The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-04-07

MY heart gave a bound.
hearing | followed the low wash OF
the water along the sides of the ship,
the straining of the timbers and bulk
heads, and the clicking of the gear in
the blocks.
At last her chair moved, and to my
amaze 1 felt the weight of her hand on
my arm. | swclled in great breath
coward it may be l was-and all
a-tremble turned to her. She was fix
ing grave and shining eyes on me.
Carlos" she began-oh, the sweet
ness of the Spanish tongue!-"is this
indeed how it is with you? Holy
Mother forgive me if | am indiscreet,
but it is thus with me also. | shall be
the most wretched creature in the
world If have to part from you'll"
have cast about for words where
with to explain what | felt on hearing
this, but to no purpose. l am per-
suaded there are no such, either in this
or in any other language. But, in short,
| could have cried out with rapture and
what | could not be restrained from
uOlllk WIS W oNlfN AlAN manu- NAlhN lbg pAi
my arm and between affection and
pure alteration bow over it and hold it
to my lips. She drew it away at last,
perhaps fearing that some chance
passer might see us, but flashed the
sweetest smile back as Il ransom for is.
What | said next | cannot tell, for
all was in whirl with me, and | war
rant | was scarce ineligible. There
were murmurs to and fro. and at last
i am not clear howl recovered
some measure of my senses.
"Well, dearest" | said, with sigh,
81 suppose there are practical matters
standing now TO be settled. BY what
plan am TO make you mine, now that
have won you? What will avail to re
move the obstacles, including the chief
one, which must be the opposition of
your uncle? Not that he shall prevail
against my love-" | added, sternly.
NAY, not 40 uncles nor the world! So
much is settled, please Cod"
She seemed to be little frightened
at my earnestness, and yet / could see
that my desperateness of resolve
pleased her.
"Why, Carlos mio," she answered,
with a charming frown of thought, 81
am not clear as to the way. l fear that
my uncle would never consent, and
though ! love you-si, Carlos, with all
my heart would not, save in thing
of extremity, disobey him."
But you would not let him part us?"
cried, trembling with fear and jeal-
GUS dread.
mot IL with right and honor il can be
comprised otherwise" she answered,
gently. "Nay, dear heart, mitigate
your fears. At least | will never con-
sent to wed anyo but you, and am
sure that my uncle is no such man as to
compel me. That will give MS time, and
with time who can say what may not
be done"
Angel" / cried, rapturously, and
was scarce able TO keep back from
snatching her into my arms Per
haps the passing by of one of the sail
ors at the moment was the only thing
that prevented me.
but Carlos, there is yet another
way" she went on. Say you should
boldly seek my uncle and ask him? You
could do no more than fail"
"But l should do that" said, de-
spondently. "Ah, well, nevertheless
l will try it; will urge him. | will
plead my cause. Twill ask but for time
to prove my worthiness and mete
place in the world. Content you. Sc
he comes on deck will have my an
swer this night"
She heard me gravely and as one
troubled with doubts, but yet of my
mind. Indeed, this was but the put
ting into words of her own thought.
Content, then" she replied at last
"Ah," she added, turning her head and
starting. "here he comesl Our Blessed
Mother and every saint prosper you'll
She was up and moving across the
deck before | had my surprise wei
mastered. Truly enough, Mr.. Hope was
coming toward us, having just stepped
out of the companion.
l confess that the boldness
had shown but moment before won
derfully diminished now that the mo
ment of action was at hand, Garner
gone and Mr.. Hope present was quite
another thing from the reverse.
Still, had, of course, no thought o.
hesitating, and | summoned my reso
luton afresh and made toward him.
"A fine night" he observed, no
quite heartily, as thought, guessed
that he was not overpleased at finding
Dona Carmen and me together.
was the first time it had fallen on
In just this way-that is, that we hat
been by ourselves of an evening.
ut could not we'll be finer" l an
swered. BY this time my courage hat
a bit revived.
lie came up to me, and with an ali
grave and sober l went on;
with your permission have some
thing to say to you. Have you leisure
to give me a few minutes of you
time?"
A e a