The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-04-10

he said, but that Scotchman shall
never have YOU" He muttered a curse
in his throat as if ashamed to swear
before her openly.
| The afternoon breeze was coming in
over the sea now, lettering lazily as if
too fatigued to cool the heated air. The
residents of the island were all alert.
SnatcheS OF song, strains of music, mer-
ry laughter in waves of sound rolled
over the f1ower-filled island, as the
breeze stirred the feathery palms or set
| the broad green banana leaves swaying
| slowly as if in time to waltz music.
The girl had pleaded with her COM
panion for mercy. He had none to give.
She argued, she coaxed. He was OBJ
durate- Nothing availed. They were
walking now back to the gate Of her
home, a low-thatched cabin, from
whose gates stretched the long lily
covered fields, fragrant and pure. Her
father was still asleep in his chair on
the Vlne-covered porch, and the girl
seeing this continued her walk along
the road to the cliffs, talking earnestly
pleading anxiously, her soft voice con-
trasting with his harsh, insistcnt tones.
The beauty Of the sunset that illumi-
,iotCN liiC tlOptCdi Deduly was lOSl OH
the man, absorbed as he was in trying
to force the girl to marry him or give
him right to support her.
After the two had left the spot where
the girl met him, from the other side
of the guava shrub hedge rose young
man, his usually ruddy face white and
drawn with pain. He pushed his straw
hat impatiently off of his forehead, dis
closing blue, troubled eyes, and locks of
curly, red-gold hair that bespoke his
Scotch descent
| A flock of buZZards, disturbed from
their roost on nearby mango trees
flew seward, croaking dismally as they
| flew
The young man clinched his hands as
if in physical pain as he murmured
What die he mean by slurring Alines
purity in her past? What does he
know and ah, dear God, why did she
not contradict him?"
| His labored breath came fast at the
torturing thoughts. He had heard the
reference to himself, heard the threats
and his hot blood rose in jealous wrath.
That Aline, his beautiful betrothed,
should be in such company and be
threatened by the evil-looking stranger
oh, it was too much to bear
| Donald McKane was a Scotchman by
birth and education, and brought up in
a strict manner as a Presbyterian.
Also educated to have faith in woman's
goodness and purity. He had commenc-
ed the practice of medicine in Bermuda
and had been successful. Then came his
meeting with Aline Eaton. He knew
! that Aline had no income except from
the sale of her Easter lilies, and that
on this she supported her old father.
He had not troubled himself with in
curing as to her past. He only recog-
niZed her as true, lovely young Wo-
man, whose every heartbeat answered
! to his. Now came the struggle with
his soul Could he trust his name his
honor, to her after the conversation he
had unwittingly overheard. He would
go and see her, tell her what he had
heard and doubtless she could explain
| it all satisfactorily. This resolution
taken, he grew calmer. He could not
give up his beautiful dream of love
without struggle.
| Passing the field of lilies, Aline's COM
panion passed his hand through
crevice in the hedge and plucked half
red face and shifting its delicate fra
GRANGE, while marring it's purity with
his tobacco scented breath The girl at
! his side looked scornfully contemptu-
| GUS and as if she wanted to snatch it
from him, but restrained herself, fear
! ing to anger him more; but a repulsive
shudder shook her slight figure as she
watched him.
| The band was playing on the Plaza,
the crowd of gayiy dressed natives were
walking in groups or couples, talking,
| laughing and shouting in their usual
! happy go-lucky manner.
| Belated ones hurrying home on
small donkeys, ladened with empty
| fruit or vegetable baskets foot pas
sengers carrying burdens on their
heads, so straight and strong, avoiding
collisions dexterously as they passed
| the throng.
A full moon was rising, it's silver
glory tinging each leaf and petal of
| floral beauties with a new loneliness.
! A steamer was making her landing
and the whistle awoke the shore echoes,
startling the sea birds from their rest
| ing places. The colored population
surged shoreward, as was their custom,
| to welcome newcomers. Electric lights
on the warship in port cleaned on the
water, showing a blue peter fluttering
| for a recall to boats manned by officers
who had been on duty on shore. Groups
| of her majesty's officers from late full
dress parade We're standing near Gov
eminent House, chatting and laughing
| over events of the day
| Suddenly a colored policeman ap-
peared on the scene, saying in excited
tones: Murder sahs. and de body was
| foun' by the marines on de sho'."
Who is it?" asked the officers.
Stranger, sahs; but Miss Eaton was
road. and he is daid now, wild one of de
white lilies of hers in de buttonhole of
| his buzzum. He is layin' in a temora-
nous morgue down here"
| The group waited to hear no more,
but quickly followed their guide to the
| Courthouse square.
| Donald McKane heard this report,
and a cold hand seemed to clutch at his
heart He thought it was surely better
| to pardon too much than to condemn
unheard. His experience up to the pres
ent crisis was that she had reared the
column OF a blameless life that gave
no hints of wrong or evil tendencies.
! Refined, pure minded and modest, and
devoted to her old father, she had
seemed a very desirable, lovable girl.
The policeman called out to him, but
| he rushed past unheedingly