The Elbert County tribune., 1905-08-10

I
tleman In the black garb of the Pres
byterian church Only one other gen
tleman is present, Cuban evidently,
from his name.
There are two females-one of them
a Scotch lady. and possibly neighbor
OF owner of the house; the second
character upon which Jack is inclined
to spend more than casual glance.
She is only girl, with dark face
and deformed fgure-a girl who
could perhaps only receive jeering
attentions from cruel boys in the
street.
Her face it is that attracts Jack;
one forgets her deformity when look
| ing into that, it is so strong, so
changeable in its emotions. Here Is,
| indeed, a character worth studying.
| In love or hate she would be for
| midable antagonist. He wonders what
relation she bears to Jessie Cameron
| and seeing a soft look come over her
face as her eyes fall upon the fair
| girl, guesses that the daughter of
Senior Roblado worships the Scotch
lassie, which somehow gives him
great relief
With such a guardian Jessie Cam
eron need never be quite helpless.
Quick as a flash the dark-faced
girl gives him a frowning look as
she advances-a look that may mean
many things. but which Jack rightly
lnterprets.
Then and there he knows absolute
L., Io -
L er in order to find the author of
his strange letter; If she had signed
her name Juanita to the scroll he
could not be more positive.
AT first Jack wonders why she
irowns and darts lightnings at him
out of her sloe-black eyes, until he
suddenly remembers that undoubted-
ly the daughter, as well as the father,
believes him to be that miserable i'm
poster of Howard Spencer.
Come. this will never do. He must
fnd chance to whisper the truth to
the senor's, daughter and make her
1is friend
When one really desires such an op-
portunity, it is not so difficult to Gre
ate it as might be supposed; and
while some of the others were engag-
ed in q little discussion concerning
The particulars of the ceremony, Jack.
in few words tells the girl the truth
concerning his identity.
Then her dark face for the first time
lights up with smile, and she gives
him little brown, slender hand.
Then 1t is better than thought.
But you will keep your promise just
the same? Perhaps circumstances
may arise that will make It necessary
for you to claim my sister Who can
say? If they should, l am glad for
her sake that you are what you ap-
pear to be-a gentleman"
THANK you,' he replies. 81 have
Already told her that should she need
assistance at any time, not to forget
me as a distant cousin"
I'VE are ready, Senior Jack" calls
out the genial old gentleman.
Jessie Cameron no longer bushes.
but looks very pale. She will not meet
Jacks eye. but stands there at his
side with downcast head.
1t is a strange marriage-possibly
as singular ceremony as has ever
been celebrated within the limits of
"Edinbro' town"
Jacks responses are made boldly,
while the brides voice falters, as
though she realizes how poorly con-
structed for marriage of convent
ence are the forms of religious cere-
mony.
Then it is over.
Jack Travers, bachelor exeunt-
enter the benedict, receiving the con-
gratulations of the happy senor
The next act in the drama promises
| to be of an altogether different ma
ture, and just as likely as not war
will follow love.
He has indulged in the hope that
he may have chance to say goodbye
to his wife, and even counts on a last
touch of that shapely little hand: but
looking round presently, he discovers
she has left the room.
A look of disappointment comes
over his face. which being noticed by
the shrewd eyes of the bluff old gen
tleman, start him into fit of laugh
ter, much to Jacks discontinue
since he knows his secret has been
| read
"She has gone, Senor Jack; the
bright star has dipped behind the
horizon. There was penalty at
tached to the contract, you know
Carramba! l am really sorry fol
you; but women are capricious, ant
the dear girl may yet relent. At an,
rate. hope on, Senior Jack"
"Oh, intend to-" declares the new
made Benedict, with signlfcan
smile.
Senior Roblado plucks him by th'
arm.
"Ah, my dear Jack, when shall W,
have our final settlement" he asks
when you please-say tomorrow,