Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-10-20
.we1l. dearest-.I said with a sigh.

ST suppose there are practical matters
standing now 10 be settled. By what
plan am to make you mine, now that
I have won you? What viii 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-" I added, sternly.
NAY, not 40 uncles nor the world! So
much is settled, please God!"
She seemed to be a little frightened
at my earnestness, and yet / could see
that my desperateness of resolve
pleased her.
why, Carlos MIC" she answered,
with a charming frown of thought, 81
am not clear as to the way. Ifear that
my uncle would never consent, and
though I 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?"
I cried, trembling with fear and ieal-
Gus dread.
''Not if with right and honor it can be
comprised otherwise" she answered,
gently. NAY. dear heart, mitigate
your fears. At least will never con-
sent. to wed anyone but you, and I am
sure that my uncle is no such man as o
compel me. That will give us time, and
with time who can say what may not
be done?''
'Angef:" 1 cried, rapturously, and
I 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 I should do that" I said, de-
spondently. "Ah, we'll, nevertheless
I will try it; will urge him. 1 will
plead my cause. will ask but for time
to prove my worthiness and a mete
place in the world. Content you. So
he comes on deck I 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, there he comesi Our Blessed
Mother and every saint prosper you'll"
She was up and moving across the
deck before l had my surprise we'll
mastered. Truly enough, Mr.. Hope was
coming toward US, having just stepped
out of the companion.
confess that the boldness 1
had shown but a moment before won
derfully diminished now that the mo-
ment of action was at hand. Carmen
gone and Mr.. Hope present was quite
another thing from the reverse.
Still, had, of course. no thought of
hesitating, and l summoned my reso-
luton afresh and made toward him.
ga fine night" he observed, not
quite heartily, as thought. 1 guessed
that he was not overpleased at finding
Dona Carmen and me together. 1t
was the first time it had fallen out
in just this way-that is, that we had
been by ourselves of an evening.
"It could not well be finer" I an
swered. By this time my courage had
a bit revived.
He came up to me, and with an air
grave and sober went on:
with your permission have some
thing to say to you. Have you leisure
to give me a few minutes of your
time?''
That was business sort of propo-
sition that at once changed his bear
ing. He answered with urbanity that
he was quite at my service, and led the
way to the part of the deck had just
quilted. Making a sign for me to take
one of the chairs. he dropped into the
other and planted his feet comforta
bly, against the gang-port chain.
proceed, if you please" he said,
turning his head a bit so as to regard
me.
Again a kind of cold fit took me.
This alert merchant way of his put
me out, and then had growing sense
of what there was at stake. / hung
in the wind an instant, but in that
time managed to confirm my resolu-
ton once more.
"The business, sir" / began with
sort Of desperate bluntness, concerns
your niece. 1 presume some depreca-
ton of my boldness may be in order.
but yet l choose rather to come at
once to the heart of the matter. In
a word, 1 love her, and she has avowed
she loves me. It lacks but your con-
sent to we'd her"
ITO BE Continued