The record-union., 1894-09-04
I" NESTORA."

ttOp rrtSOn.
A large, old-fashioned. neg glected gar
den; flowers growing rank and unculti-
waited; roses twine their thorny stems
amid the various creeping vines, clasping
the clambering honeysuckle in tight
embrace.
Sweet and cool the air sweeps after the
burning heat Of noon; slanting shadows
lay dark and long across the crisp green
grass.
There is no noise nor hustle in this
quiet, peaceful little town of Santa Bar
bara; nothing to disturb Nestora's wan
dering thoughts as she lays, stretched
lazily upon her back, watching, with
dreamy, half-closed eyes, the white trum-
pet flowers overhead which slowly swing
and sway back and forth, filling the air
with a sweet, sickly perfume, around
which fits on tireless wing magnificent
butterfly, until finally it poises upon one
of the creamy blossoms. Indifierently
she watches the gorgeous wings open and
close Then the girl, in silent misery,
turns her dark eyes toward the heavens,
to lower them again, catching between
two rows OF small white teeth the full,
red neither lip. The agony gnawing at
her heart is unbearable. She turns partly
upon her side.
Adown the wide, white road comes the
click. clack of donkey's little hoofs. The
drowsy droning of bees and humming OF
insects WOO her into reyerie. She H.
dulges in retrospection, and rambles
over the past six years OF her life, since
the day she was brought, an orphan.
from Vera Cruz. And here her aunt had
given her a home-nay, heaven, for 1t
was where she first met ham. Together
they had played, romped, hshed ana
al Il h of
Santa Barbara. Those joyous days!
Those happy days!
The closed eyelids culver and two
crystal drops roll forth, whilst the tightly
compressed lips tremble in a vain en-
deavor to check tne choking sobs. The
firm, round, beautiful bust heaves, and
presses closer against the ground. Then,
with a sudden gush OF rage she clutches
the grass, tearing il up in handfuls from
the earth. Again and again her slender
fingers dig into the soil until, exhausted,
she lies face downward, clasping her
hands above her head, groaning and
muttering, Amor, mi amorW
Motionless she lies, the occasional up
heaving OF her shoulders the only evil
dence that she is a living thing.
Suddenly the long, harsh whistle of the
incoming steamer pierces and echoes
through the sleepy town, frightening the
gold and scarlet butterfly from its resting
place. Yet still she stirs not.
Soon a hand is laid softly upon her
down-bent shoulder.
Dear child, the steamer is in. Come
with me and prepare TO meet them."
With an angry, impatient shrug, the
kind hand is shaken of. Still the old
aunt is not offended. Again she touches
the shapely shoulder. Kneeling down
she draws the noble head toward her.
Darling, whom 1 love. for my sake
to please me, hide this grief You are
young and do not understand mans
tickle nature. Do not, L pray you, let
them read your heart"
The girl turns swiftly, laying her head
upon the old wonan's bosom. torrent
OF unchecked sobs shake her convul-
sively.
.'You know best aunt. Forgive me.
am wicked, wretched, half-mad. Help
me to bear it, What shall l do? Oh,
what shall do?"
She arises and stands pressed tight
against the true motherly breast, whilst
the brown, wrinkled hand smooths
lovingly, soothingly, the dark tangled
hair.
two young people stood upon the deck
of the steamer "Corana." There was
silence between them. At certain times
speech is unnecessary. The man, strong,
reliant young fellow, watched with ILL
concealed boredom these fast-filling orbs
his sweethearrs warm, southern eyes,
and which conveyed more meaning than
the most eloquent flow of words. saying
plainly in their mute appeal, do not
forget" In alarm he anxiousIy scanned
those unshed tears, for, like all mankind,
he had an actual dread of such womanly
weakness. And then the crashing, quiv-
ering gong sounds, warning visiting
friends to go ashore. The din beat duh
and painfully against Nestora's aching
heart.
An old woman, clothed in somber
widows weeds, threw both arms about
his neck and wept upon his shoulder.
He kissed her fondly and then, some
what abashed, gave a little peck at his
affianced sweet lips.
Manuel is awkward IN this, his first
love affair.
Now, don't be getting the blues, Nes-
tora l will soon return. A year is not
long in passing. Please cheer my mother
up. Don't let her miss me too much.
Poor motherP
The girl nodded; she could not answer.
Those rebellious tears had burst all
bounds, and were trickling down upon
her trembling hands. She heard her
auntS voice murmur: "Good-by, my
son; God bless youi" Then she blindIv
CROPPED her way down the steep, narrow
gang-plank. to linger long upon the de-
serted wharf waiting passionate kisses
appear ed but tiny speck upon the
horizon. Then the two fond women
turned, with wet eyes and bowed heads,
homeward, the elder leaning heavily
upon the girls strong, young arm, which
lends such willing support to the feeble
footsteps.
In due time Manuel wrote, describing
in bright. breezy language, his new life
in San Francisco, where be had been Of
fered and accepted the junior partnership
with his uncle, wholesale liquor mer-
chant. The letters were at first frequent.
filled with wonderful and glowing ac-
counts of the gay and busy metropolis.
but by degrees they Jagged, and there
was decided air of restraint about them
which caused the gentle old mother un-
easiness and Nestora's heart to ache with
a strange foreboding. And then the mys-
1ery cleared. a brief note came, stating
that during his absence he had found the
affection he entertained for her was
merely that of a brother, and concluding
by asking her to be sensible and gener-
onsly give him his freedom, as he had
met one whom he loved madly and
wished to make his wife.
The girl answered Immediately, grant
ing him his wish, and in few graceful,
well-chosen words wished him joy and
prosperity. Her blood seemed turned to
ice her heart to stone. Whatever Man
uel's feelings i'll the past were, she, in all
earnestness, had given him the best and
only love OF her life,
And now the steamer is at the wharf
with Manuel and his bride on board
Ten minutes later serene-faced girl is
welcoming the new arrivals, not trace
OF recent grief or passion visible upon her
calm, beautiful countenance.
.sHello NeStaio