Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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^1 ?wc?=.. ?. I I Sir Henri : % bucc/ iSfcitl* ' * ?* 1 By CYRUS *TO<W Author of "The Sou | f of Country/* "Th? I COPYRICHT, 1003. BY C. W S ouy, ibougb they bad' enjoyed brlei opportunity for personal Intercourse, the very Impossibilities of free com munlcntlon, (ho difficulties of meeting, bad hat added fuel and lire to tholr affection. Love had flamed Into these two hearts with all the Intensity of their tropic blood and troptc land. Alvarado's passion conld feed for days and grow Inrge upon the remembrance ^ of the fragrance of her hand when he B a kissed It last In formal salutation. Wr Mercedes' soul conld Infold Itself In tho recollection of the too ardent pressure of his Hps, tho burning yet respectful glance ho had shot at her, by others unperccived, when he sold farewell. The situation was complicated In every possible way for Afrarado. Had he been a man of family, like his friend, De Tobnr, lie would have gone boldly to the viceroy anil asked for the band of his daughter. In which case lie thought he would have met with no refusal; but, being Ignorant of his birth, having not even a legal right to tho name he'bore, he knew that the proud old hiilalgo would rather see his daughter dead than wedded to him. Of all the ancient splendors of the Spanish people there was left them % but one thing of which they could be proud?their ancient name. De Lara, who belonged to one of the noblest and most distinguished families of the Iberian peninsula', would never conynt to , Jf degrade his line by allying his only daughter to a nobody, however worthy j " , In other respects the suitor might prove- to be. 1 Again, had Mercedes' father'*!>oon nn.v other than the lifelong patron and friend to whom ho literally owed everything that he jwshpmwI, such wan the Impetuosity of Alvarado's disposition that at every hazard he would hare taken the girl by stealth or force from her father'* protection, made her 1:1* wife and sought an asylum In England or France or wherever he could. So desperate was his state of mind, so overwhelming his love, that he would have shrunk from nothing to win her. Yet Just because the viceroy had been a father to him. Just because he had loved him, bad been unexampled In his kindness >fnd consideration to him, lust because he reposed such absolutely uu'luilted confidence in him, the ; oung man felt bound In honor by fetters that he could not break. And there was Ms-friendship for t>e 'L'ob ir. There were many young gallants about the vice regal court wlio. Jealous of Alvarado's favor and envious Of his merits, had not scrupled in the face of his unknown origin to sneer, to mock or to slight?so far us it was safe to do either of these things to so brave and1 able a soldier. Amid these gilded youths I>e Tobar, with noble magnanimity and affection, had proved himself Alvarado's stanch friend. A romantic attachment had sprung up between tlio two young men, and the first confidant of De Tobar's I love affairs had been Alvnrado himself. To betray his friend was almost as bad as to betray his patron. It was not to be thought of. Yot how could lie. a man in whose blood?though It piny have been Ignoble for aught be knew?rau all the paksloin of his race wl.h the fervor and fire of the beet, a man wfco loved, as lie dhl, the ground upon wliUU the Scuorlta de Lara walked, stand by tamely and see her given to another, no matter who he might be? Spain under the last ]>oor, erased, bewitched, degenerate descendant the once formidable Ilapsburgs bad reached the lowest depths of Ignoralny uud decay. Alone almost under her flag Venezuela was well governed? from the Spanish standpoint, Utat Is. Pretn the native American point of view the role of even the gentlest of . Spaniards had made a hell an earth of the fairest countries of the new con- 1 tinent. Of all the cities and garrisons . which were under sway of the Viceroy de Lara, U Guayra was the best appointed and cared for. But It did not jrejulre a great deal of time or atifltion from so skilled a commander ai Alvarado tp keep things In proper shape. Time, therefore, hung heavily on his hands. On the other rtdo of the mountain range, after a descent of several thou* sopd feet to n beautiful verdsnt valley whose altitude tempered the tropic beet oi me iow ismuae into a salubrious and delightful climate, lay the palace of the viceroy and the city which surrounded