The record-union., 1891-05-10
AMPARO'S MISTAKE.
written for the SUNDAY UNION by Len.l
CHAPTER I.

Girls, is itnot elegant; no more lessons,
no hateful examinations, but years Of rest
and fun?" And the speaker sighed con-
tentedly as she tossed her French book
aside. Zone week, and then, girls, can
you realize it? 1 doubt the evidence of
my senses" said Belle Corie, beautiful
blonde. Senses" chorused the crowd.
Never had any TO doubt, had your"
These girls were all boarders at Madam
De Rochefort's seminary in staid old
British town. There were sixty girls, all
of them on their last term. The follow
ing week would see them scattered to
their homes, or their various life voca-
tions. On this July morning the girls
were awaiting their 6 o'clock breakfast
and chattering like a group of magp1es,
neither the madam nor her pupil teachers
having yet put in an appearance, so there
was no restraint on the happy crowd as
they talked delightedly of the end Of all
restriction and stiff rules made for
''buckram girls" as they laughingly
said.
There was much giggling in the corner
OF the large room amidst group of ten
girls, the youngest of which was giving a
graphic account of a night raid on the
pantry after the cook had retired from
the scene of her culinary labors. Pretty
Belle Arnott was saying, You should
have seen Kate. She did look too funny.
We could not find knife. The door was
locked, and Kate said she could slip
through the aperture used to pass dishes
through. We let her try, and she stuck
half way"
ooh, graciousw said the girls in a
breath, ''what did she do?''
DON'T interrupt and I will tell you.
Why, we just peeled her skirt off and she
fhTNIIDh lry1if
back, and we tiptOed upstairs, each with
slice Of bread and cake plastered with
marmalade."
Well, | must say you were mean not
to tell u.s." said Mable Black,
'Hush," said a warming voice. Here
comes the late Madam De Rochefort.
She will apply study plaster if she
finds you out" And the girls sprang
TO their feet to wish madam "6on jour"
III return for the graceful bow that in
cluded all.
The big bell rang, and the pupils and
teachers filed into the neXtroom for pray
ers, after which breakfast was served.
The long dining table looked like q
flower bed with its border of fair, fresh
tOwer-like faces. The flower of them
all was our heroine, Amparo Arenas, her
beauty inherited from long line of Span
ish ancestors, renowned for their pride and
beauty. Tall and straight as an arrow,
with glorious dark eyes that mirrOwed
every thought of the warm-loving heart;
complexion clear and dark with bright
bloom Of crimson, and white, even teeth
and red lips. In her studies at the head
of all her classes, and in music SignOr
Dana had given her unqualified praise
for diligence, execution and expression.
Her warm heart held no germ Of van
ity, or a desire to be thought ahead of her
associates; beloved by all, ready for fun,
and quick at repartee.
She was looking forward to the close of
her school days with some regret for the
happy hours past, but hopes Of bright
future.
Her mother, her only living relative,
had written that Ahe would be present at
her graduation, and then they were to
prepare for an European tour. This
Amparo had been looking forward to for
the last year
Her mother was wealthy, and all her
love and hopes were centered in Amparo,
who returned her mothers love with ali
the ardor of her nature, at once clinging
and loyable.
To return to the girls. They were now
filing one by one upstairs to prepare for
their work. Claudio Brown, mischiev-
Gus girl, had reached the top landing
first, and was peering cautiously over
the bannisters. In her hand she held a
line, on the end of which dangIed fish
hook, with quick movement of
l4lt WtiSl. IL ubScGuu6u ldlT on the mead
gear Of one OF the pupil teachers, where
II caught 4 low laugh resounded
through the hall, as the whole structure
arose to the occasion, and hung in mid
air, leaving the head it had covered as
bare as the large knob on the French
masters cane. Amparo saw it as she
came along the hail, and, springing
lightly on the outside stair edge she dis
entangled the now rapidly ascending
coitture, restored it to its bewildered
owner, and without waiting for thanks
hurried on.
Hurry up, girls, for to-day we decide
on our last supper-the time and place.
mean,o said Belle COrie, as they trooped
along the wide corridors to their rooms.
Yes, | know we ought to-" said Am
paro; but l say, girls, it is shame to
tease the Campbell even if you don't like
her"
who made the camel hump her back
nOw2n asked Belle. "Show me the girl -
she continued, ''and by my 'halidom' I
viii hug her"
Claudette Brown only shook her own
crop of brown curls and sang in q low
voice:
80 fisher sat on the river bank and fished
with line and hook.
oh, all the fish catch said he, T'll take
'cm home and cook"
Thus, chattering and laughing, they
We're soon equipped and on the road to
Fort Point
Walking in couples and guarded on
either side by dragons" as Belle called
the teachers, madam herself walking at
the head to ward off or intercept glances
from any Of the male persuasion"
Arriving at the beach they were al
lowed to break ranks, and soon, in vari-
Gus groups, they were discussing the
pros and cons OF their projected feast.
Now, girls" said Amparo, next
Wednesday madam will be at a dinner
party, and / suggest that then will be the
time"
Our room the place for meeting" said
Belle.
Yes, bring your donations, and when
nights starry mantle is thrown DER
mother earth Wen be dar,'' said Clau-
dette Brown, as she skillfully sent a peb-
bic skipping over the calm, silent waters
of the bay.
u wonder, girls" said Mable Black,
IF, after next week. we will all ever meet
again, or viii we live forgetting and for
gotten by each other"
or" interrupted Belle. "be the OBJ
served of all observers for one happy
night, and then sink like this stone into
oblivion and silence"
NO danger of silence for you" said
Claudette; "but we will leave n circle.
ever widening of admiring, sorrowing
friends, and, probably, break our hearts
on matrimonial shores"
oung ladies,' said Miss Campbell
now coming up, ''are you talking of our
parting?"
Yes, " said Claudette softly, "tis sad
that our parting with you) must be-"
Well" continued Miss Campbell,
you must all remember that your edu-
cation is just beginning, and trust that
IN the great ledger there will be no bad
marks against YOU"
Um," muttered Belle, ''if you have q
chance and pencil you viii want to as