised
her veil nor could Travers draw her into
anything but monosyllable conversation. He
gave up the attempt at last.
| Leaving the lighthouse, their road followed
the very edge of the sea booming necessarily
upon the rocks far below. Down, down, TO
where they entered level valley, and before
them the shadows of False bay sleeping in
the sunshine. Then a long stretch of level
! beach, with the waves kissing the feet OF the
| horses, a sheltered cove in the rocks, and the
Mussel beds. Here, where the valley begins
! to rear itself toward the headland, great
ledge of sandstone, level as a floor juts into
the ocean from beneath the hill, and forms
! the great pleasure resort of San Diego The
rock is scanned and worn and honey -combed
! by the action Of the waves, but its surface is
above the reach of the highest tide Its face
| is black with pleasure seekers and its outer
edge which the sea has worn into a thousands
| fantastic ShapaS 10 fr-pua5 with cIinoino