San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-11-17
CHAPTER XXXIV.

We reached Alicante the 18th March,
after a long, tedious voyage. During
this time 1 had ample opportunity for
observing Mol, but with little relief to
my gloomy apprehensions. She rarely
quilted her fathers side, being now as
sympathetic and considerable of him in
his sufferings as before she had been
thoughtless and Indifferent. She had
ever a gentle word of encouragement
for him; she was ever kind and patient.
Only once. her spirit seemed to weary.
That was when we had been beating
about in the bay of Cadiz four days for
a favorable gale to take us through the
straits. We were ON deck, she and I, the
sails tapping the masts idly above our
heads.
"Oh," says she, laying her hand on
my shoulder and her wasted cheek
against my arm, ooh, that it were all
endedp
She was sweeter with me than ever
she had been before; it seemed as if
the love bred in her heart by marriage
must expend itself upon some one. But
though this tenderness endeared her
more to me it saddened me, and would
have had her at her tricks once more,
making mouths at my expense. For
began to see that our happiness comes
from within and not from without, and
SO fell despairing that ever this poor
stricken heart of hers would be healed,
which set me a-repenting more sincere
ly than ever the mischief I had helped
to do her.
As no such entertainments were to be
had, this being the season of Lent,
which is observed very strictly in these
parts, Dawson contented himself with
taking Moll out to visit the shops, and
here he speedily purchased pair of
clappers for her, tambour for himself
and a guitar for me, though we were
difficult to please, for no clappers pleased
Moll as those she had first bought, and
it did seem to me that could strike no
notes out of any instrument but they
had sad, mournful tone.
Then nothing would satisfy him but
to go from one draper's to another, seek
ing a short skirt waistcloth and a
round hat to Moll's taste, which ended
to his disappointment, for she could find
none like the old.
"Why, don't you like this?' he would
say, holding up a gown. ''To my eyes
tits the very image of t'other, only
fresher. "
And she, demurring, whispers, "To-
morrow, dear, tomorrow" with plain
tive entreaty for delay in her wistful
eyes.
Disheartened, but not yet at the end
of his resources, her father at last pro.
posed that she should take a turn
through the town alone and choose fol-
herself "For," says he, "I believe we
do rather hinder than help you with oul
advice in such Matters
After a moments reflection Mol
agreed to this, and, saying she would
meet us at the posada for supper, left
us, and walked briskly back the way We
had come.
When she was gone, Dawson had new
er word to say, nor either, for dejec
ton; yet, had been questioned, coult
have found no better reason for my de
spondency than that felt twas all 1
mistake coming here for happiness
Strolling aimlessly through the mar
row back ways, we came presently t.
the market that stands against the port
And here, almost mt the first step, Daw
son catches my arm and mods towart
the opposite side of the market place
Some MooTs were seated there in thei
white clothes, with bundles of youni
palm leaves, plated mp in various form
of crowns, crosses and the hke-whicl
the people of this country do carry t
church to be blessed ON Palm Sunday
and these Moors l knew came iron
Elche, because palms grow nowhere els
in such abundance.
eyes" says /, thinking twas thi
queer merchandise he would point out
81 noticed these Moors and their wa
when we passed here a little VIII -
with Moll 81
Don't you see her there nQI( ( $
corners" asks he.