The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-04-23

ont to dry upon tho long platform prepared
for them. The senior spoke tolerable Eng
lish, and ne he converRed with Celeate In u
low voice something in his look and tone
struck her suddenly--was II a pnng or a
thrill Of 10Y? He loved her--she was vcry
SURE. Then she remembered that ShouHh
she had been u member OF his household
for more than n year. though she had been
mans power. he had nevor been nnpleas-
antly familiar. had never caused her to feel
her dependence In any way. Yet no was
ever thoughtful Of her comfort. She was
too warm, and the volapte was imme-
diately d avn into the shade. She WAS
thirsty. a glass of wine was at once forth
coming, brought by a slave ut her mastet's
bidding, together with a pomegranate ripe
and fair. She paled suddenly as these
things dawned upon her mind. Was tho
No, che was not weary. she told him. and
then she sighed.
"Th senorita ia sad them" he persisted.
"Sho is grieving for the friends she has left
behind"
She looked up into his eyes. There was
only tenderness in them now and it made
his whole face beautiful. She trembled;
was it fear or pain?
II am sad" she answered. desolately, and
she looked fur away to whore n white ship
was coming over the sea. Then she turned
and looked him full in the face with her
oASs 100. Dab ~ 40 " =
have no friends. They do not care for me,
though ! thought they loved me once"
Senior Pedro's face lighted with sudden
passion. $3.50
DO not say you have no friends" he
said. II love aud adore you, nv pale, pale
northern flower! BE my wife and l will be
more to you than all your false friends
oould be, we're they ever so true!''
He caught her hands and pressed il to
HIS lips. She glanced toward the sea, but a
mist came over her eyes. and the bright
tropical flowers near the roadside seemed
to blend like the hues of a rainbow and
shut everything else from her sight.
promise me!' he exclaimed eagerly.
promise mel" And he bent low to look
into her face.
But her thoughts wandered to the past
and the sad memory bells chimed, softly.
II will wait for you." Faint at heart she
answered him:
"I cannot tell you now; I am weary. i'll.
Please take me home!'
"To-night. then" he pleaded; "answer
me tonight"
Tonight" she echoed, and, with an
other kiss. he turned to conduct her to the
house.
When she reached it she threw herself
upon a couch, wishing she might never rise
again. Then for two hours she struggled
with her sorrow, alone. A servant entered
the room noiselessly and brought upon O
silver salver rich fruits. oranges and bana-
mas. with a cluster of Orange blooms in the
center. She knew whose watchful care had
sent them, aud she kissed the focal offer
ing, solemnly resolving to reward his love.
Dressing her hair, she carefully arrayed
herself in q rich dress of mingled black
and white laco ami drew the orange bios
SONS through the dark braids.
Again the servant entered, this time with
a casket and a note flom Senior Pedro. If
her answer was yes she was to wear the in
| o1puoI ioyvoto op1 ~ hi,~ rao~ The rpo~o
grove in front of the house in half an hour.
She orened the casket and taking from it
rarer diamonds than she had ever seen be-
fore she placed them on her graceful neck
and white rounded arms. Then. when the
half hour struck. she arose. and whittier 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
with n his arm he announced her to his
friends as his future bride.
Celeste felt his protecting arm; she heard
the congratulations of the guests; the
breath of the orange grove was sweet, ans
the whole scene was fair to the eye. What
more could she ask?
yellow fever swept the island, leaving man,
homes desolate. At the villa of Senol
Pedro Viola was the first victim. Hel
father, dying a few hours after. was buriec
in the same grave with her. Dolorite anc
Celeste were both attacked with the dis.
ease, but slowly recovered.
One day Celeste was examining some of
her husbands private paper and she came
to a large envelope addressed to herself.
Slightly surp 'ised she opened it. A bite,
cry burst from her lips when she brooks the
seal and saw tho contents. There were ter
lettarS-qia cDuntaH than aaoarlv--frop
Robert, bea ing different dates. and di-
rected to Celeste Halbprt, in Senior Pedro't
care. They had all come before her mar
riage and wee filled with entreaties ant
loving words. The last one babe her fare
well. saying he had received a letter from
Do!orite announcing her approaching we /
ding. Senior Pedro had withheld then
from her, assisted. no doubt, BY Dolorite
| There was no need of explation. Pedro wa
dead. He had loved her: she would no
speak of it to Dolorite.
But she made all haste to return to Nov
l York. There was nothing to detain he
, now. She had been for a months Il widow
l and the wealth she had once inherited from
: her father was q mere p%lttancs compared
! with that she received now. She would g,
l at once and tell the truth to Rob. evo'
though he might be married and care moth
4 ing for her now. Upon reaching Mex
York she set out at once for Beech River
The village was not situated on the rail
road, it WAS twelve miles from the neares
station. While waiting here for tho cal
ria2e to take her to Mr.. DIumgold's Celest,
( made some inquiries concerning him of tn
woman in Whiting.
r Dear me!' was the answer. why. 70
Q couldn't have been here lately, ma'an
MIR. d umgold drank himself to deaf
y months ago and left things in n d1eadfr
t state, foy the firm failed II few weeks since
Q Even the mems WAGES wera not paid az
they are all in fearful want. Young Mr.
Drumgold hasn't the credit to get him
Q barrel of flour even and the tannery fam
Il lies have lived on potatoes for two week.
" If it had been the old gentleman the nous
would have been burned over his head be
fore this. AS it is, the tannary has bee
g fred twice. but Mr.. Drumgold was on til
q watch und he got tho men to put it oot.
Y wonder he don't leave, but the house is I
r pas into creditors hands and no is waitin
Y for it to be settled. It's not much of
/ place to visit at this time, ma'am."
n Celeste turned away. The carriage We
3 waiting. II wish to go to some flour an
e provision store" she said to the driver
she entered it. They were soon ieache,
each ordering Them sent to Beech River
10 once.
When they came to the village che glance
out and found the buildings wore hit
changed since she saw them. years ap
10 But the tannery was closed, and the me
r. in little knots of two and three each, we
,s gathered together here and there, IA dar
" almos. desperate look on their faces. The
70 was q little store whore Mr.. Drumgoid ht
G. dealt out the necessnries OF life to tho
ia men. bur IL was closed, Celests haltea