The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-04-14
CHAPTER XIII.


(none of the passengers were in
sight, the concern and trouble of the
old matter returned. The prospect
came back, dubious and uncertain, and
the pride which had sustained me so
well till now incontinently left me. ]
made forward with heavy feet, and
only pulled myself together at the
door of the berth, where / took
thought that Mr.. lynn might notice
me. l entered andfound him up and
already about to go on deck, and de-
nvered Mr.. Hopes message. He re-
Piled: VERY we'll" and after finding
that 1 was not for going back, passed
out, and heard him ascend the brass
shod stairs.
l might now momentarily see my
love, which was bound to do, and tell
her how matters had gone, and, be-
ides-well, I hoped for q fleeing en-
brace. Most likely it would be our
first and last.
l slipped out into the main cabin,
accordingly, running my eye about
under the dim, grease-smelling lamps,
but again finding the place empty,
and stole along to the senorita's door.
At my first light knock she opened
it. She was habited as she left the
deck, even to the mantila. Her face
was pale, and her eyes seemed big and
bright, showing the strain of her
anxiety.
ale makes little of me, yet he has
not absolutely refused me-" hastily
whispered.
"Oh, then there is hope!" she cried
tingeing instantly with color and
clasping her hands. "He did not de-
spise you?"
Nay" l answered, trembling with
love and tenderness, mot so bad as
that"
L could not find it in my heart to
disclose the doubts and dubiousness
that were expressing me.
"But yet you speak heavily" she
said, looking at me more narrowly,
land there is that in your air What
were his words, Carlos?"
THAT he bids me rise to station in
life fit to sue for you" l was now
pressed to answer; "but even then
promises nothing. In short, he treated
me with civility, and perhaps beyond
my deserts, but has left me with near
as many doubts as had at first. And
yet"
Poor Carlos!" she gently broke in,
and to my infinite delight she laid her
hand gently against my cheek. 81
perceive how it is. He has played the
shrewd merchant with you, and has
dealt with you in fashion to avoid
offense, yet to afford little hope. But
be not discouraged, for if he did not
come out with harshness against you
he is not offended with you, and that
am sure is much. am now better
heartened than | have been at any
time before, and believe that all vii
yet come out IN triumph TOR u.s.
Dear heart" said l, with n shaking
voice. and, unable to utter any more
words, l clapped the caressing hand
to my lips and with another motion
drew her unresisting to my breast.
God wot never was a purer woman
but she was no prude, and the generous
blood of Spain flowed in her veins
She slipped her arms about my meek
and put her lips to mine, and let me
draw her loving weight to me, and sc
we chung for single moment.
The shortest moment in my life
Feet began to clatter down the com
panion stairs, and with one swift, ten
der kiss and 81 am yours, Carlos, or il
not, then the veil! The Holy One keeT
you!" she was inside and the door
closed, and l was speeding to my
cabin.
reached the door just as the per
son coming down fetched into the
range of the lamps. To my relief, il
was Mr.. lynn. Nevertheless, l had never
seen him when he was less welcome.
'Is't you, Ardicll?" he asked, as
paused by the door. "Why, yes, now
/ see 1t is. Come in, for have a thing
10 tell you"
felt little curiosity, for the greater
matter moved me. but ] passed after
him into the berth. Our candle Ian
thorn had been left burning, and 10y
the glmmer of it I saw that his lool
was moved and excited A little sur
prised now, | dropped upon the sid
of my bunk, while he took the neigh
Dor stool.
"Well, Ardicl," he began, "to saw,
you guessing, l will go straight to tn,
bowels of the matter. / have fallei
heir to a great fortune"
Distraught as | was and full of tn,
other affair, this, nevertheless, gav'
me start. Recollecting myself anC
how | ought to behave toward one VIII,
had deserved so well of me, l caugh
his hand and shook it heartily.
81 congratulate you, with all m!
soul" l cried mo man in the worlt
deserves the luck better!"
"Avast! you oyer-eXalt me-" h
laughed. "But it is the, stranges
thing in the world. TO come to tn
point, then, it is Torryeorn's lette
which has brought so much to pass
First, certain cousin, that l neve