The record-union., 1894-09-04


ceived them with ill-concealed indiaer-
ehce, constantly growing restive under
the ardent embraces OF her adoring young
husDand-caresses which Nestora hum
gefed madly Tor, and in passionate anger
sne reoeiled against unjust fate.
thus two weeks had passed away and
their visit was quickly drawing TO
close. Nestora looked forward to their
departure with mingled feelings Of relief
and bltterest pain.
Helen could scarcely restrain her eager
ness 10 be gone and mingle once more IN
the fashionable circles OF san Francisco.
Inc quiet little town of Santa Barbara
she found essentially wearisome. and
ionged To show her big blue eyes and soft
golden hair to her former numerous and
no doubt broken-hearted admirers.
finally the day of parting came.
ManuePs wife forced a few tears from
her eyes as she kissed Nestora good-by.
with many lnjunctionS to visit them In
San Francisco.
once more the two women iinger upon
the wharf, watching the tall form of
Manuel and the small figure beside him
waving tiny square of lace as parting
salute.
Nestora's life ran on; calm sorrow
mas settled upon her life which she has
not the strength to struggle against rem
dering her hitherto passionate nature
beautiful as the devoted tenderness which
sne bestowed upon the aged, intirm
mother OF the man she loved. Together
they would slowly wander, hand in
nand, along the sea-kissed beach. and,
hnd!ng seat upon some great low rock,
would sit Tor hours without speaking.
Zach knew the others Thoughts were
with the young lad who, only a short
time since, had run along the shore, his
wlnd-tossed hair, his great dark eyes
allght with health and strength. The
coarse shirt dragged open at the neck.
displaying the broad, young chest and
shapely, sun-browned throat.
SO they would sit and dream until the
stars came twinkling out, rejecting their
tiny dotsupon the restless water. Then,
perhaps, Nestora would draw the gray
head OF her aunt and rest it lovingly
upon her shoulder before going home
ward.
Near the close of another summer there
came letter-a proud letter-stating that
little daughter was born to the young
couple, after which long silence of
nearly six months, and then came wild,
lncoherent, rambling epistle from Man
uel, begging Nestora to come without de-
lay TO San Francisco. Nestora obeyed.
A haggard, white-faced man met her,
whom the girl found hard to recognize as
her handsome cousin. His clothes were
In disorder, his eyes wild and bloodshot.
He grasped both her hands and wrung
them.
This is kind. knew you would come,
dear. You are always good: always good
and true. God bless YOU"
Without another word he hurried her
into a carriage, which conveyed them
rapidly to the pretentiouS home of the
young merchant. Manuel assists his
cousin to alight, and in silence conducts
her up the wide entrance stairs. Not one
word is spoken until they reach lux
uriously- furnished apartment Manuel
wheels low, soft chair toward her. She
takes the glass of wine which he offers
her, and watches him fill another with
raw brandy, which he tosses Oft at one
gulp.
With bitter smile he notes her look of
surprise.
Let nothing alarm you, Nestora. That
stuff is the only thing which has kept
me from going quite mad"
lie suddenly touches bell, to which
response matronly- looking woman ap-
pears, bearing in her arms bundle of
flannel and cambria, which Sue deposits
carefully in ManuePs arms.
Thank you, Mrs. Burton; you NAV
retire.
After the door closes he turns to Nes-
tora
This is why 1 sent for you: to take and
be mother to my daughter"
In an instant Nestora is pressing the
infant TO her breast.
'Oh, now understand. You have lost
your mother, darling" pressing soft
kisses upon the brow and lips. Poor
Manuel" looking up with streaming
eyes. II am so sorry. Did Helen suffer
much before she died ?"
For answer her cousin laughed aloud,
She shrank back in terror. The shock of
his wife's death had undoubtedly driven
him mad. 1nstinctively her arms tighten
around the child.
mo, Nesta," he answered, quick to
read the signs of fear; Il am sane, though
l have had trouble enough to drive an or
binary man raving. My wife is not dead.
Would TO God she were, and 1 knew she
was lying pure ana calm within the
grave. She has left me-hed, eloped
with one who was my dearest, most
trusted friend"
Nestora regards him in silent horror.
Forgive me, dear; such wickedness is
unknown to women like you. However.
was mpelled to tell you. Now you
can perhaps guess the reason why I sum
moned you hither. Will you take this
child back with you to Santa Barbara?
viii you and my mother raise it in what
you know is the proper way?"
And you?"
ZIP" indiferently; "what matter?n
you will not harm her?v
mot l. She is not worth an honest
mans anger. Both her and her paramour
are safe from me; needless to waste time
discussing them"
That night Nestora slept with the soft
little babe in her arms, it's small, round
head resting upon her warm, young
bosom.
Two years have sped their flight.
Nestora lives alone with the little child,
who has grown into sturdy, prattling
thing.
The dear old aunt and grandmother
has been resting in her grass-grown grave
now nearly six months.
Nothing could surpass the alteration
with which Nestora regards her Young
charge, whose dusky eyes and soft rings
of brown hair reminded her so torcibIy
of Manuel.
She is seated upon the vine-screened
porch, watching the sun descend in
mass OF splendor. Manuel's child is
playing at her feet The clink of the gar
den gate causes her to glance up sudden
ly. A ragged, dust-covered woman ap-
proaches her. Drawing nearer, nearer,
Nestora arose, expecting to he requested
for aims. She noticed with pity the hol-
low eyes and sunken checks of the
stranger. For moment the poor creature
paused, and, with a wasted hand press ed
tightly to her chest, coughed so cruelty
that it seemed to tear the fraii body in
twain. The girl hurries towards her,
but, as she meets the haggard eyes, re-
coils. Something in this woman's face
brings back painful recollections and in
perplexity. mingled with strange fear,
in silence she regards her until the other
smiles family.
Il see you do not recognize me, for if
you did. no doubt, like the rest of the
world, you would turn your back to
me-"
Then in flash Nestora knows who
stands hefora her Helanf Yes this