Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-05-17
LITTLE SAINT
ALESSANDRA
(copyright 100, By Joseph B. Bowlss)
BY ROSE X. WEEKS


Both glanced at Alessandra, leaning
languidly in her deck chair under the
deep green shade of the palms. Before
her stretched the snow-white sands,
beyond them the blue sunlit sea.
Looks good, too; don't she?" the
trader resumed Brought up in the
convent way over at Apia, and hasn't
lost the trick of it yet. | give her three
months. My own brothers girl, and
you'd say | ought to talk different; but
never see any good come out of island
blood yet, and Sandra ain better than
the rest. tell you, I'd sell her as I'd
sell puppy won't have her knocked
about; but I'd take any reasonable Of
fer from a man as would treat her rea-
sonably well. He turned sharply on
Wentworth. Say, are you on?"
Thrice Wentworth drew at his cigar
before he answered. Yes. he said at
last I'm buy .Alessandra Of YOU"
Night had fallen upon toe sea-a
night richly dark and thick with stars,
which shone again more dimly in the
glossy heaying blaekness Of the lagoon.
Patrick Wentworth, coming up from
below, saw her sitting there, and
stopped He laid his hand on the back
OF her chair.
"Sandra," he said, In low voice.
The girl looked up and smiled. She
was fairer than most half-castes, hay-
ing gray eyes; indeed, Wentworth was
more like a native than she, with his
hazel eyes and brown skin, tanned yet
browner by the sun. She was also less
precocions than her peers; at l6 the
island girl is a woman, whereas sandra
looked no more than sleepy child.
lis my uncle going7" she said.
Hes gone"
Il suppose be has forgotten; be does
forget me often. said Sandra Would
you mind letting two Of the men row
me back?"
"No. he has not forgotten; he left
you here on purpose. Wentworth bent
his dark head close to hers. He left
you behind because ! want you, San
dra"
saadra looked distressed and per-
plexed. To Wentworth the trouble In
her eyes was a temptation beyond re-
sistance. AS he knelt at her side his
arm stole round her waist: he drew
her face toward him and kissed her
once, with fire.
Mr.. Wentworth"
sandra's cry was an appeal, but he
only held her the closer "Sandra, do
YOU care for me-do you care at all ?
| want you for my wife. III make you
happy"
Sandra wrung her hands; she did
not try TO struggle. But her submission
shamed him into releasing her; he
stood up. folding his arms and leaned
against the side. I'm sorry ! startled
YOU. But you must listen. Your uncle
has left you here with me; do you I'M
derstand?"
my uncle left me here? And he
did not forget mel"
Gle didn't forget you"
Then he has sold me. said Sandra
II never thought he would do that: no,
I never thought Il"
she sat silent and still. Il did not
mean you to know" said Wentworth
after a pause.
Il am sure you meant 10 be kind,
said the girl. without resentment
"If II had not been !, II would have
been some other man, sandra- And,
YOU see. care for you"
But I don't care for you at all,
said Sandra, with unexpected decision,
You'll learn TO"
Il don't think so. I'm sure ! never
shall"
you must. I'm not quite such a
cad as you make out. only want you
10 marry me as soon as we get 20
Apia." Wentworth knelt down beside
her and laid his hand upon hers.
How much did you pay for meY
asked Sandra
"s~yen hundred"
what! all your savingsf ne money
YOU meant to investf"
Wentworth nodded. ut was worth
r." he said. dryly.
sandra folded her hands lightly TO-
sether. We'll, am your property;
don't dispute It" she said. do what
YOU like. | don't assent, but ] can
resist.
81 can't let you go
las you will
"But short OF that, I'll do anything
you like"
sandra looked up quickly. How Ions
shall We take to reach Apia?"
I'VE shall get there tomorrow,
hope"
aYouH leave me free TIL them
"Free7"
aAs though we were not TO be mar
ria5. AS though we're simply pas
senrer on board the Medic "
II gave you my word. didn't II" said
/ wentworth. after a pause.