Part 3 (2/2)
Heads were turned and necks craned to see what had induced this unexpected prophecy Behind the distant coast-line the inner giants of the Andes threw heavenward their rugged outlines, with ainst a sky so clear and blue that they seeely near
”Yes, this wonderful at,” said the doctor, when assailed by a chorus of doubts ”But it carries its deceptive sn of storale”
”I shall ask the captain,” pouted Isobel, rising
The Count twisted his mustache He knew that both ladies were in the forbidden territory of the bridge when the fracas occurred
”You, perhaps, are a good sailor?” said he, addressing Elsie
”I am afraid to boast,” she answered ”I have been in as called a Nuale, whatever that may mean, and weathered it splendidly, but I a that you recall it so exactly”
”It was six years ago, and I was seventeen then,” said Elsie, her eyes wandering to the purple and gold of the far-off lish You are therefore at ho deep,”
murmured Monsieur de Poincilit, confidentially She did not endeavor to interpret his expressive glance, though he seemed to convey more that he said
”Not so e,” she replied, and she turned to Dr Christobal, whohtly in Valparaiso
”Are you co on deck?” she inquired ”I am sure you are a mine of information on Chile, and I want to extract some of the ore while the land is still visible It is already assu a last farewell to Valparaiso, I hope?” said her elderly companion, as they quitted the salon
”I think so I have no ties there, save those of sentiment I shall not return, unless, if a doubtful fortune perraves which are dear to me”
There was a little catch in her voice, and the doctor was far too syhts
”I knew your father,” he said gently ”He was a most admirable man, but quite unsuited to the environment of a new country, where the dollar is God, and an unstable deity at that He indled outrageously by h in the coe of Spanish and your other acquirements, should do better here than in Europe, provided, that is, you ”
”I am proud to hear you speak well of my father,” she said ”And I am well aware that he was badly treated in business I fear, too, that his advocacy of the rights of the Indians brought him into disfavor
Of all his possessions the only remnant left to me is a barren mountain, with a slice of fertile valley, in the Quillota district It yields nificent revenue of two hundred dollars per annum”
”How in the world did he coift from the Naquilla tribe He defeated an atte land company The company has since asked me to sell the property, and offered me a fair price, too, as the cultivable land is a very s the cause for which he fought, would it not?”
”Yes, indeed,” agreed the doctor, though his heart and not his head dictated the reply ”May I ask you to tell me your plans for the future?” he went on
”Well, when Mr Baring heard I was going to England, he was good enough to proency as Spanish correspondent
That will fill in two days a week The rest I can devote to art I paint a little, and draith sufficient promise to warrant study, I a; I prefer to be a pupil”
”I cannot i of to allow a girl like you to slip off in this fashi+on,” said Christobal with a smile
”Most of the-dress should be ed scrip”
”Poor material--very poor material out of which to construct wedded happiness And as tofriend, Isobel? She joins her aunt in London, I hear?”