The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-12-13

save for the rustling banana leaves, we
stole away to the beach and put to sea
in the proa; it was to be for the last
time. I wanted to remove my friend
Br'er Miguel in time to prevent COM
plications next day; SO, gliding along
in the wake of the guard-boat until
1t almost reached the head of the bay,
I landed and hastily dug the figure
from it's concealment among the bags.
Wrapping piece of mating about
the thing, so as not to brighten Doro-
tea, I lugged it along to where she sat
waiting for me. She had heard all
about Br'er Miguel as we came along,
and, though frightened at my temeri-
ty-to call it by no stronger name
her sense of humor afterward got the
better of her fears. Having decided
that our waxen companion could find
no better final resting-place than the
big proa-the padre certainly owed it
q 'requiescat"- foated cautiously
along to where it lay, near the landing
pier, and left our friend with the tiller
under his arm. Then we headed out
to sea.
The first streaks of red were silhouet-
ting the peak of Tiniquio against the
eastern sky when we left Orote behind
us, and in a few moments it was light
enough to see the horizon. Moment
after moment strained my eyes to
the westward until, finally, saw a
tiny black mass that grew more dis
tinct as I looked. The relief was so
great that felt chilly. Dick was real
ly coming, at last-coming precisely
when he said he woodland the sus-
pense was almost over. How blessed
Mcpherson and his faithful old engine!
How I wanted to get Dicks honest
hand between my own fingers! Then
a sudden thought occurred to me, and
Hooked at Dorotea. She had seen the
smoke; and if ever woman's face ex-
pressed the grief of approaching sep
aration, tormenting fears and doubts
concerning the future, hers did at that
moment. Her dark, melting eyes were
swimming in tears; and with her arms
tight about me she hid her face in my
breast, sobbing out:
SIS it true, querido milo, that-you-
are to-leave me? All, santisima Maria!
shall die!''
"No, you won't, Dorotea-Dorotita.
Listen. Halstead is on that steamer;
he and own her now; we are going to
ship the copra to-day, and leave Guajan
this evening. But when we go away la
Sonora Stevens-la Dorotea Catalina de
Garma Stevens-will be with u.s.
Friends. have you ever seen the sun
shine break over beautiful woman's
face? Have you ever seen the love
light in her eyes struggle for mastery
with speculations about her trousseau
at the end of fifteen minutes? Have
you ever been half strangled by warm
bare arms, as red lips whispered shy
tremulous questions, which your imag'
ination must supply? Because, if ycr
haven't, it will be impossible for you t.
appreciate what occurred that May
morning, twenty miles from shore
while the sun reddened every stick o:
, steamed nearer and nearer. until he,
anchors lowered over us and Halstead'
own hands dropped the ladder b.
which we climbed on deck.
Another beautiful girl stood will
outstretched arms in the doorway o
Dicks cabin when we mounted to it
a girl whom Dick introduced as Ii
Capitana, la Sonora Halstead-and VIII
: embraced both Dorotea and mysel
!. with delightful impartiality.
$ So we sailed into Port San Lui
i d'Apra under English colors, and wit
most original house-hag at the for
e peak. 1t bore, upon white fielt
q the perfect representation of Spar
= ish galieon, such as sailed the p:
!; cific hundred years ago, and wa
e the Joint handiwork of Mrs. Halstea
% and Mcpherson.
n Repeated blasts of the Counties
1t whistle brought the gobernador hui