It, Bt. Jngo, or Bnntlago de Leon, commonly called the city of Ca? racas. ~ Many a day had Jl tvarado "turned backward from the white walled, red roofed town spread out at his feet, baking under the palms, seething In the fierce heat, as If striving to pierce with his gaze the great Cordilleras, on the farther side of which In the cool white palace beneath the gigantic eel baa the queen of his heart made her home. He pictured her at all hours of the day; he dwelt upon her Image, going over again In bis mind each detail of her face and figure. He was mad, mad with love for her, craned with hopeless passion. There seemed to be no way out of bts misery but for him to pass his own sword through his heart, or to throw himself from the precipice, or to plunge Into the qjuel blue of the enveloping Carlh " i f MORfiAN, iNEER rNSEND BRADY, thernera,** "For Love Grip of Honor,** Etc. . DILLINGHAM COMPANY I bean?the color of the sea changed iti hi? rye with hi? temper, like a woman's j mood. Yet he was younft; he 1io|mh1 In plte of himself. lie prayed?for he ^va? not old enough to have lost faith? nod he planned. Resides, he was too brave a soldier to kill himself, and she was not yet married. f>he was not formally betrothed even, although It was well known that her father looked favorably upon He Tohnr's suit; no formal announcement had been made of It as yet. So, In spite of Ills Judg- i tnent. he dreamed. The thoughts of yonth and love pjre long, long thoughts. Indeed. That mortlng the young captain, engrossed In his emotions, was not aware Captaai Ahrando of tbe Approach of a messenger until 1 the clank of the man's sword upon the stone flags of tbe plasa caused him to lift his head. He was a soldier, on officer of tbe bodyguard of the viceroy, and he bore In his band a letter sealed with the De Lara coat of Arms. The messenger saluted and handed the packet to the captain. "Yesterday evening his excellency tbe viceroy charged me to deliver this lettar to yon today." "Fadrlqoe," called Alvnrado to n servitor, "a flagon of wine for the cav- j oiler. By your leave, sir," he continued, with formal politeness, opening the packet and reading the message: To the Captain Alvarado. Comandante of La Ouayra, Qreettiur I AS on* fatthffel to"h? fortunes of our family we would crave your honorablo presence at our palace in Santiago tomorrow evening. In view of your service and devotion wa have done you the honor to appoint you as one of the witnesses to the formal betrothal of our daughter. Donna Mercedes, to your friend, Don Felipe de Tobar. After that, as we have received appeals for help from the Orinoco country, we propose to lead hie meet catholic majesty's Imperial troops thither In person to overawe the natives,' and, reposing full trust In your fidelity and honor, we deign to commit tho Donna I Mercedes to your safe keeping In our city or La Guayra until we return. Theretor*. mako your pr*p*r*tlonr accordingly. Given under our futnd and seal. DE LARA, Viceroy. It had come! Th* old man, an a last token of fctt respect, had nominated him as a'Witness to the contract which, robbed him forever of hope and happiness. The joung man went white before the hpen eye of the messenger, who. In common with other i officers of the viceroy's court, suspected what was, indeed, concealed from no one save the father and lover. His heart almost stopped Its beating, yet, summoning his resolution, he recovered himself by an effort that left hhn trembling, the sweat bending his forehead. "Say to his excellency the viceroy that I thank htm for the honor he does ma. I shall wait npon him tomorrow and obey ills commands." CHAPTER X. 0LVARADO was alone In tha cabinet of the viceroy, to which his rank and the favor in which his excellency held hlra gave r him access at all times. He had ridden all day over the rough road that winds over the mouutalns from La Guayra to Caracas. The storm which had rushed down the mountain ride all afternoon matched the tuihnlt in his soul, and the sheets pf rain blown upon him by the fierce wind had not cooled the fever of hia pgttatlon. The unusual tempest was one of the most terrific that had swept over the coast in years. lie bad marked as he rode a huge ship far to seaward, gtsggerlpg slopg under shortened canvas and laboring tremendously in the heavy seas. Hut his thoughts were nq centered upon the situation In whloh o? rouna mmseir that tie bad not par tlcularly noticed the vessel, ultbougU passing ships were Infrequent