Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1890-12-25

disposition naturally, and loved soli-
tude, His long, weary journey from
the settlements of the north had been
undertaken mainly to satisfy his rest
less nature, and to carry him away
from where he would be in the society
of men. His impulse, even while
prompted by gratitude to the girl for
the service she had rendered him, was
to retreat from the settlement where
he would again be thrown into inter
course with his fellow men. But she
exercised strange fascination over
him, and though he would not confess
it even to himself, it was to be near
her, to feast his eyes upon her beauty,
that he had accepted her invitation
1t was with pleasing fiction by
which he only half deceived himself,
therefore, that he now sought the low
veranda in front of the house, ito
enjoy the fresh air outside"
Josefa is preparing a little SUPPER
for you" explained the old man, as he
sat putting cigarette.
The stranger seated himself near the
door, where ne might see the little,
slender figure of the girl as she fitted
about inside, produced pipe after
having refused proffered cigarette,
and was soon entertaining the old man
with stories of his adventures among
Indians and wild beasts. The Mexican
listened gravely, only half understand
ing the allusions of his guest to unfa-
miliar localities and customs yet re-
framing from asking questions, lest he
might seem inquisitive about the Wis
itOr's antecedents
Soon Josefa, having finished her
preparations inside, came and stood by
her father, and the stranger found
fresh enthusiasm for his narrative in
her evident admiring interest.
The afternoon shadows heightened
imperceptibly as he continued his rem
iniscences and the sun was almost dis
appearing behind the distant hills when
they sat down for the meal which Jo-
sefa had prepared some hours before.
He became more and more interested
in the girl, and it required but little
pressing to persuade him to stay with
them that night. The next day he was
even more reluctant to leave, and they
seemed equally loath to have him, and
SO his stay was extended two or three
days.
One evening as he stood with Josefa
talking of anything SO that he might
have the pleasure of her company and
wondering whether the moon ever
shone so brightly or so beautifully be-
fore, she suddenly said to him, Man
uel is coming home tomorrow
MANUEL Who is Manuelw
"Ah, you do not know him." she
said. Then after IL pause, as if reluc-
tant yet anxious to tell her secret, she
added: ''We are to be married. He
is my lover, and shall marry him next
week. Oh you should see Manuel so
handsomel Not handsome like you
are, but like a Spaniard You must
stay and see Manuel. / would show
him the big, strong man saved"
ut would no doubt entertain him.
1t was the tone rather than what he
said that arrested her attention.
"Ah, have hurt you now, she said,
laying her hand gently on his arm as
he turned away. Forgive me. 1t
was but joke l intended. You are so
good and strong did not think.
Forgive you, little woman2 You
could not offend me; ! would give my
life to make you happy" Then, as
she looked at him in surprise at the
earnest intensity of his speech, he
added, Have you not saved my life
And so you see it belongs to you And
you love Manuel very muchg
"Why, yes Are we not to be mar
riedp
'Then l am glad that you will be
happy"
"And you will stay and see Man
uel!"
Yes; / will stay. Now, / want to
be alone, " he added abruptly, and she
turned into the house Inurmuring to |
herself, HE is SO strange, l cannot un-
derstand He is different, that's what
it Isl he is different" And with this
somewhat obscure explanation she was
content
But with the visitor it was far other
wise. AS she disappeared from his
view he strobe out in the moonlight,
and paced up and down with quick,
nervous stride. The bright moon east
n flood of silver light over the scene,
but somehow the beauty seemed to
have departed from it forever. A gen
tie breeze famed his brow, but he was
too agitated to feel its soothing effect.
Il might have known it, he mutter-
ed What am that / should hope to
win such prize2 A wanderer, an out
cast from my fellow men, without a
home that ! might offer her. Fool,
fool, that l was to have stayed here,
when | might have known that she
would have some lover among her own
people. But what right has he to in
terferel Stay to see hiin2 Yes, shall
STAY. and l shall kill him. "
The spark of disappointed love had
fired all his passionate nature, and the
angry flames were darting FORTH con-
suming all sense of right and justice
II l.. 4 ]