St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1904-11-12

ening them both with the calaboos
(jail), assembled the stairs, and thel
perceived Fortuna perched on tn
newel-post, her bare feet tucked VI
under her red skirt, her hair freshl,
Amounted with coz ,anut oil, and he
eyes dancing with an unEoly joy.
could not help feeling that she was a
the bottom of the whole affair.
Two days before I left for Japan
Fortuna came to me and said that shl
was unable to go with us. She in.
formed me that nothing but the fac
that she was to be matrimonis
would have induced her to leave the
children and myself.
Whom are you going Il: marry, Por.
tuna?" l asked, wondering whether
Juan or Domingo were to carry off the
prize.
"A man muy rico, sonora" she de-
clared, proudly. He give me jewels
and fine casa. You see him often on
the Luneta-Simon Sebastiano."
gave start of surprise. SeDas-
tiano was one of the most influential
Fl1pinos in Manila. simply could
not believe that ugly, understood Por-
tuna could have captured his fancy.
He was good looking, too; there
was q strain of the best Spanish
blood In his veins; he had been we'll
educated, and was high in the ranks
OF the Federal party. It was as much
OF misalliance for him to marry Por-
tuna as for the scion of an aristocrat-
ic New York family to seek in mar
riage Bowery factory-girl of the
most humble antecedents. The more
thought of it, the most unlikely it
seemed; and when she informed Inc
that she had been brought up in his
house as the daughter of his coch ero,
the news was more incomprehensible
than ever, knowing as I did the class
distinctions of these people.
For the next two months the chill
dren and reveled in the beauties of
Japan. BY October we returned TO
the head of the family, who was hard
at work in Manila.
was greeted with the pleasing news
that orders were on the way for us
to so home. So determined to en-
JOY as fully as possible the last weeks
of our sojourn in the East. When
We were hidden, then, by one of the
various political parties to a great
banquet, decided to 60, as it was to
be nearly the last of my Filipino
entertainments.
All the American civil officials and
many officers Of the army and navy
We're there. I felt quite lost among
SO many personages of rank. / was
taken out to the repast by nice in
fantry major, and We sat far down
below the notables.
Some distance from where I sat,
saw my late cotillion partner talk
ing to a Filipino woman; on look
ing more closely I perceived that he
was engaged in an animated CONVEX
sation with-could it be? Yes, it GER
tainly was-Portuna! Fortuna, quite
as Inbeautiful as ever, but gorgeously
arrayed; her camisa stiff with en-
broidery, a spray of diamond roses |
four inches long in her hair, and about
her neck string of pearls for which |
l would have given ten years Of my |
existence. She seemed to find the re- |
marks of the high official interesting; |
indeed, she laughed in a coquettish |
manner; and as for him, he did not |
seem to find the banquet the perfume
tory bore these affairs usually are to
men Of his kind-he really appeared
to be enjoying himself
When the banquet was over, Por-
tuna came up and greeted me with
effusion. She was not proud. Shs
asked about the children with tears in
her eyes, and promised to come and
see them. She introduced her hus-
band, who regarded her with adoring
eyes. / found him to be very intelli-
gent. and we talked together Of the
traffic question and of the future Of
The Malay race while we were sitting
out dance Il sat out several that
EVENING"
The high official rushed up to us.
Not having seen him for two months.
supposed that he had come to pay
his respects. He barely nodded to me.
"Oh, how do you do, Mrs.-er-
Crane" Then, where is that attract
We little wife Of yours, Sebastiano?
want to see if she will dance the
Rigodon with me-"
With that he darted OF, and I soon
Jaw him standing, with Fortuna as
| partner.
The next time I saw Fortuna was
N the transport Sheridan. We left
or home on very short notice, and in
ome way she heard Of it, and APP
reared just before the vessel sailed,
fearing gifts of pima and just and
canton linen for me and the children.
The was the very same Fortuna, but
he evident affection she had for me
lad awakened quite warm feeling
OF her in my heart, SO l submitted
o her embrace, while the children
lung to her with tears.
The last gong had sounded, and
vhen half way down the gangway
'ortuna turned and waved her hand.
he sun fell upon her costly rings. Z,
nd among the diamonds and pearls,
noticed upon her. little finger the
lint of blue moonstone.
Leaning over the side of the ship,
ON and saw her entering a COM
ortable little private launch, and
team of in state.
What promotion for Fortuna"