sights Off the port of La Uuayra. Pale, haggard and distraught from his mental struggle, be had crossed the pass at the summit of the mountain and descended Into the fertile valley now sdrtp with rain and looking almost cold under the gray sky and had presented himself at the palace of the viceroy. He had changed his apparel after his reception, and his old sergeant had polished his breastplate until It fairly biased with light, for though the occasion was one^of peace he had felt that be ooald better sustain his part In the military uniform In which he had won his only title to consideration. Consequently his appearance in the brilliantly lighted hall of the palace among < the gay courtiers resplendent In magnificent attire, biasing with Jewels, | ttofw % souther note over the pro I ceedings. j It was as n soldier he had vou fame ! nnd the consideration of the viceroy; In no other capacity, so far as any man knew, had he the right to enter that assemblage of the rich and well born. It was as a soldier he weuld perforin that hardest of all dutios which had ever been laid upon him by his friend and patron^ the governor. Pale, stern, composed, he stood an iron figure of repression. 80 severe was the constraint that he pnt upon ' himself that he had glveu no sign of his emotion, even at the near approach of l>onua Mercedes, and the hand which Rigned his name beneath her j father's ns the principal witness- was as steady ns if It held merely the sword | in some deadly combat. He endured I passively tL'e affectionate greetings of the happy Ho Tolrnr, who was lntoxl cuted nt the nsmirnnce afforded by the betrothal of the coming realization of all his hope.*. lie sustained with firm! ness the confidence of the viceroy ej*d | the ndmlsnlons Dp I.nrn made to him In private <>f his pleasure In the sultj able And fortunate marriage which was there arranged. He even bore | without breaking one long, piteous appeal which had been shot at him from the black eyes of the unhappy Mercedes. To her Lc seemed preternaturally cold and Indifferent. He was so strong, : so brave, so successful. She had count! ed upon some Interposition from him, j but the snow capped Andes were no | colder than he api>eared, their granite , sides no more rigid and unsympathetic. It was with a feeling almost of anger | and resentment at last that she had signed the betrothal contract. | ltut the restraint ou the man was more than he could bear. Pleading indisposition, he early begged leave to | withdraw from the festivities which , succeeded the completion of the betrothal ceremony and the retirement of the ladles. At the suggestion of the viceroy, who said he desired to consult with him later in the evening, he went Into the deserted cabinet of the latter. The palace wna built In the form of a quadrangle around an open patio. A balcony * ran along the second story, passing the viceroy's cabinet, beyond i which was his bedroom and beyond ! that the apartments of his daughter. The rain had ceased ond the storm had . spent itself. It was a calm nud beautiful night. The moon, shining .with uvjjiu n|iicnuur mruugll IDC Open W1B' clow, dispensed with the necessity of lights. There was no one In the cabt* net when he entered, and he felt at last able to give way to lila emotion. Mercedes, though she was not married, was now lost to him beyood recourse. After the women withdrew from the hall with l>onna Mercedes there was no restraint put upon the young nobles, rtnd froth the other side of the patio came the sound of uproarious revelry and feasting, his friends and comrades with generous cheer felicitating the happy bridegroom that was to be. Alvarado waa alone, undisturbed, forgotten, and likely ..to remain so. IT-* put his head ' upon his hands and groaned In anguish. "Why should it not have been IT" he murmured. "la .he stronger, braver, a better soldier?Does he lore her more? itlches? Can hot acquire them? Fame? Have i-not a largo measure? Birth? Ah, ihat ls ltl My father! My mother! If I could only know! How she looked at me! What plteoua apt; pen! In her eyes! What reproach when I stood passive, cased In Iron, with a breaking heart! Mercedes! MerceI des!" I In his anguish he called the name , aloud. So absorbed and preoccupied ' In his grief had he been that he was 1 not aware of a figure softly moving along the balcony In the shadow. Hs ' did not hear a footfall coming through I the oncn window that into room, lie did not realize that he had ou auditor to