Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-02-04
TERESA.
By Captain @. A. CURTIS, o. 8. A.

/ i IL A1O1 IL
! By captain @. A. CURTIS, o. 8. A.
lCop,riIht, 1904, by American Press AsociA
/ tion.l
[coNTrNUED.l
Philip Raymer closed the curtains, re
sumed |his seat and listened Hearing NJ
furthei sounds, he passed out, locked
the dob and repaired to his quarters.
Sunday the lieutenant saw the Alcald,
vicent,o and secured positive promise
that bb would perform the marriage
ceremc by between him and Mexicans
for liberal fee and ask no questions
He saif il would be necessary TO know
the girls name In order 10 register and
give a certificate, but that it need not
be giv'h until the end Of the ceremony.
Raymet + assured him that the name
would be given in full at the proper
time. Satisfied that the alcalde would
not fail him. he returned to the plaza,
spending tho evening with friends nj
the for da
Mon Hay evening Philip reported what
he had done to Teresa II was arranged
that tli by should meet in the library n,
half pkt the following evening. 90 10
the alcllde's, and after the marriage re-
turn b. lme. Afterward, when pressed &c
set Jay for the union with lgnacio,
she wax to declare herself the wife OF
Philip Ind show the certificate as evi-
dence.
Tues Hay came at last, and the young
officer managed to worry through the
days duties until evening. After supper
he wal ked along the barren, cactus bor-
dered highway beyond the town, en-
deavorihg 10 shorten the hours until the
time Appointed. Turning to retrace his
| steps, le had walked but short dis
tance W hen he heard the rapid galloping
of hon se behind him, and presently the
silver bespangled Ortega dashed past,
evidently on his way TO the Valencia
mansion. "Bueno nochel" shouted the
Mexicah and disappeared around turn.
Ten hinutes before the time appoint.
ed Ratmer entered the library. The
momcnk which was TO give him the
treasure he had coveted for the past two
years he felt was near at hand. The
IN mannet Of securing il was not what he
would have preferred, but there had
been No other way. Teresa had said in
their 10 bt interview that. her happiness
and hik being at stake and being Of
Lawful age, she would not hesitate 10
take thb step ho urged that IL was her
self ami not her dear mother who was
chiefly interested in the bestowal OF her
hand.
Halfpas s arrived and went by, and
| the silken curtains had not opened
Raymet began TO fear the arrival OF Or
tega hhd confused his plans, and that
Teresa would find il impossible to keep
her ap,bointment. He held his watch in
his han ID and saw the time creep slowly
along tP three-quarters past s. He be-
gan wblking nervously back and for
ward, gradually yielding to feeling OF
despontoncy.
Within the house, in the sala, Teresa
and Ortega were standing in curtained
recess before window which looked
into tile placita The young man was
urginE,with all tho eloquence Of love
and pai sion an early day for their union.
Teresa responded by saying that she
could lot give him promise that even
ing or banIc the day Sonora Valencia.
| Aunt E|rigida and Senor Valencia looked
ON FROM other parts Of the room, the
two fir Ft impatiently and the last indif-
ferentlE.
TereEa glanced at a clock on the man
tel anh picked flower to pieces As
she an,|wered the pleading lovers argu-
ments thiefly in monosyllables- AT last
she sal n decisively:
"Nol Ignacio, | cannot answer you
otherwise tonight Come tomorrow
evening", and | will reply. Give me one
moro day 10 consider your request
will gike you definite answer tomor'
row. "
"Yet oarida, will wait if you de-
sire IL.
TereEa thanked him and walked across
the rocm TO her father, who sat by the
crate boxing into the fire STOPPING be-
side hi m and placing an arm about his
should Ers, she whispered. Papa, dear. "
"Yet, darling.
II hive met Philip Raymer in the IL
brary ,lt other times besides the evening
when You were present "
Il Suspected it, dona mia
"Oh| you dear papa" leaning for
ward tb look into his eyes and kissing
him 70 pturously. And / am going to
meet b i'm there now. "
"Yet, dear. ;"
"Yoh will not allow any one to think
I am ID pt in my room?"
"Yoh shall not be disturbed, but dc
not sta y too long. will tell lgnacio to
| call oh Father Gonzales as he rides
through town and send him up Tor
game df malilla."
Tere sa was half inclined to tell her
| father all, but refrained, and kissing
him aeIain she left the room.
In tlbe library half desperate young
| officer was crushing his hat upon his
head, with o gesture of despair, when
the p,lnel moved aside and Teresa,
wrappkd in black reboso, appeared be-
tween khe curtains. Raymer lifted her
to the door and held her III his arms
1 L.. .x,Io;paI tho ca,,ca ~ bar do
lay. But she said nothing Of her fathers 8
knowledge Of her visits to the library.
keep up your courage, darling, "
said Philip as he turned to lock the door
after they had passed out. Everything
will TURN out as we desire.
1T must. Philip. or l can never for
give myself for so deceiving mamma.
but thu alternative awaiting our failure
to marry emboldens me to take this
step. Are you sure you esteem ME as
| much for doing this!
IF 1t were possible, l esteem you the
more, hearest, for I know what it is
costinlE you"
Il s(m sure papa will forgive us. dc
has RECENTLY developed an extraordi-
nary { kste for mammals favorite game,
malillk, and is playing tonight with
the hers. as if purposely affording us
this Opportunity.
"Pe Fhaps he is Let Us hope to be
soon f'brgiven by both your father and
mothet !"
The young couple hurried through the
unlighted streets which bordered the
plaza, for they feared to cross IL lest
they Should be recognized by some OF the
numerP Pus passers. They had nearly