The record-union., 1891-05-17
CHAPTER VII.

AS the music for the next square dance
summoned them back to the ballroom
Amparo's mothers eyes were rowing
over the crowd in search of her daughter
AS Guy and she came through the por-
there's the mothers fond eyes saw them.
AmparO's face was a picture; pink
bushes were flying like shadows over
the oval cheek, and her expressive eyes
were soft and dewy with feeling. Guys
face was radiant with happiness, and the
proud air of possession with which he
held Amparo'S hand on his arm was at
once noticed by the Sonora as she caught
their glances. Her heart nearly stopped
beating; thick mist of tears gathered in
her fine eyes. Marquis Del Norta seeing
her agitation, and not guessing the cause,
imagined she was Ill, and giving her his
arm led her into the conservatory. Leav-
ing her there he went quickly to the sup
per-room to order some iced wine. She
sank down on q seat near an orange tree
and the tears flowed freely for minute
or so; then recollecting where she was
she controlled her agitation. She hastily
dipped her handkerchief in a perfume
fountain spraying near, so, by the time
that the Marquis returned with the waiter
and the wine, she was able to greet him
with a smile of thanks and apologies
giving the heat of the room as the cause.
But her heart was very heavy in her
bosom. She knew now that her daugh-
were to bind her girlish heart. A glimpse
of her happy blushing face was enough.
She knew the king of love had claimed
his own; and the divine command.
Render to Cesar the things which are
Ceesar's," is law that love is always
willing to keep.
OF course her mothers love would al
ways be needed and appreciated but if
stern necessity required the mother, or
lover, to be given up, there would be no
question which. "a man nluSt give up
mother, father, sister, brother and cleave
to his Wife," And the woman that mar
ries gives her husband the first place in
her affections, without the command to
do it. 1t is the law Of her being-her ma
ture.
Amparo and Guy, not wishing to
dance the square dance, followed Sonora
Aneas, but the crowd coming in separated
them, so that when, at last, they reached
her side, she was quite calm, and greeted
them with her accustomed smile, and
the Spanish word 'ociasos'' (truants), the
silvery soft words sounding so sweetiy
from her lips.
Amparo thought her mother looked IA
tigued, and suggested leaving, saying:
Their Highnesses have just left, and we
lownesses had better follow suit" So
Guy saw them to their carriage. AS he
said adlos TO Amparo, he whispered,
s"Till tomorrow, my own"
AS their carriage rolled away Amparo
nestled up TO her mother and said, shyly
and sweetly: "Oh, mamma, am so
happy"
choking sob in her throat. II know all
about it,"
"All about what, mamma? Are you
mind reader?"
mo, darling, but I have my eyesight,
which is much surer than that occult
science"
"Well, mamma this in fond tone),
what do you think of Guy? / do love
him so dearly, and-and he wants me for
his wife. VIII you love him for my
sake? He is so noble, so good"
And the blushing face was laid on her
mothers breast. The Sonora, too deeply
affected for words, could not reply, her
silence giving anxious thoughts to AM
paro: But presently she said, straining
the dark head to her throbbing heart:
MY hearts best blood I would give to
see you happy. If you are so, it is well.
1 have nothing to say against it, only /
pray God you may be happy and his
blessing always be with you"
Amparo could only thank her with
warm kisses. little thinking how her
! mothers jealous heart lay like iron in
her breast; a weight that seemed to
strangle every sob that rose in her throat.
So it was blessed relief to the poor lady
to find the carriage at their hotel. And
Amparo was glad of rest and quiet to
| think over the evening with its treasured
bliss and loving memory.
They retired, the mother to cry, the
daughter TO dream of love and bliss.
1t was nearly ii o'clock when Amparo
awoke. Then calling her maid she made
her toilet for the afternoon.
Judietta came in about O'Clock to talk
over the ball. After kissing Amparo in
her warm, impulsive fashion, she held
her off at arms length, saying:
why how very, very happy you look
Had you good news from some dear one
far over the sea?n
No" said Amparo, blushing brightly.
DO look so very happy?"
All, then," said Judietta, shaking her
small head shrewdly, that Americana