his words, a witness to his grief, until a touch soft as a snowflake fell upon his fair head and a voice for \\4fcch he languished whispered In his ear: "You called me. I am come." "Senorlta Mercedes 1" he cried, lifting his head and gazing upon her It startled surprise, "now came 700 here?" he added brusquely, catching her hands with a fierce grasp in the < Intensity of bis emotion as he spoke. "Is this my greeting?'' she answered, surprised in turn that he had not Instantly swept her to his heart. She strove to draw herself away, and when he perceived her Intent he opened his hands and allowed her arms to fall by her side. "I have been mistaken," she went on piteously. "I am not wanted." She turned nway and stood full In the silver bar of the moonlight streaming through the casement. Her white face shone In the light against the dark background of the huge empty room ?that face with its aureole of soft, dark hatr, the faee of a saint, pale yet not passionless, of the honveu heavenA toft touch fall upon Ua head ly, yet with Just enough of earthly feeling In her eye* to attest that aha wa? a very woman after all. "Go not," he cried, catching her again and drawing her back. . Gone were hia resolutions, shattered was his determination, broken was his resistance. Sbe was here before hlra; t All AU?*4* he *ouk\ AtUia l"r < They ware nlonc almost for th?f ftrat time in their liven. It wai night: the balmy wind blow softly; the moonlight enrelotpert them. Bnc.h an opportunity would ttayer come again. "I Isehrd yon." she munnnrod. swaying tcynrsrU lUm. *1 heard. You seemed to hgjpwrferlng. I do not know why? something drew me on. You whispered ?you -'.were speaking?I?listened. I came fearer. Was your heart breaking too? <l)*9p!se roe!" Rtwjml her face In her hands. It was a cohfifcsslon she made. A wave of sbamf jfcwept over her. "rWJ>U? *1- *-- - -- ? /iu, viwii nrip Ilir, l lovo ycja!" And '^la time he gathered her In hid nrnvs .and drew her back Into the deeper shadow. "AnA you were ao cold," she whispered. **1 looked at you. I begged you with All my aoul before I signed. You did nothing, nothing! la there no help?" "l>*d ove me?" "With all my aoul," aha answered. i "Pdtf"- . . " Obscure"? "I.Ojkiy?perhaps Ignobly born"? ! "KCfi* l^vc, these are mere words to me. Itfeh or-poor, high or low, noble or IgnoIKlt, thou only' 'hast my heart.- It benh^gnd throbs only for thee. 1 have 1 thought, upon thee, dreamed upon thee, lovedr thee. I cannot marry Don Felipe. ->Jr;too, have the pride of tlje l)e Laras.:'r Aly father shall'tlnd It; t signed that contract under dnreea. You would'Jlo nothing. Oh, Alvnrado, Alvarado, wilt thou stand by and let me l?e taken'litto the arms of another? But no; I shall die before that happens." Mercedes," cried the unhappy young man, "I love thee, I adore thee,.!'"worship thee with all my heart -and soul! Were It not a coward's act I would have plunged my dagger Ihto my breast ere I witnessed trotbal tonight." , "Thou shouldst first hare sheathed It In mine," she whispered. "But oouldst S3j# ter use for thy weapon than you hare me kill Don Fe**Njv*"t)0, but defend me with It. There are hidden receaaea In the mountains. Tour soldiers worship you. Take, me way, away Into the undiscovered countries to the southward. A continent Is before you. We will And a new- Mexico, carre out a new Peru with your sword, though I want nothing 1 wt to t>e with you, alone with you, < my soldier, my lover, my king!" "Bat your plighted word?" " 'Tie-nothing. My heart was pllghted tcfcyou. That Is enough. Let us go. We may never hare the chance again," she olged, clinging to him. A fenrfill struggle was going on In Alrritafto's breast. What she proposed waslp very thing he would hare attempfkhf werp the circumstances other, than they were. But his patron, his friend, his mitttsrry ddty, hie honor as a soldier?the sweat beaded his forehead again. He had made up his mind at the betrothal to aire her un w? had abandoned hope; ha had put aalda possibilities, for be could see none. But here aha was In his arms, a 11 ring, breathing, vital, passionate figure, her heart beating against his own, pleading with him to take her away. Here ? was lore with all its witchery, with all Its magic, with all Its power, attacking the defenses of his heart, and the woman whom he adored as his very life. With all the passion In his being, was urging. Imploring, begging him to take her away. He was weakening, wavering. and the woman who watched him realised It and added fuel to the flame. "The lore I bear your father!' he gasped. "Bhould It bind where mine breaks? I am his daughter." "And Don Felipe Is my personal friend." "And my betrothed, but I hesitate not." "My oath as a soldier"? "And mine as a woman." "Gratitude?