Year: 1871




the sweet downcast face, and he was bold
enough to seat himself at her table and
commence rambling, silly conversation.
She looked a little frightened, but answer
ed his questions briefly, and then rose to
leave the table. Whereupon the insolent
ignoramus caught her flowing sleeve and
drew her back to the table with an ill-timed
jest.


a faint scream escaped her, and then
she burst into tears. / think the fellow
had not perceived me before, for he seemed
to wither into nothingness beneath my
whitening glance. l gave this beautiful
stranger my arm, with an assurance of
safety and protection, and escorted her to
the private sitting-room and returned to
the portico, thanking the stupid fellow
| (whoever he was) from the bottom of my
heart for giving me this fine chance for
serving the lady. AS l anticipated when
the father returned and learned what had
happened, he came out at once to thank me
for my assistance.


We had long conversation, and l was
soon familiar with the name and circum-
stances of the pair. He was an extensive
landowner from the INTERIOR and was now
for the first time in San Francisco to dis
pose of the farm products in loaded teams
little behind him on the road. He in
formed me he had at length concluded to
come himself and bring his daughter with
him, to see q little more of the world than
she was accustomed to at the ranches, in
quiring of mo if could direct him to COM
Portable and secure lodgings.


l was well pleased with the frank honest
farmer, candidly as much for his own sake
as that of his charming little daughter SO
l named my own boarding-place, and
agreed to speak to my landlady about pre-.
pairing rooms for them.


And so it happened Miguel Romez and
his daughter Carlota came in this odd way
to be warm friends and fellow-boarders of
mine. If l had been charmed with Carlota
at first, how much more was | enchanted
now that intimate acquaintance revealed
to me her sweet womanly character and
pure guileless heart Even l myself mar
yelled at the change she had wrought in
my dry uninviting life, as some cold, life
less, quiet scene may suddenly grow bril-
liant and attractive through an unexpected
flooding or glorifying sunset light.
Carlota's soft dark eyes shed their own
sparkling lustre over all the common and
trivial things she looked upon, and I, too,
felt the influence. My heart bounded
high and buoyant in my breast, and my
foot had caught an elastic spring something
akin to the gliding grace Of her fairy steps,
l fear Ned Wilkins forthcoming trial did
not receive SO much attention as Carlota' s
guitar and dimpled fingers.


Poor Sam, however, was faithful to the
search. He was still busily exploring
around here, there and everywhere, and
it had almost become monomania with
him to rush forth and scan earnestly every
ebon face that showed out from the crowd
cd thoroughfares.


The very day she was due the steamer
arrived, and Ned came dashing, in his





just as was wrapping up in tissue paper
n bouquet had purchased for Carlota. He
looked at the flowers with comical smile
but was too eager about the robbery to
make any comments. Poor fellow How
grieved for the pain his voice betrayed
when he had heard how unsuccessful we
had been, and said:


"Then suppose the trial must come on.
don't see how they will go to work to
prove against me what | didn't do, but
that's of no account even if acquitted for
want of evidence, my reputation is ruined
forever"


owe can get it postponed few weeks
longer" said ], encouragingly as / could.
"Who knows what may turn up by that
time.


And feeling for his disappointment and
down-heartedness, l proposed he should go
home with me and spend the evening" to
forget his troubles in the pleasant society
there.


Was ever lover so misguided and shallow
before? The moment i introduced him
to Carlota, and saw the flash of admiration
lsndle on his face, and the pleased interes-
ted sparkle in her eye, l saw what mischief
l had made for myself, and rallied inwardly
at my own stupidity. But it was too late
to help it. When the match has lent its
tiny flame, though only to single wisp of
the straw, who shall stay the conhagra-
tion ?"


l was punished enough through the misery