Year: 1859

servants cottage at the end of the garden,
where Imorene and her father lived The
owner of these lands and gardens was
astonishod when he found blooming with
in his palace walls flower so beautiful as
the peasant girl. He was spell-bou by
her exquisite sweetness of features, the
delicacy of her bearing and the sylph-like
grace of her form.


The father was surprised at the earnest
ness of Don Moranzo's questions concern
ing his child /; and perhaps a troubled
thought crossed his mind when his noble
master, turned away from the cottage door
and walked back to the palace.


Don Moranzo had bad name in Va.
lentia he wrs a dark and moody spirited
man--one whom few liksd to cross, still
fewer to be intimate with. His principal
claim to the honor in which he was held
in the district and court was owing to his
immense wealth, dishonesty enough OBJ
tanned, no doubt, but often purchasing for
him what he otherwise could not have ac-
quired.


When we say that Don Moranzo was
loved by none, and feared by nearly all,
we have told his character.


The only friend the peasant Gomardo
and his daughter had made in Valentia
was friar of the convent Of Santa Clara,
he watched over Imorene as carefully as if
she had been his only daughter.


A few months after the introduction of
Imorene to Don Moranzo, he had, in his
vilsness, planned the dishonor of his beau
tiful dependent. All his advance had been
met with such calm but firm disregard,
that at first he was Disconnected; but sud
denly the father was takened i'll, and sick
ened with fearful rapidty, until death
came to the relief of his sufferings.


There was something about the sudden
death of her father that struck.the priest
as mysterious. He had very suddenly
died. in manner that to his experienced
eye seemed to indicate that he was poison
ed. Whether this was Intentionally done,
or otherwise, he knew not, nor could he
conjecture, save by the inference, and yet
there was lurking suspicion in his mind
that Don Moranzo knew something more of
the gardeners decease than he wished to
acknowledge. The priest strongly sus-
pected foul play, and that the unprinci-
pied cavalier had taken summary means
in order to accomplish his designs upon
the innocent and unprotected girl.


This was indeed the case, for she was at
once removed to his own house, and placed
under the strict guard of domestics who
knew their masters pleasure, and who had
been taught to consider his slightest wish
as their law. Here the peasant girl was
most miserable. Though young and con-
fiding, she could not mistake the fearful
position in which she found herself. She
saw danger, but alas she knew of no way
to avoid itl-Eyen, the priest was no long
er permitted to see her, and she felt indeed
alone.


Struck with the noble nature the girl
and subdued by her quiet frmness, Don
Moranzo at last grew to look upon her as
something necessary to his existence, and
even offered her his hand and title if she



would become his welded wife. She had
loved once-her young affections had been
placed on the altar reared in her own heart
and she would never love again.
Don Moranzo had been drinking deer
one day, and at late hour came to limo
rene's apartment. She saw his excited
state, and trembled as he came to hei
side.


S "Come my pretty one, give me kiss.
e "Nay, Senor l pray you respect m!
f lonely situation l beseech you"
= "But one, single kiss, Imorene fo
2 good night"


J, "Senor, Senior I am alone and defence
less, poor weak girl. You would no
v strike me dumb with fear"
@ "But one-I must and will have one"
# "Holdl'' she cried, raising her out sprea
. hands towards him. "You are strong an
r can compel me to this indignity, but"
d "What ring is that?' interrupted tn
h cavalier, as his eyes by chance rested upo
her hand, where they seemed riveted.
if "Alas ~ answered Imorene, "it is tn
d gift of one who was kind to me-
o "Let me see it, said Don Moranz'
Y half sobercd at some surprise occasione
), by the jewel.


,r After moments examination of th
n ring the cavalier, with seeming amazemer


returned it, and at once left Imorene alOn