-duty"? "Ob, Alrarado, you lore me not!" she rrled. "These are the strongest X late dreamed a dream. Lend me your daggef. .There shall be no awakening. Without you I cannot bear"? As she apoke she plucked the dagger from the belt of the young soldier, lifted the point gleaming in the moonlight and raised It to her heart. He caught It instantly. "Noy no!" he cried. ".Olre back the Weapon." The pqplafd fell from hand. VTbou hast taken me) I tllhnk thee," fhP murmured, thinking the battle won as he swept her once more In his arms. mis lime ne Dent bla bead to bcr upturned face and pressed kiss after kiss upon the trembling lips. It was the tlrat time, aq<!| they abandoned tftemsfilvMl to their transports with all the fine of their long restrained pns lon, "And Is this the honor of Captain Alvarado," cried a stern voice as the viceroy entered the room?"my officer in whom I trusted? Death and fnryt I)onnn Mercedes, what do you here?" "The fault la mine," said Alvarado, stepping between the woman he loved and her Infuriated father. "I found Donna Mercedes In the cabinet when I came In. She strove to fly. I detained her?bv force. I nonred Into her ear a tale of 1117 guilty passion. Mine is the fault. She repulsed me. She drove me off." "The dagger at jour feetT" "She snatched It from me and swore to burj it in her heart unless I left her. I alone am guiltj." "Thou villain! Thou false friend!" shouted the viceroy, whipping out his sword. He was beside himself with fury, but there was a characteristic touch of magnanimity about his next action.- So handsome, so splendid, so noble, in spite of bis degrading confession, did the young man look that fct **? ft . ......... I "Drtw your sword. Captain Alrarado, for u I lire I shall run you through!" Alrarado's hand went to hie bolt; he unclasped It and threw It aside. "There Ilea my sword. I am dishonored." he cried. "Strike and end it all!" "Not ro!" screamed Mercedes, who had heard as If In a dose. "He hath not told the truth. He hath lied for me. I alone am guilty. I heard hint praying here In the still night, and I i-wine in, not ns. I threw myself Into his arms. I begged him to take me way. He spoke of lit* lore and friendship for yon. for l>on Felipe, lit* honor, hi* duty. I did indeed seise the dagger, hut lieeanac though he loved me he would still be true. On ray head be the shsme. Honor thin gentleman. my father, a* I?love liliu." She flung herself at her father'* feet and caught his hand. "1 love him!" she sobbed. "I love him!" "I* this true, Captain Alvnrado?" "Would she had not said so." answered the young man gloomily. "1* it true?" "I cannot deny It, my lord, nnd yet I am the guilty one. I was on the point of yielding. Had you not come In we should hare gone away." "Yet you had refused?" "I?1-hesitated." "Refused my daughter! And you, shameless girl, you forced yourself upon him?threw yourself Into his arms?" "Yes. 1 loved him. IMdst never love iu thine own day, my father? Didst never feel that life Itself were a* nothing compared to what beats and throb* here?" "But Don Felipe?" "He Is a gallant gentleman. I love him not fth ? "Press your daughter no further, Don Alvnro. She Is beside herself." gasped out Alvsrndo hoarsely. " 'Tis nil my fault. I loved her no deeply thnt she caught the feeling In her own heart. When I nm gone she will forget me. You have raised me from olwcurlty; you have londed me with honor; you have given me every opportunity. I will be true. I will be fntthful to you. Twill be death, but 1 hope It may come quickly. Misjudge me not, sweet lady. Happiness smiles not upon my passion; sadness marks me for her own. I pray 'twill be but for a little space. Give me some work to do thnt la this the honor of Captain Atvarado>* I may kill sorrow by losing my life, my lord. And thou, Donna Mercedes, forget mo and be happy with Don Felipe." "Never, never!" cried the girl. Bhe rose to her feet and came nearer to him. Iler father ntood by as if stunned. Bhe laid her arms around Alvarado's neck. She looked Into her lover's eyes. "You love me and I love you. What matters anything else?" "Oh, my lord, my lord." cried Alvarado, staring at the viceroy, "kill me, I pray, and end It all!" "Thou