The morning times., 1897-02-05

SpeeuHy rewarded. IL proved TO be in
EsperanZa's case, for, with the advent OF
the yearly excursions from the United
States came the realization OF her dream
to rebuild the little home. 1T all happened
in this wise. A company of wealthy, en-
terprising Americans who had come with
the tourist party saw the ruined habita-
ton and concluded 1t would be just the
location for good factory. They accord
ingly sought out the widow and offered her
what seemed to the woor woman a fabu-
lous sum. She declared at first that it
would break her heart TO give up the little
place; that she could never do it, ETC.. etc,
but EsperanZa thought that such chance
should not be thrown away and urged the
madre to accept the proposition.
Two Thousand dollars Why, Gueridisi-
ma dearest we shall be as rich as the Senor
Presidcnte (the president), then Conchita
and Juana may go to schoola we shall be
sohappy and comfortable. Then too ,madre
mis- EsperanZa concluded, while a beauti-
full blush M ounted to her clear olive Cheeks
''you know we shall be able to have the
little wedding, and PancLo and / shall
live III pretty cottage, right near you.
Oh, there viii be 10 end to the money that
those good Americanos will give uSi'' Thus
reas oncd this simple child OF nature III
her ecstasy of happiness. 1t did not take
her long to wend her steps to the little
chapel and there thank the Blessed Mother
for the joy that had once more come into
her life.
When the laSr articles of the transfer Of
the pi operty had been signed. and when Mr..
HaIoid Livingstone, the representative of
the Empir eRnbber Company, put the check
into the widows hand he asked Esperanza
when the little wedding would take place.
"You see" he said, laughingly, II have
beeuled II o the secret. The birds whispered
it TO me- When You decide upon the date,
want you to open this package. II is a re-
cucrC from the Americanos. Don't forget
us, and by the way, when YOU are telling
your beads to that pretty Virgin in yonder
chapel, Just remember Harold Livingstone.
viii you? OF course, I'm hereto, but all
the same like 10 know that a pretty girl is
praying for me. Good-by, Scnorita Esper-
ANA, wish YOU all kinds Of hapriress.'
or course, IL goes without saying that that
very evening Panctlo WIS invited to fam
lily council, and the date OF the nuptials was
discussed and decided. The prospective
bri legrOOm had great plan to unfold To
them, he said. just on the brow of pic
turesque hill, about a league away from the
chapel OF san Jose, was a large, comfortable
adobe dwelling. ''ItwIlbc exactly W hat you
will want, madre mia, said the happy Pan
cho affct tonately To the mother The
owner will sell cheap because he is in need
OF ready money, and, with the remainder OF
the Americanos gold well invested you viii
be very comfortable with the little ones
since you will have none of my support, he
added miSChieyOusly. then continued. And
directly next door is such a pretty little
place which mean To buy immediately for
ESperanza cannot send me from her any
more AT this moment EsperanZa came in,
looking radiaHtly happy, and, if such a
thing could he, more beautiful than ever
ASshe stood GRACEFUL Y in the doorway hold
ing a small package III her hands, PanchO
Gould well liken her to picture dream,
anything. She had on a dainty yellow mus
lin. Pancho's favorite, which combined so
well with her heavy black tresses coiled
loosely on her head. her jet black eyes
fringed with long, silky lasheS, her regu-
lar features and exquisite colortngs She
certainly was a magnificent creature, per
feet in every detail OF physique.
You remember what the American told
]it. llldtlt llllti, Sttiu tbIIllH-
over to the mothers chair and sitting at
her feet We have decided, have we not?
So may open the package that the Senior
Livingstone brought me-" She unwrapped
the parcel, Which contained pretty jewel
box. As She opened ii she gave little cry
OF JOY and took out large envelope adj
dressed thus: ITO the Senorita Esperanza,
With the Best Wishes OF All the Ameri-
canOs.'' In it was crisp, new 500 bill,
and under it lay beautiful necklace Of
bloud-red garnets.
When, few weeks later, EsperanZa
wended her way in the direction OF San
Jose and PanChO had overtaken her she
did not now resist his embrace Together
they sought the altar of the Holy Virgin,
where EsperanZa had sObbed out herheart's
sorrow and vowed not to leave the madre
until better days should come.
The blessed mothers reward came soon
and Esperanza's sacrifice was transformed
into purest joy.