The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-09-08
Lost Lima,
Or
THE BITTER And THE SWEET.
A Tale Of Two Continents.
BY MRS. NINA LAWSON.
CHAPTER V.-TCoNTINUEDl

As Lima spoke she sprang from the
bunch of straw to the heartless woman s
side, and pressed the large, rough
hands in her cold, soft, trembling
palms, and, gazing straight in the eyes
OF ger captors, she said:
viii you not please be little con-
slderate and treat me as You would
want to be treated were you in my
place? Can you not open your heart a
little and do something for me?"
Mrs. King, for that was her name,
grutfly answered:
mol" And with a dark frown on
her brow, roughly pushed the pale,
pleading girl from her.
She was but paid tool of Swarthv
Jim's, and if she should now allow her
fair prisoner to escape, she would not
receive her money.
Poor little Lima had done all she
could to obtain her release, for she
knew she could not linfasten the door,
neither could she get through the heavy
stone walls.
"Oh, heavenly Father, the only father
l have ever known, will you not look
down IN mercy on me now" And turn
ing with tear-stained face to her foe,
she said: You seem heartless, for
you will not even tell me why l am so
cruelty imprisoned here. You must be
like the wicked persons / have read of
in books, yet did not think such peo-
pie existed. Oh! please relent and
free me-
But Mrs. King was silent and I'M
moved
In utter despair Lima threw herself
upon the hard straw bed, while low,
deep sobs of agony broke from her lips.
The poor, helpless girl lay there for
some time; the sobs had ceased, but
occasionally deep moan would sound
through the room
"Oh! What can | do? What shall
] do? What have l done, to be so
cruelty treated?
Mamma! My dear angel mamma
Can you not see me now, and do you
not know | am in trouble?
"Oh, why was she taken from me. for
| need her every hour of my lifel What
will my poor aunt and uncle think
when L do not come home? Oh, why
have they brought me here? l know
nothing. / am not rich, neither am /
handsome"
"Oh, yes, my beauty! but there you
are mistaken; for you are handsome
beautiful beyond description.
There is nothing in this wide world
that is equal to your lovely face and
form.
The voice continued:
Il have travelled the world over: paid
my court to queens and princesses
but they, in all their grandeur, could
not compare to your strange, bewitch-
ing loveliness.
Lima still lay on her bed. trembling
like leaf in tempest, with her face
buried in her hands; the tears had
ceased to flow, and she did not hear all
that was said, for every particle of her
body now shook with fear
She was afraid to move, to look up,
for she knew that man stood in front
of her.
What shall I do? [ am powerless
to escape, but / will not be insulted by
that coward in this manner"
Like an arrow from bow she sprane
up from her crouching position and
confronted her foe with angry, flashing
eyes.
who are you, and what do You
mean by insulting me in this manner ?
Why have you brought me to this mis-
cradle place, and held me here a pris-
oner? You are a coward and thief ~
Lina's hot, angry breath famed the
check of the man in front of her. who
had now become silent, and q strange
look of wonder and admiration lighted
up his dark, sparkling eyes.
This man was none other than
Swarthy jim, the rag peddler, whom
Lima had so often seen, but now she did
not know him.
For some reason or other the hump
on his back, that all supposed a gift OF
nature, had disappeared; so also had
the long shaggy beard and rough, I'M
combed hair.
The man that now stood before her
was tall, muscular and handsome, with
n heavy, dark, silken mustache and a
rich complexion. This strange mans
eyes were dark and passionate, vet firm
and expressive
\ dark shadow crossed his handsome
face as Lima confronted him in the fear
less manner that she did, yet he had
not vet answered her question.
If you dare lay claim to the title OF
gentleman. answer me, sir!"
The baffied man mentally remarked
All! you are shrewd, and | thought
you knew nothing. l plainly see you
are more than a mere country lass; but.
thank fortune, You are in my power and
| am lucky dog"
For few moments the two stood
facing each other. A light of a terrible
dread and fear of the man in front OF
her shone in Lina's eyes, while Jim's
were bright with admiration
The spell was broken by the excited
man, for he advanced a step toward
him with extended hand and parted Inns
Don't YOU dare touch me; you are
not a gentleman, and cannot tell me
why / am so cruelty detained here"
Instantly her prosecutor saw that be
vas not pursuing the right course, and
that he ought not to have spoken as be
did. He therefore changed his manner
altogether.
i beg your pardon, Miss" bowling
very low; Il did not intend to insult
YOU. neither do / intend to hurt YOU in
any way; and, since YOU insist upon
knowing why l brought you here, It is
because | love you; and why l am
keeping You here Is because l want you
TO become my wife. l can give YOU all
that money can buy: | can make YOU
happy, and shall live and die for YOU.
VIE Won not cons ant?