The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-10-23

chita, and when he reached her side
she had stepped from the trail to allow
him to pass-he dismounted and walked
on with her, speaking in his broken
Spanish of the scenery, then leading
her on until she told him of her life and
questioned him of the land of the In
gtesi, of which she had but vague
idea.
And this was the beginning. AS the
days drifted slowly by and passed into
weeks, they met again and again, and
1t happened, they knew not how, that
on certain days of the week, while the
sun was sinking at the back of the
mountains, they we're attracted from
different directions to the ruins of an
old house surrounded by stone wall
that stood in a little canon at the edge
of the valley, and it was there that
Marsden, little by little, without know
ing it, and, without meaning to, won
the heart of Chuchita. At first he
would have laughed at the idea of max
ing love seriously to her, and he sought
her company only as source of amuse-
ment; for it was dull enough at the
mine now; even his work kept him en-
ployed only few hours day. But
after while the languor of that land
of the south came over him, and he
dreamed of what life would be with her
if he could only forget the world and
remain forever in those everlasting
mountains, dwelling in an Arcadia Of
his own.
1t was after dusk one evening when
he drew near the ruined house, and as
he dismounted at the gate in the wall
Chuchita came toward him. Fasten-
ing his horse, he turned to her and tax.
ing her hand in his said:
am late, little one. 1 am sorry.
Have kept you waiting long?"
No, not long, but was afraid you
would not come" she answered
Would you have cared much, dear?"
She raised her eyes to his, and re-
piled, with deep sigh: " Yes, would
have cared"
And to him as he looked into those
eyes, something akin to love came.
He had never kissed her, but now he
put his arm around her and drew her to
him; he placed his hand under her chin
and pushed her head back against his
shoulder, upturning her face, then gaz-
ing down into her eyes, he whispered:
"Tell me that you love me-"
| She looked at him for moment with
languid eyes and parted lips, and then
great thrill passed over her and she
threw her arms about him and cried :
Eduardo! l love you'll" and she
pressed her lips TO his in one long kiss.
He frightened his arms around her, hold
ing her close to him, murmuring: "My
darling, my love-" and again his lips met
| hnr hn y 10 49,. L. i
dropped on his breast. Gently he
raised her head, and drawing her shawl
about her face, held her from him,
whispering: "My nun, that is the way
l always see you"
And then thought came to him,
and he drew her back to his breast
again, while he gazed off into the night.
"Chuchita," he said, CT have some
thing 1 want to say to you, dear,-a
plan for your future. l want you to
come with me, dear, to home we will
make in some beautiful spot in the
dreamy land of yours, where we can
live for each other alone. 1 will be
kind to you, darling, and love you, love
you until the end. Will you come,
Chuchita?"
"As your wife-yes," she answered.
He made no reply, and she slipped
suddenly from his arms and walked
quickly away; then turning, she came
back, pausing within a few steps of
him. In the dusk he could distinguish
only the outline of her form and the
unnatural brilliancy of her eyes, as she
exclaimed: "Oh, Eduardo, my love!
understand and l know not if it will
be right. l must pray to the saints;
and here, tomorrow night, will tell
you. Take me in your arms once
more, caro- MIC, and then let me go!'ss
He drew her to him and held her
folded to his breast in one long en-
brace; then he released her, and she
turned and left him.
Slowly she wandered back to the viii
lage, her poor little heart throbbing
with pain and her mind in agony of
doubt. She entered the deserted
church, and in corner near the
chancel. rail she fell on her knees and
prayed; end as she knelt there, gradu-
! ally holy peace came into her heart,
driving away the cruel pain, and the
conviction grew strong within her that
the blessed saints had heard her
prayer and would guide her Alright; and
so after while she arose aud passed
out from the sacred edifice almost
happy.
When she met Marsden the next
evening he took her in his arms and
she burst into tears. Gently he soothed
her, and after a while she sobbed out:
Eduardo, milo, it no can be, only as
your wife. 1t no is right"
"But, darling" he replied" cannot
marry you now. You know the priest
is not here, and will not return for
months, and besides, may finish my
work at the mine at any time, and
when l do, l want to take you away
with me, and as he continued talking
with her they wandered on into the
village, and when they came to the
church Chuchita paused, and clasping
her hands to her heart, cried: eduardo,
caro- milo, come into the church and on
your knees before the Blessed Virgin
promise you will wait here and marry
me when the padre returns, and then
but none must knOW-my father-nOne