Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-08-14
berto returns. shall be the first to see

Don Roberto had not received letter
from Amata for six months, but knew
he had no reason for anxiety as the mail
service was sadly imperfect.
Ills business was now completed to
his satisfaction, and his spirits rose as
ne lourneyed to the west coast to take
north-bound ship.
The voyage was pleasant, and early
one morning the ship entered the harbor
at San Pedro.
:. He hired horse and was soon gal
Looping over the shortest road to Amata's
home.
AS ne paused to water his horse in
the village several of his acauaintances
gathered about to welcome him.
Soon Lucia appeared clad in her
most becoming dress, and clasping
hands with him, laughingly remarked,
Oh, Senior, your journey to the great
city has made you fine gentleman, but
you had best stop to brush away the
dust or Senorits Amata will compare
you to the elegant Senior Casper"
Roberto flushed angrily and de-
manded. @why should you speak in
this fashion? Have you again ousr-
relied with him ?"
"Senor Casper, is no friend Of mine, :"
she replied. "But am sorry for you,
Don Roberto"
Some of the by-standers laughed at
this.
Hold my horse, will you?" he said
to q boy near him. Then drawing
Lucia aside, he demanded, what do
do you mear?" Her manner changed
instantly, and he thought there were
tears in her eyes.
Perhaps 1 was wrong in speaking
thus, but 1 wished to prepare you for
the meeting.
Senior Casper rode up to her house
this morning and I suppose is now
there. He often rides that way, and
they whispered together nearly every
Sunday after mass.
Roberto's face grew ashy and stern.
"Are you sure Of this?" he asked.
You may go and see for yourself, :"
she replied.
While they were talking she walked
up the street, and now stood in the ar.
Dor in her fathers yard. Then the IT.
tie hypocrite began to sob and tremble
and to declare that he would forever
hate her as the bearer of evil tidings,
and that she only told him because it
would be harder to hear it from the
men in the street.
When woman cries man is either
angry or distressed. And Don Roberto
was not angry. So he took her hand
and tried to soothe her; then rose say
ing, II shall go to lay rancho for few
days until have thought it over"
"When you return to the village"
she said, 'tcall for q few moments.
have something more to tell you.
He urged to hear it now, but she de.
clared she had not strength to say more
and added, ''You have suffered enough
already, Don Roberto" And in parting
gave him look that would have stirred
the pulses of a less susceptible man.
After three days he resolved to visit
Amata and assure himself that it al
was cruel mistake. But unfortunately
he stopped to call on Lucia.
She saw him coming in the distance
and hastily calling the man servant
she induced him to go to Senior Gas
per's room, as he was absent for the day
in another town, and to take therefrom
a stilletto on which his name was en-
graved, and which he carried in hi
belt on festive occasions. "Then," sh.
added, ride quickly to the door O.
Senorita Amata and drop this unob
served while you ask for q glass o
water. Do it we'll, return by another
road and will give you . large purs,
if you keep the secret"
He bowed, Eyes, miss, you are very
kind"
He had just gone when Roberto en-
tered. This time she was still more
adroit in poisining his mind against
Amata.
When he rose to go the servant wa.
we'll out of sight up the road and he did
not meet him.
Lucia's plot was successful.
When Roberto tied his horse before
Amata's door and turned to knock, he
saw the stilletto cleaning among the
flowers. Picking it up, he concealed it.
and, with heart full of bitterness, met
Amata with reproaches.
She did not comprehend them, and
he, supposing her COMPOUNDED by shame
did not wait for explanation, but rode
away US though pursued by the furies
The next day he met Casper on the
street and accused him of treachery.
Gaspar, half guessing the cause, an6
willing to do him an i'll turn. laughed
in boastful manner that confirmed hi
worst fears.
Then Don Roberto went to San Fran
cisco for few months. And when he
returned, somewhat the worse for dissi
patton, he fell prey to Lucia's wiles
And soon the report was abroad thai
they were to be married in June.
Amata's father grew worse and wa:
confined to his bed. Her devotion wal
untiring and she seldom left the house
The shopping was done by the ole
servant. One day in April she returned
from the village with the report O.
Roberto's engagement accompanied by
comments on Lucia's skill, which wa.
half guessed by few of the villagers
Amata listened in silence to the enc
of her story and then with white face
and trembling hands, rose and went
to her room. We need not follow
her. If you have loved, yor