The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-03-15


sadly. knew her, Elinor, my wife's
friend and the widow of our beloved
commander. She, too, was visiting
the fort At the hop the next evening
it dawned upon Inc that Fairy was no
longer child, and that she was as
lovely as Ella (my wife) was when |
frat saw her aud gave her my whole
heart.
But why did the girl look 40 visit
full ? went to where she stood.
"Fairy, Capt. Storey left last
night for California. am so sorry"
Einor Aloc's arm tightcncd about
Fairy's waist. Although the dear
girl never ilinchcd, yet her cheek
paled. Eliuor knew then, think.
what Falry's secret was.
care you blind Captain p she
asked me one day. To save my soul |
couldn't sec wha, she meant.
She was a lovely woman of about
thirly-five, with face sweet aud SYM
pathetic, and carringe like a queen.
She suggested that we pay a visit to
her home in Santa Barbara, aud see
Yellowstone on our way back. We
readily consented.
cannot tell you of that trip over
the Rockies. was inspired. .uplifled,
awcd. When deep emotions pass
over us we are sometimes left speech
less.
Thus with me, felt my disadvan-
tagc; bat words failed TO express the
grandeur of those snow-capped peaks,
IA they raised their juttod sides to the
blue sky. The deep canyons where
thousands of feet below flowed the
COlorado--ah, how clearly IL 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 n vague, sweet
novelty. In this quaint city of roses,
so like beloved Italy, left my darl-
ing in Mrs. Aloe's tender care. while
took Il trip up the coast. When |
met Hal at Frisco, tell you, | felt
my torty-lhrec 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 could not keep the ,curs
back. Hal walked down TO the beach
aud back again.
"Bertie," he said ,t last, al am an
old fool, but lost my heart 10 Fairy
that summer spent at your home
"Why, man, you are old enough to
be her faihcr!' exclaimed.
al am not yet forty, Bertie," he
said. "Of course, know can never
win her; she is as far above me "a the
stars. But ! do love her. Ii came to
me late, but it Is real and earnest,
BERTHE"
looked at Hal. lie did not look
old. The brown curls were untouched
by times silver pencil. The unlined
face, merry blue eyes aud stalwart
figure showed a man in the fulness of
his prime. After Hal had spent n
few days in Santa Barbara, he said TO
to me:
"Why don't you marry Mrs. Aloe?
She is alone; so are you aud Fairy.
She needs II woman's care; and Mrs.
Aloe is such perfect lady,"
pondercd over his words. A.
Fairy seemed better, we tarried in
Santa Barbara until nearly live months
had passed. | was walking on the
beach one day When | saw Mrs. Aloe
coming towards me.
"Elinor," l said, 81 am a blunt old
soldier, and buried my heart in El-
las grave. But | have II deep, loyal
regard for You and you are alone.
Fairy and need you. Will you lie
my wife,"
Elinor placed her hand in niue, and
we we went 10 the old mission church
and were married there aud then.
We saw Fairy as we came in. sitting
on the vcranda, gazing out on the vast
Pacific.
Fairy" I said, "ihis is my wife,
MY motherw Aud | left tho
two-dcarest to me Oh carth-to-
gcther.
We passed the summer in the Yo-
semitic, where nature shows herself in
majestic beauty. Capt. Storey was a
frequent visitor to our home. Never