The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1904-10-28
KISMET
By EARL MARBLE
lcopyrIghl. I.0a. By Daly slory ru1. col

Copyright 1904. by Daily Story Pub. Col
VII HEN Henry Appleby went dowr
wv into Mexico TO superintend the
working Of one Of the big mines in which
he had an interest be left behind him q
lovely girl. Estelle Marston, between
whom and himself tacit understanding
existed Of a future engagement. though
no formal love-making or positive en-
gagement had been reached. Appleby
had been a college athlete, built almost
like a gladiator. and had dark gray eyes
and dark brown hair a firm, but kindly
mouth. a positive chin. and a manner
which was usually reserved. but which
could be aggressive II occasion author
lied or warranted. lie was a man among
men. but was inclined to weakness when
the wles Of women encompassed him.
Estelle Marston was a spiritual dream.
Blue-eyed, lieht-haired, fair-skinned,
yet healthy, volatile, and happy, as hap
piness goes. she was the ideal Of more
than one young man. and many were
the smiles Of satisfaction when Appleby
went away. and. as many Of them
thought. left better chance for them
TO win the fair Estelle
But she was the star OF Appleby's
thoughts. and her spiritual nature APP
pealed to him constantly, acting as a
lodestone to keep his heart true 10 the
magnet She appealed to his bette ma
ture. as a pure woman Of that typ in
variably does when a man becomes in
terested In her.
SO matters rested between them
Though no engagement existed, each ex-
pected the other to be as true and faithful
TIL they should meet again
Appeby attended strictly 10 his work
in and for the mine. and by his manage
ment the output was large and profita-
bic. He saw and heard but little Of what
was going on in a social way. except
among the half dozen American and
English families who lived in the vi
cinity, all Of them interested with him
in the mine There were few young
people among them. and these not At
all TO his liking. Somehow he had got
the habit, whenever he met a lady. Of
comparing her with the fair Estelle. OF
course invariably to the detriment Of any
Of those thus compared with her. He
was agreeable. and that was all He
made polite calls. played outdoor
games when asked. and was looked upon
as desirable but impossible young
man.
There came a change at which his i'm
mediate circle was dumbfounded. and
the rest OF the population shrugged It's
shoulders and awaited developments
He had attended a native ball one
evening, and noticed figure rather tall
er than the usual squat and dumpy ones
surrounding her, and had inquired |
about her.
"Hispano senorita." he was told
His informant took It for granted that |
an introduction was desired. where one |
took the trouble to inquire and selling /
him by the arm, took him almost by I
ipANN W n bAUhl vi Nuliu Alt bllA was !
the center. and introduced him
What followed, Appleby himself
scarcely remembered aftrward. He
danced with her. he walked through the
courtyard conservatory with her. ne
talked with her, he applauded her and
his heart leaped with delight as she
danced a fancy castanet Spanish dance.
and he had eyes ears and tongue for no
one else during the evening.
That some Of the young natives NUT
tered imprecatlons on him for his mo-
nopoly Of her did not concern him.
Il do not care" he said. recklessly.
"she is worth taking desperate chances
for"
He asked permission 10 call and sec
her, which was granted. rather more
than willingly. he remembered after
ward.
81 am live with distant relatives" she
told him when he called. do not mind
them-they are nobody not introduce
you. My father one fine grandee; my
Hispano senora-Santa Mariai
both dead, poor soulsl He was so tall
and stately. like you. senior. only more
slender; she was graceful. like what you
,all it-a willow-and | with such
canalllel"
Nothing could have been more certain
% win Appleby's attention. II not indeed
lis love. than this sort Of talk He had
, theory. that. like parent like child.
The law Of heredity in his eyes. was one
p which he most devoutly believed.
While he could amuse himself at hall.
r in Irritation. either innocent or 9TH
'rwise. with such person as this Sen
rita Mercedes, he could not think Of
yoing any further with one Of the race
her father was squat, and her mothg
at and dumpy. The senOrita had faith
,med him-whether unconsciously or
may not be known. But prob
bly, this was not her first love affair.
nd possibly the opinions and acts Of
ome other Americana had opened her
eemingly innocent eyes very wide.
And those eyesl
How glorious" exclaimed Appleby
'ften TO himself, as he contemplated
heir luster and their tenderness, when
pending the evening and not small
ortion Of the night In the parlor Of her
elatives, OF with her at some OF the ma q
i've balls Her eyes would WOO ono