Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-08

blossoms through the dark braids.
Again the servant entered, this time with q
casket and . note from Senior Pedro. II her
answer was yes she was to wear the inclosed
jewels and meet him near the orange grove be-
fore the house in half an hour She opened the
casket and taking from il rarer diamonds than
she had ever seen before she placed them on her
graceful neck and white rounded arms. Then,
when the half hour struck. she arose and.
winter than the orange blossoms, she went out
to where Senior Pedro, with a few guests near
him, paced slowly backward and forward
through the grove. With the first CLEAN of her
dress in the doorway he turned TO meet her.
He put out his hands, and stopping. kissed her
tenderly. Then drawing her hand within his
arm he announced her to his friends as his
future bride.
Celeste felt his protecting arms; she heard
the congratulations of the guests: the breath
Of the orange grove was sweet. and the whole
scene was fair to the eye. What more could
she ask?
Two years passed by, and the scourge Of vel
low fever swept the island, leaving many homes
desolate. At the villa Of Senior Pedro Viola
was the first victim. Her father. dying q few
hours after, was buried in the same grave with
her. Dolorite and Celeste were both attacked
with the disease, but slowly recovered.
One day Celeste was examining some of her
husbands private papers and che came to q
large envelope addressed to herself. Slightly
surprised she opened it. bitter cry burst
the contents. There were ten letters-she
counted them eagerly-from Robert, bearing
different dates, and directed to Celeste Halbert,
in Senior Pedro's care. They had all come be-
fore her marriage and were filed with en-
treaties and loving words. The last one babe
her farewell. saying he had received a letter
from Dolorite announcing her approaching
wedding. Senior Pedro had withheld them from
her, assisted, no doubt. by Dolorite. There
was no need of explanation. Pedro was dead.
He had loved her: she would not speak Of it TO
Doiorite.
But she made all haste to return to New
York. There was nothing to detain her now.
She had been for months widow and the wealth
she had once inherited from her father was n
mere pittauce compared with that she received
now. She would go at once and tell the truth
to Rob, even though he might be married and
care nothing for her now. Upon reaching
New York she set out at once for Beech River
The village was not situated on the railroad, it
was twelve miles from the nearest station
While waiting here for the carriage to take her
to Mr.. Drumgolds Celeste made some inquiries
concerning him of the woman in waiting.
Dear me.' was the answer. Why, YOU
couldn't have been here lately. ma am Mr.
Drumgold drank himself to death months ago
and left things in dreadful state. for the firm
failed few weeks since. Even the men a
wages were not paid and they are all in fearful
want. Young Mr. Drumgold hasn't the credit
to get him a barrel of flour even and the tam
merry families have lived on potatoes for two
weeks. II it had been the old gentleman the
house would have been burned over his head
before this. As it is the tannery has been fired
twice. but Mr.. DrumSold was on the watch and
he got the men to put it out. l wonder he don't
leave. but the house Is to pass into creditors
hands and he is waiting for it to be settled
Its not much OF place to visit at this time.
ma'am."
Celeste turned away. The carriage was wait
ing. II wish to go to some flour and provision
store" she said to the driver as che entered it,
They were soon reached, and Celeste purchased
large quantities at each, ordering them sent to
Beech River at once
When they came to the village she glanced
out and found the buildings were little changed
since she saw them, years ago. But the tam
merry was closed, and the men, in little knots of
two and three each, were gathered together
here and there, dark. almost desperate look
on their faces: There was a little store where
MIR. Drumgold had dealt out the necessaries of
life to those men, but 1t was closed. Celeste
halted as she drew near.
who has the key to this store?" she asked.
'God help us!' exclaimed one of the men.
ut matters little to us. But Ibelieve Mike has
it, ma am"
Il have it, answered the man designated as
Mike. But sorry thing to ate is there in it,
ma'am."
NO matter. You are to open it, for there
are flour and provisions on the way. Put them
In their places when they come; these men will
help You. Now" to the men who were crowd
ing about the carriage, shave you anything to
show what is due you for your labor?"
A score OF dirty slips Of paper were handed
to her at once; due bills, all bearing Rob-
name.
''These shall all be redeemed" she said, her
lips moving unsteadIy. And you are to ge.
whatever you wish to eat from the store be-
sides"
Some looked incredulous, some cried Sod
bless you"' and others seemed moody still
Celeste opened her purse and took from it a
handful of small coins. "You are to pay these
men for helping you, she said to Nike and she
dropped the gold in his hand.
Gold and they were starving! A Ioud shout
rent the air. Hats were tossed above their
owners heads and unsteady voices called down
blessings from heaven on their delivery.
The door was opened, she did not stop to
ring. She glanced through the long drawing
room: the one she sought was not there. She
fore the center table, his head bowed upon it.
His left hand hung by his side. his right grasped
something which giittered in the light which
came from the window. 1t was revolver.
80 Rob- Celeste called quickly, fearing it
was too LAKE.
He raised his head and disclosed a male
despairinS face.
"Oh, Rob- and the tears rained down her
cheeks. Il never received your letters, dear
they were kept from me, as / suppose mine
were from you. am widow now. And oh.
my darling, have loved you all the time
1t was long before he could understand her
long before he could believe the blessed truth.
But that evening. just before sunset, when
there was not hungry soul in Beech River, the
laborers were hidden to the lawn in front of the
mansion, and there before them all Rob and
Celeste were married
The tannery passed into other hands and when
Robs affairs were settled Satisfactorily he and
Celeste babe adeu to Beech River and went to
seek another home in the old world ''over the
sea-"