The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1891-11-27
AN ABALONES SECRET.
IN AUGUST, 1890.

Under the afternoon sun the restles
waters of San Francisco bay flung dit
monds and opals at such human eyes a
CHANGED to look on them.
Two young people who strolled dow
to the Preside beach, however, had n
glances to spare for anything so CON
monplace as diamonds and opals. Flo
Lieutenant Anderson was gazing int
the depths of the great, soft black eye
of Miss Pachita de Sofa, and Miss Pa
chita de Soda was looking up into tn
ardent blue ones of Lieutenant Ande1
son. She seemed to like it.
The tall young soldier with the fai
hair, broad shoulders and square, mani.
Saxon face, had not been long released
from the hard work and harder restrain
of West Point, and in his new freedom
of army life went at things with al
energy of desire that was quite irresist
ible. Miss Pachita de Sofa found it so
as had half dozen other girls within az
many months. 1t was wholly serious
business with the lieutenant this time
though.
He had been in California but few
weeks, and this daughter of an ancient
though decayed Spanish family, al
American in education and thought as
himself, was ,ravishing in her novelty
Altogether feminine Pachita; at one
moment childlike and cllnging; the next
worldly. witty and hooking; then, with
the lids hidi g those lovely, big eyes of
hers, her whole aspect suggested-espe
so11 10
to marry-possibilitie of tenderness I'M
speakable.
No wonder that when Miss Pachita
permitted Lieutenant Anderson to gaze
down into her eyes and returned an an
swering look, giving little sigh, too,
his head went after his heart, which had
been lost for an eternity-that is to say,
for two terrific, sleepless weeks.
But the young lady was discreet, and,
gently clasping his fingers, removed them
from her waist, saying demurely:
Don't be foolish, John. Somebody
may be looking"
This, in city of 100000 inhabitants
and in full sight of the ever vigilant
garrison, struck John as being not inn
probable.
Instant in action, as became soldier,
Lieutenant Anderson executed a flank
movement on sand bank and seated
Miss de Sofa in it's lee, ON large, water
swhitened, sun dried log Of driftwood.
Then this consummate tactician repeat
ed the original attack with entire sue
cess.
''Pachita, oh, my darling" breathed
the ecstatic lieutenant. straining her to
his side and Immediately showing dis
position to put a knee upon the beach.
"Well. John?" and the smile of love
and gratifed vanity that smote his eyes
blinded them.
''Name the day, oh. Pachita; cannot
live till you dol"
Pachita pursed her full, red lips, puck
cred the midnight eyebrows, and con-
sidered profoundly, digging deep into
the sand with his cane the while.
"The day, my own love-the day."
gasped John.
''Dear me-" Miss de Sola exclaimed
suddenly, "what beautiful shell"
Damn the she'll" cried Lieutenant
Anderson, reaching for what she had
unearthed, to cast it wrathfully out
among the unnoticed diamonds and
opals.
But he was restrained in wonder.
IN AUGUST, 1925.
The same sun was enriching the dane
ing waters of the same bay with dia-
monds and opals. A young couple who
'strolled down to the Preside beach adj
mired the view very much, and Senorita
Pachita de Sola had no occasion to re-
mind the lieutenant by her side that
somebody might be looking. Lieutenant
Juan de Echeandia would have liked
greatly to coil his arm about that slim
waist, but did not dare, though there
was only a small and sleepy garrison,
and no city at all behind them-only
the padres and Indians at the mission
Dolores, far over the sand hills, and .
cabin or two down at the embarcadero,
entirely out Of sight. Pachita de Sofa
was niece of Commandante Don Luis |
Antonio Arguello, and though he, Lieu
tenant Juan de Echeandia, was nephew |
of Don Jose Maria, Of the same name,
one, even though an aristocrat. has under
all circumstances to show proper re-
spect for his commanding officer. Be-
sides, the Senorita Pachita had twice re-
fused his friendly offered hand. It was
believed that her young affections were
bestowed upon Ensign Tiburcio Mendez
at Monterey, though this was not known
to certainty at the Preside.
Lieutenant Juan de Echeandia and
Senorita Pachita de Sola walked leisure
ly to the little wharf where that won
derful vessel, constructed but recently
by wandering British sailor, lay pre-
pairing for voyage to Sausalito, four
leagues distant. It was a marvellous
boat, with oars and sail, and capable
of accommodating no less than six per-
sons. Don Luis Antonio Arguello him.
self had commanded her in person on
the dozen passages which she had made
to the opposite shore for timber. Pre-
vious to the creation of this extraordi-
nary ship, which annihilated distance
and obliterated time, timber was hard to
get from Corte de MADEIRA. Soldiers
.~o,rA IN, IF Gan Jrco |