The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-10-08

trading vessel, 1t appeared, instead of
the regular steamer, more favorable
bargain having offered in this way, and
he had not written, in order to surprise
them.
"But-this in confidence he said, 81
must soon be off again to the United
States Hope it will not be for long. A
business connection is open ITO me there
which it would be injustice to myself to
neglect. j." f''
Alas! their wild bird had flown from
the nest and they feared it would be
long indeed before he returned to it. To
acquaintance Walter said he had little
good to report of the United States
knowing this was the way in which he
could best escape embarrassing questions
but excused himself from entering
into much detail, on the score of pressing
affairs awaiting his attention. Letting
day or two elapse for the sake of ap-
pearances, during which he found means
Of dispatching the small hoard from his
own house to Perez. he declared he must
be off to visit the country property and
his neglected ranch.
On the way he stopped to see Amy;
now at last he could visit her openly.
He had hardly been able to check his
burning Impotence till the time came.
What long and delicious talk they
held in one Of their fragrant bowers in
the garden on all the aspects of the case!
They sat again by the spring that had
befriended them, and looked off at the
distant mountain peak which seemed
covered with powdered sugar in the
warm tropical landscape. Since the
earthquake the basin no longer dubbed,
but in all other respects Las Delicias
had escaped intact. How often had
Amy sat there alone, a prey to the ter
rors Of her imagination! how often had
she fancied her friend lying dead in the
wild Barranca, his hapless corpse fitfully
illumined by the lava flames! She was
rapt with enthusiasm now at his mag
nifcent success. But all danger was by
no means yet over, as appeared when,
without betraying the secret of the po-
litical movement. he gave her an outline
of his plans. -..-. -s~ . ..., 81. ...,.
1--WE shall march in force from Rio
Frio," he said. ''There we shall, have
mules, and our porters will be trans
formed into fighting men. You'used to
profess a fancy. for the romantic. Well,
now ask you to look at us little in
that way, for surely there is an element
of romance in an expedition like ours"
"But you will be in danger-ah, you
smile; could never make that have any
weight with you; but-but you do not
wish to fight and sacrifice lives? Think
how badly you will feel when you reach
New York if anything of that kind has
happened"
"None but villains will try to stop us,
and they will deserve whatever happens
to them. The country will be all the
better for their taking off. No one shall
have this treasure while live"
"Oh, why will you talk sop she ap-
pealed, lamenting. els it not true that
all that man hath he will give for his
life?"
"Till this is over do not feel that l
have even begun to live," he replied,
gloomily But let us not discuss that.
Before long, | trust, we shall meet in
New York. When we meet there shall
have wonderful story to tell you; but
till them
Amy specialized tremblingly whether
this was to be at last a disclosure of lis
love for herself, q love she so greatly
craved
They spoke of Dona Beatriz.