Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1895-03-21
CHAPTER I.-tcontinued.)

his hold on the stalWart arm which
had served him on the path and
CROPPED for the gate. His features
twitched convulsiyely. and the look 81
furtive distrust deepened in his rest
less eyes.
'.Rich!7 he repeated, as if speaking
to himself why should Dolores
wish for wealth? All. Poor child
lie stared at his companion a b.
etractedly for a moment. and then
pushed open the door in the wall
Under ordinary circumstances inc
officer would have pursued mis- way,
thus evading all expressions Of
gratitude on the part Of the old
mans family, but the laugh Of the
girl Dolores floating out on the sunny
air, had bewitched his ear The sailor
on shore wished TO see her. Accord
ingly. he followed his recently help
less charge, who appeared To be more
discountenaneed than gratiiied by the
measure.
girl, small, slender, and very
young. stood beside a fountain in the
middle Of the space Of garden, with
the branches Of an orange tree. laden
with blossoms and fruit, brushing her
shoulder
young man fingered opposite, gaz-
ne intently at her.
The garden was full Of flowers, I'M
trained and luNuriant in growth, yet
snch 7ife, bloom and sweetness rs the
spot could boast belonged 10 Dolores,
glowing on her tlimsy red and yellow
gown, adjusted with a certain grace
10y means OF crimson sash combining
the little waist the rose fastened in
her black hair above one tiny ear, and
the softly rounded brown face with
two large and limpid eyes. At the
moment she was a presence full OF
vivacity and gaiety.I
And the young man tall olive
hued, grave in bearing and in
dplent of movement who was he?
Was he not n lover Did not the mas
culine instinct of hostility, ever ready
10 flame in the breast of man under
similar circumstances. swiftly supple
mcut in that of Lieut. Curzon rival?
The house differed from those
mansions OF modest dimensions often
to lie found in the locality. built Of
stC ne with an occasional balcony. and
evn some curious effect of Barocco
namentatjon in the heads of Ncreids
aud Ceutaurs e; yed on the cornice
4 his habitatiou was mn ancient square
tower, resembling an old Norman
keep tbs base of roughly he IN stone.
and tllled in with rubhe Above the
door was an armorial shield sculptured
in stone. with the nearly etraced de-
sign OF a crane bearing blade Of
wheat N his beak Like the casas
solares Of similar spots, laek Of re-
pair aud the ravages of years were
clearly discerntble in the structure
which had not attained any height, as
Il an original project Of building had
been checked before the completion
of parapet Who had designed the
tower Moor, Spaniard. Sieiliau 81
French conquerora Why had the
task btea abandoned? The girl
Dolores hged here as rose
blooms where grim sentincls should
keep watch for au invading Zoe
a dog, resembling a ball Of white
floss sil., and scarcely larger dian the
10Y animals mounted on " heels of shor
windows, announced the new arrival,
with shrill barking. then prudentlv II.
treated behind his mistress, aud peered
forth from the folds Of her dress with ,
miniature counteuance fun OF canine
wisdom and absurdly shaved in IN,
eemblauce Of a military mustache
Dolores turned her head quickly
with rapid change 81 expression t,
one of surprise. and sprane to the sid,
Of the old man
'Grandpa' How pale vuu are Tia.
an accident happened?" She inquired il
English, ana spcalling with affection
ate concern.