The Heart's Secret; Or, the Fortunes of a Soldier: a Story of Love and the Low Latitudes.

general, who explained to him the terms on which his reprieve was granted, viz., that he should leave the territory and soil of C

cases was detailed, as to the hope that the present example might not be lost upon h

rita Isabella Gonzales had treated him, when she had every reason to believe that it was his last meeting with her, and nearly the last hour of his life, he saw that if she would treat him thus at such a mome

ral, and tell him that I accept from him his noble cleme

y bowed low

rrest, freely and without a check. His heart seemed to bleed more at the idea of leaving the spot where Isabella lived, and yet to live on himself, elsewhere,

I have worshipped, how adored t

vored by fortune, win her love, and, may be, her hand in marriage. At any rate, with his light and buoyant heart, there was sunshine and ho

er time would be permitted to him on the island. He resolved to write one last letter of farewell to Isabella Gonzales, an

d banishment for any person to be sent from a foreign clime to the place of his nativity; nor would it appear to be such to me, were it not that I leave behind me the only being I have ever really lov

am sincere or otherwise. I could not offer you wealth, Isabella Gonzales. I could not offer you rank. I have no fame to share with you; but O, if it be the will of Heaven that

ess you. May God bless your dear brother, who has done much to sustain me, bowed down as I have been wit

the nightly praye

port of Cadiz, Spain! She hastily perused its contents again and again. looked off upon the open sea, as though she might

awoke her once more to consciousness. He, too, had learned of Captain Bezan's sudden departure; and by the open letter in his sister's hand, to whi

ldier; yet her heart would thus unbidden and spontaneously betray itself, in spite of all her proud calmness, and strong efforts at self-control. The b

been liberated and pardoned, after all," said

sad cost; for he has

not shot, when so

ste

el

keep a

sabella, half smiling at t

onderful, since I drew th

ng might turn up to save his friend even yet, and there he had found a chance to draw the bulle

dear, goo

r what,

zan's life; for otherw

much about it, sister?"

, we owe Captain Bezan so much ourselves

think so constantly of him, and to regard him with such friendly consideration, that no influence of pride could in the least affect him; and though he had sufficient penetration to pierce through the subject so far as to realize

either of amusement or self-imposed duty. Occasionally General Harero called; but this was put a stop to, at last, by Ruez's pertinently asking him one evening

haracter was known to Don Gonzales and his family, he gave up the hope of winning Isabella Gonzales, or rather the hope of sharing her father's rich coffers, and quietly withdrew

when there were visitors of importance. She seemed to be constantly in a dreamy and moody state, and avoided all her former haunts and companions. A skilful observer might have told her the caus

, if it separated him from her he loved. But as it was, he seemed to feel that life had lost its charm, ambition its incentive for him, and he cast himself forth upon the trouble

at even had he succeeded, and fortune favored him in his love, she would not have loved him its his heart craved to be loved. But all this sophistry was overthrown in a moment by the memory of one dear

feel as we do; how

this so. At times he looked down into the still depths of the blue water, and longed for the repose that seemed to look up to him from below the waves. He had thought, perhaps, too long upon this subject one soft, calm

out him, and awoke from the fearful charm that held him. It was his good angel t

renown; and yet he hardly paused to think what the end of these would be; whether they would ultimately bring him nearer to the proud girl of his hopes and his love. Fame rang in his ears; the word seemed to fire his veins; he was humble-he must be honored; he was poor-he must be rich; he was unknown-he must be renowned! With suc

est affections. She felt, plain enough, that she was miserable; indeed the flood of tears she daily shed betrayed this to her. But her proud Castilian blood was the phase through which alone she saw, or could see. It was impossible for her to banish Lorenzo Bezan from her

eck began to fade, and Don Gonzales trembled for the boy's life. It was his second bereavement. His mother's loss, scarcely yet outgrown, had tried his gentle heart to its utmost tension; this new bereavement to h

abella and her brother at Havana, Lorenzo Bezan had reached