Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1893-03-24

ner arms arOnu falry anu Mss hef
sadly. Iknew her, Elinor, my wlfc's
friend and the widow of our beloved
commander. She, too, was visiting
the fort At the hop the next evening
it dawned upon me that Fairy was no
longer a child, and that she was as
lovely as Ella (my wife) was when
first saw her and gave her my whole
heart.
But why did the girl look so wlst-
full !? went to where she stood.
"Fairy, Capt. Storey left last
night for California. am 30 sorry"
Elinor Aloe's arm tightened about
Fairy's waist. Although the dear
girl never flinched, yet her cheek
paled. Elinor knew then, l think,
what Fairy's secret was.
care you blind Captain 7" she
asked me one day. To save my soul
couldn't see what she meant.
She was a lovely woman of about
thirty-five, with face sweet and sym
pathetic, and carriage like queen.
She suggested that we pay visit to
her home in Santa Barbara, and see
Yellowstone on our way back. We
readily consented.
cannot tell you of that trip over
the Rockies. was inspired, uplifted,
awed. When deep emotions pass
over us we are sometimes left speech
less.
Thus with me, felt my disadvan-
tage; but words failed to express the
grandeur of those snow-capped peaks,
as they raised their jutted sides to the
blue sky. The deep canyons where
thousands of feet below flowed the
Colorado--ah, how clearly it showed
us that perseverance will wear away
the hardest obstacle, aye, even ada
mant. The Mexican costumes still
cling about Santa Barbara and seem
to instill the air with vague, sweet
novelty. In this quaint city of roses,
SO like beloved Italy, l left my darl-
ing in Mrs. Aloe's tender care. while
Itook trip up the coast. When l
met Hal at Frisco. 1 tell you, ] felt
my torty-three years lightly.
Hal went back 20 Santa Barbara
with me. was telling him how in
the last year Fairy had dropped. She
was so dear to me, and SO was my
friend, and l could not keep the tears
back. Hal walked down TO the beach
and back again.
"Bertie," he said at last, "I am an
old fool, but lost my heart to Fairy
that summer spent at your home"
"Why, man, you are old enough to
be her father!" exclaimed.
81 am not yet forty, Bertie," he
said. "Of course, know ! can never
VIII HCi sno 10 10 ldi tOofC ho 40 eiS
stars. But do love her. 1t came to
me late, but it Is real and earnest,
Bcrtie."
looked at Hal. He did not look
old. The brown curls were untouched
by times silver pencil. The unlined
face, merry blue eyes and stalwart
figure showed man in the fulness of
his prime. After Hal had spent a
few days in Santa Barbara, he said to
to me:
"Why don't you marry Mrs. Aloe?
Size is alone; so are you and Fairy.
She needs woman's care; and Mrs.
Aloe is such a perfect lady,"
/ pondered over his words. As
Fairy seemed better, we tarried in
Santa Barbara until nearly five months
had passed. l was walking on the
beach one day wheu l saw Mrs. Aloe
coming towards me.
s.Elinor," / said, 81 am blunt old
soldier, and buried my heart in Ell
las grave. But have deep, loyal
regard for you and you are alone.
Fairy and need you. Will you he
my wife?"
Elinor placed her hand in mine, and
we we went TO the old mission church
and were married there and then.
We saw Fairy as we came in, sitting
on the veranda, gazing out OH the vast
Pacific.
"Fairy," / said, "this is my wife,
my mother!" And l left the
two-dearest to me on earth-to-
gether.
We passed the summer in the Yo-
semitic, where nature shows herself in
majestic beauty. Capt. Storey was O
frequent visitor to our home. Never
by look or action did he betray his
secret. With pain l observed that
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