Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-12-17

nNoC1lIS, anu the CuINluS lips, LOEuluS'
in Solomon's words, "a thread of scar
let on the creamy softness of her skin.
They rowed three or four miles down |
the lake, keeping sometimes near enough |
shore to be almost within the shadow of |
the hills. and at last entered lovely |
miniature bay. where an opening in the |
heights gave a glimpse of cultivated |
fields and the group of buildings belong
ing to a ranch Here they disembarked,
and, while Don Maurizio went to trans
act his business with the ranchero, Der
went found a shady nook arranged the
boat cushions in a seat for Dona Zarifa,
and placed himself at her feet, while
Juan kindled fire at a little distance,
where he proceeded to make coffee, to
warm chicken (by holding it on pointed
stick to the fire. and to toast bread in
very def. manner
And what do you think of our lake
Senior Derwent%' asked Zarifa at last
for the spell of silence seemed still to
hang over Derwent.
He reused himself with a start at the
sound of her voice
Il think" he replied, that it is like
everything else at Mirafores-simply
perfect. Do not laugh. do not believe
that am speaking in exaggerated com
| pliment. | mean just what | say
! Whether the place Is enchanted or
whether | am | don't know. but GER
| tainly there seems to me no flaw or
blemish anywhere. | have never before
known anything half 30 charming, and
it makes me almost sad to feel that |
must soon go back to the commonplace
| world where all this" he made COM
| prehensive sweep of the hand-"will
seem as distant and unreal as vision of
sleep"
Il am glad that you think so we'll of
Mirafores," she said. smiling. LAS for
going-wel. suppose that after awhile
you will have duties to call you away
But you can surely return again2 Our
gates are always open to our friends.
at is very good of you to include me
in that class" he said, flushing little.
Il feel it deeply, for what do you know
of me7 | may be the merest adventurer.
a man unworthy of your notice or &C
quaintance, for aught you can tell.
Why, your father has not even once
asked me who am since | have been in
his housed Such hospitality is fairly
Arabian
oh, no" she said, lit is only Mexican.
And why should he ask you such ques-
ton? In the first place, you were in need
of help; that was reason enough for
opening his doors to you. And in the
second place, do you think that he does
not know gentleman when he sees him?
My father has not always lived at Mira
flores. senior.
Your father is the truest and the
finest gentleman have ever seen" said
Derwent, quickly 81 think that with
one glance he could judge man But
such is his courtesy that if the judgment
were unfavorable the subject of it would
never be made aware that it was so.
! Not without need. but with need nc
man can be more frank than my father. .
Il am sure of that too. And frank
ness is a virtue | 80 much admire that
J can do no less than practice it. Dor
l Maurizio has asked me nothing. as
said. but hope that he will feel interest
enough to listen to an account of how
> and why | chance to be in Mexico"
II am certain that he will listen with
t interest to whatever you care to tel
t him" said Zarifa, but you must moi
: suppose that there is any need for you tt
, explain. Did you not say-or. imply
' when speaking to Padre Francisco anG
: myself. that there was something in the
Y nature of an affair Of honor in wha
g brought you here2 In that case no on
] would even wish you to speak of it"
y Il said that desired to make money
: and make it quickly. in order to pay
t debt of honor" he answered But
must not leave you under a mistaken
e impression. 1t is debt of honor mas
:: much as honor is deeply involved in it
:, but it is also debt that will ruin m!
mother and myself if we must make i
9 good out of our fortune. So that hav
" to consider the happiness of one paren
" and the honor Or
d He paused abruptly Had he spoke
a the two words trembling on his lips
d He hardly knew. He only knew that b
met look Of what seemed to him divin
Q sympathy and comprehension in the eye
" that rested on his own for an instan
? and then gazed away over the broad
D dazzling surface of the lake.
}, Il see-I understand" said the sol
u voice very quietly. 'There is doubl
Al necessity-to save both fortune an
y honor. Well, senior, | hope that Mexic
may give you the means to do boil
d And it may be we'll that you shoul
a speak openly to my father of your wishe
If He may be able to direct your attentio
D to something as good as the Buena E
u peranza."
10 ii could neither ask nor expect that
70 said Derwent quickly. at would seel
like specializing on his kindness"
le The dark eyes met his now with
1t glance of reproach- do you know
y greater pleasure than that of helping al
t. other over some obstacle or troubles
le she asked "Can any one know great
IS pleasure2 Why. then. should you wis
N to deny it to my father? If he can he
+. you he will am sure of that.
to Derwent did not reply for minut
le Then he said dreamily: II find it stran,
re to remember what strong instinct, a
n preaching to an inspiration, led me
IN Mexico It seemed a wild thing. l b;
~ no knowledge of the country, l did n
1pdo,-Sfop6 tho lanUracra | had NOT