Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-10-23
AN ABALONE'S SECRET.

less waters of the San Francisco Bay
flung diamonds and opals at such hu-
man eyes as CHANGED to look on them.
Two young people, who strolled
down to the Preside beach. however
had no glance to spare for anything
opals. For Lieutenant Anderson was
gazing into the depths of tke great,
soft. black eyes OF Miss Pachita de So
la, and Miss Pachita de Sofa was look
ing up into the ardent Glue ones of
Lieutenant Anderson. She seemed to
like it.
The tall young soldier. with the
fair hair. broad shoulders and square.
manly. Saxon face had not been long
released from the hard work and
RESTRAINT OF West Point. and in his new
freedom of army life went at things
with AN energy of desire that was
quite irresistible. Miss Pachita de
Sola found it so. as had half a dozen
other girls within as many months.
1t was a wholly serious business with
the lieutenant this time, though. He
weeks and this daughter of an ancient
though decayed. Spanish family. as
American in education and thought as
himself, was ravishing in her novelty.
Altogether femiuine Pachita; at one
moment child-like and cliuging; the
next worldly. witty. and mocking;
then. with the lids hiding those love-
ly. big eyes of hers, her whole aspect
suggested to young lieu
tenant with ample means to marry
possibilities OF tenderness unspeakable.
No wonder tn { when Miss Pachita
permitted Lieutenant Anderson to
gaze down into her eyes and returned
an answering long, long look. giving
little sigh. too. his nead went after
his heart which had been lost for an
eternity-that is to say, for two, ter
rife, sleepless weeks.
But the young lady was discreet
and, gently caasping his fingers. re-
moved them from her waist saying.
demuroly:
Don't pe foolish, John. Somebody
may be looking"
This, in city OF three hundred
thousand inhabitants and in full sight
OF the ever-vigllant garrison, struck
John rs being not improbable.
Instant in action. ~ became a SOL
der Lieutanant Anderson executed a
flank movement on a sand bank and
seated Miss de Sofa in its lee, on a
large. water-whitened. sun-dried log
of drift wood Then this consummate
tactician repeated the original attack.
with entire success
''Pachita oh my darling" breathed
the ecstatic lieutonant straining her
to his side aud Immediately showing a
disposition TO put a knee upon the
beach.
'Weh, John?" and the smile oflove
and gratifie.d vanity that smote his
eyes blinded them.
Name the day. oh, Pachita; can
not live till you do"
Pachita pursed her full red lips.
puckered the midnight eyebrows, and
considered profoundly. digging deep
into the sand with his cane the while.
The day. my own love-the dayw
gasped John.
Dear me-" Miss de Sofa exclaimed.
sudden v, what beautiful shells"
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.
The same sun was enriching the
dancing waters OF the Same bay with
diamonds and opals. A young couple
who strolled down to the Presidio
beach, admired the view very much
and Senorita Pachita de Sofa had no
occasion to remind the lieutenant by
her side that somebody might be look
inc. 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 cm6urcdderO. entirely out
OF sight Pachita de Sofa was niece
OF Commandante Don Luis Antonio
Arguello; and though he. Lieuten-
ant Juan de Echeandia, was a nephew
of Don Jose Maria, of the same name
one, even though an aristocrat has,
under all circumstances. to show pro-
per respect for his commanding officer.
Besides the Senorita Pachita had
twice refused his friendly offered hand.
1t was believed that her young affec-
tons were bestowed upon Ensign
Tiburcio Mendez at Monterey. though
this was not known to a certainty at
the Presidio.
Lieutenant Juan de Echeandia and
Senorita Pachta de Sola walked leis-
urely to the little wharf where that
wonderful vessel constructed but. re-
Gently by wandering British sailor.
lay preparing for voyage to Sausalito.
four leagues distant IL was n mar
velous boat with oars and sail. and
capable OF accommodating no less than
six persons. Don Luis Antonio Ar
gueilo himself had commanded her in
person on tho dozen passages which
she had made to the opposite shore for
timber.