St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-01-12

DADE'S DAUGHTER.

came TO NC the idthSi w C"NH =" '"'h-
~ little creature. The keepers
brown and weather beaten visage,
though picturesque after its fashion,
bore no resemblance to Joyce's sweet
face. for the lines about the mouth
and deep-set eyes gave to Dade's
rugged features an expression of
harsh, almost cruel, strength. Re-
served and taciturn, only the most
meagre outline of his past was
known. A few years before, having
attained the position of lighthouse
keeper, Dade had come from the
North with his daughter.
The stretch Of the blue water
which surrounded the island on
which the lighthouse stood, separ-
ated it from the old city, which lay
hidden from view by the high sand
dunes. Several times a day a small,
dinghy painted steam launch bore
its cabin-load of hot, tired, but
curious sight-seers, to inspect and
ascend the lighthouse. But before
reaching its precincts, short ride
across swampy and impossible
portion of the island was necessary,
rude car mounted on wooden rails,
had therefore been provided to take
the passengers across. This primi-
tive affair was drawn by an ancient
mule, whose driver was an olive
skinned, dark-eyed creole lad
Juan wasa waif, stray, without
relatives or friends. Chance had
given him his present position, which
he had been allowed to retain. As
a boy, his bright eyes and merry
laugh, which showed the white even
teeth, earned him many an extra tip,
and even now, tall stripping, whose
'lp was fringed with down, Juan
seemed as careless and inconsequent
as ever. say seemed, for at times
the creole was as desperately I'M
happy as only those in whose veins
runs the blood Of mixed races are
capable OF being.
1t was seldom that old Dade's
daughter left the island, except on
Sunday mornings, when, unaccom-
panied by her father, she went over
TO the city for church Seated in
Ole corner of the empty car, her
modest eyes demurely downcast,
Ioyce' beauty first impressed the
handsome young savage. For her
he had no quick jest or flashing
smile; a curious, confused awe re-
strained, silenced his ready tongue.
Yet he could not refrain from gazing
at the Madonna face, and at length
Joyce grew accustomed to the steady
regard of those dark eyes, whose en-.
treating, worshiping glance depre'
Gated her anger.
No words were needed-gradually
almost imperceptibly, silent under
standing grew up in each heart
Only, when on Sunday morning:
Ioyce was absent from her seat il
the car, then did Juan realize the in
security of his happiness, and tn,
slender props on which it depended
Yet with the reckless, sanguine trust
N fitness of his nature, he forgetsevery
thing in the delight of seeing he
again. To both, that weekly ride
IN the cool of the early morning, wa
the one delicious touch of romanc
in their monotonous lives.
Perhaps had they known eacl
other more intimately much OF tn
subtle sympathy might have beer
destroyed. Juan, in spite OF his nat
ural keenness, was densely, savagel,
ignorant; though his slender brown
fingers were supple enough when in
voking music from battered oil
banjo, they could scarcely write hi
own name.
On the other hand, while Joyce
lonely life made her eagerly crav
and respond to Juans mute worship
still she had ideaized his whole pei
Sonality. Perhaps she was vaguel
aware of this, and wished to retail
her Illusion.
Meanwhile time passed on, am
old Captain Dade saw, guessed, moth
ing. To him Juan seemed only on
type of a race he had despised; tn
easy, gracious courtesy of the creol
appeared cringeing and impertinenct
As much as possible he avoided meet
ing Juan, which was easily accom-
plished, as he seldom used the cal
One afternoon, however, Capt. Dad
decided he would have to go over
the city. The oil in the great lam
needed replenishing, and variou
other small purchases had to b
made. The day was very warm, an
as Dade stepped into the car, noe
ling curtly in answer to Juan
bright smile, he was irritably cor
scious of his own horid discomfor
contrasted with this young savage
cool condition.
ITS the rascals COMPOUNDED laz
ness he muttered to himself. III
does everything but work"
Meanwhile Juan, who with HI
quick instinct was uneasily consciou
OF Dade's prejudices, in vain tried t
conciiate him. The more he talke
the less the irascible old man like
him. Finally, with a sigh of relic
Juan watched him step into tt
steam launch
An hour or so later, when, havin
transacted his business, Dade pr
pared to return home, he was a
costed by certain Sanchez, Spar