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36 tell me something about the recent engagement that caused his absence, in his usual cheerful manner, when Arizenda returned, bringing him a large and beautifully illustrated volume. This, he said, was the principal newspaper of Atazatlan, which they received at regular intervals.

On examining it, I found that it contained a vast amount of reading matter, but not so many advertisements as the London Times or the Sydney Morning Herald.

The next meal, however, was soon announced, and my host spoke of many matters, including some of his own adventures. Arizenda sat opposite me, and looked extremely well. She appeared prouder and more dignified than her sister. Like her, she was a blonde, with beautiful yellow hair and blue eyes. In figure, she was somewhat more graceful than the former, and was a little taller than myself, being about five feet ten inches in height. She also had a sympathetic voice, and I thought her possessed of more sentiment than her sister.

I now came to the conclusion that she and not Estas was the girl I should have loved, and began to wonder why I had bestowed my affections on the latter. However, it was evident now that I had made a mistake in doing so.