Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-08-27

snow will beg you to excuse me, as l
| have work to do before sunset, and left the |
| room.
work The lady works. asked Ramirez,
turning with puzzled glance to Merton, who
fastened to explain.
"Ahl what shame for her to work. And
all this money in her hands, if she had closed
them upon itn exclaimed the Spaniard;
| and. after a moments thought, he ap-
preached the young American, and, laying
finger confdentially upon his arm, asked:
''She is not married."
"Non
''Or affiancedI'
4"No,n said John Merton closing his teeth
firmly upon the mOnosyllable
Sig. Ramirez nodded twice or thrice,
and then asked some shrewd questions about
the business in hand; nor was Miss Wylie
again alluded to between the two men.
Another week went by, and Mr.. Waters
having nearly finished the business that had
brought him TO Havana was talking of the
return voyage when Sig. Jacinto Ramirez
sent to beg private interview with Miss
Wylie.
1t was conceded at once, and Louisa
learned much to her qualification, that the
, information had indeed proved worth for
, tune to the heir Of old Ruy Ramirez and his
brother Jago, owners of the Three Kings of
) Cologne; for the precious freight OF that IN
fortunate vessel had been so securely hidden
: bv the mutineers as to remain undiscovered
, until the moment when Don Ramirez him
, self, aided by two trusted slaves, removed
= the large stone like bench across the end OF
: the cave beneath which it lay concealed.
"The treasure is vast, signora," added the
, Spaniard fixing his dark eyes upon those of
= the woman who had brought this fortune to
/ him with such unconscious and disdainful
honesty.
Z 'sBut vet not enough Signora, | value
Q this fair hand far above all the magnificent
n gifts you nave bestowed upon me. VIII you
o add il to themn
p "Sir-why, did not you know
q "What, signoraF
a 'Well nothing yet but if / ever marry
8 sir, it will be but one man.
o And that man, signoram
n "You should not ask such a question, Mr
q Ramirez 1t is not you"
+ "That is enough, sgnora-"
10 "No, but you should not be offended, sir
Il although ! know my manner is somewha
a rude and blunt That is my birthright, a
II courtesy is yours Forgive me if l have hur
d you, signor"
a She came close to him, put both her hand
If in his, and raised her clear, bright eyes t
n meet his astonished gaze.
,e "How different you are from my country
n women On, signora, be gracious, and think
w at least, upon my offer of hand, and heart
"a and life You do not know me yet"
'sBut, sir, told You that love some on
Of else. and never shall dream of marrying an
an man but that one" said Louisa, with d.
of cision.
n "And he-does he" stammered Ram
CO rez
docs he love mer suggested Louis
nd blushng rosy red 81 think sol hope so
at is the notary" muttered Ramirez.
- "Good-by, signor. hope you will be yer
happy, and find a very good and true W
man to be your wife," said Louisa, again @
al fering her hand
~ "Signora, | wish no wife but you, repli'
10 the Spaniard raising the hand to his lips
=, And so they parted, not to meet again
~ That evening John Merton offered himss
"a to Louisa Wyle, and was accepted
"" II would not ask until after Don Ramirs
~ for he had far more to offer than shall eV
No have,n said the happy lover at last
IN Had he John Merton to offerF ask
mr. Louisa, with a smile
ho They did not meet again, but on her w
~ ding day, Louisa Wylie received from
' Jacinto Ramirez the gift of wonderful p