must first kill me!" cried Mercedes, extending her arms across her lover's breast. "Donna Mercedes," said her father, "thou bast put such shame upon the name and fame of De Lara as It hath never borne In GOO years. Thou hast been betrothed to an honorable gentleman. It is my will that the compact be carried out." "Oh, my God, my Ood." cried the unhappy girl, sinking Into a chair, "wilt thou permit such things to be?" "And, Alvarado," went on the old man, not heeding his daughter'9 piteous prayer, "I know not thy parentage nor to what station thou wert born, but I have marked you from that day when, after Panama, they brought you a baby Into my house. I have watch a you with pride and Joy. Whatever HpponalMUty \ tiave placed l>efor? you, irc^ b*v$ mot It Whatever demand that hard Circumstances have made Upon you, you have overcome It. For pvery teat there counts a victory. You h*T? done the state and me grcAt service, none irreater than tonight. With sueh a temptation before thee, that few men that I have come In contact with In my long life could have resisted, you have thrown It aside. You and your honor have been tried and uai found wanting. Whatever you may have been, I know you now to be the flneet thing on earth, a Spanish gentleman I Nay, with such evidence of your character I could, were It i>ossible, have set aside the claims of birth and station"? "Oh, my father, my father!" Interrupted the glr! Joyously. "And have given you Donna Mercedes to wife." "Your excellency"? "But 'tis too late. The betrothal has been made, the contract signed. My word Is passed. In solemn attestation before our hnl* church I h??? Ised to give my daughter to Don Felipe de Tobar. Nothing can be urged against the match"? "But lore," Interjected Mercedes. "That Is wanting." "It seems so," returned the viceroy. "And yet where duty and honor demand, love Is nothing. Donna Mercedes, thou bast broken my heart. That a Spanish gentlewoman should have shown herself so bold! I could punish thee, but thou art mine nil. I am an old man. Ferhaps there is some exeuee In love. I will say no mnnt hare your wortli, both of >??, | that there shall be no more of thle; that no other woM of affection for the other Hhall pans either lip forever, and that you will be forever allent about the event* of this nlftfit-" *> ? * " " . jnim mud iunt, \ npinin Aivaraoo, I said tlio girl. J "You have loTed nif," cried the yooaf man, turning toward I>onnn Mncedw, Firi* k.U m? I "and you have trusted me," tvowtng %m the old mnu. "Ilere are two appeals. Uod help nie, I cnnnot hesitate. Then shalt have my word. >VouKl this wgfe the Inst from my lips." "And he could promise; he could Mky i It!" walled the broken hearted woaalit "Oh, my father, he loves me not! 1 linve been blind! I promise thee on the honor of a I)e I,ara! I have leaned upon a broken reod." "Never," cried the old man. "hath be lovea th?? m truly and bo grandly as at this moment." * "It may be. It may be," sobbed the girl, reeling as she spoke. "Take me away. 'Tls more than I can bear." Then she sank prostrate, senseless, between the two men who loved her. CHAPTER XI. " j.y E must have assistance." cried lAJ the viceroy In dismay. "Alraf 1 rsdo, do you go and sum moil"? "Into the wnmon'* ?? lord"?" "Nnv, 1 will go. Watch you hers," niwwoml the old man. promptly running through the window and out ea the balcony toward the apartment* of his daughter. He went quickly, but making no noise, for he did not wish the events of the evening to bags*** , public. I^eft to himself, Alrarado, resisting the temptation to take the prostrate form of his love In his arms and cover her cold face with kisses, knelt down by her side and began chafing her hands. He thought It no breach of propriety to murmur her name. Indeed, he con Id not keep the words from his lips. Almost Instantly the viceroy doparted there was a commotion In the outer hall. There was a knock on the door, repented once and again, and bofore Alvarndo could determine upon a course of action Don Felipe burst Into the room, followed by Senora Agaptd*. the duenna of Donna Mercedes. i , "Y^ur excellency," oried the old-4Pbifhnn In agitation, '1 missed the BO noritn. I hare searched"? "But who Is this?" Interrupted De Tobar, stepping over to where Alrarado still knelt by the prostrate girl. | " 'Tls not the viceroy!" He lsld his hand on the other man's shoulder and recoiled In surprise. "Dominique!" he exclaimed. "What do you here, and who"? "There lies the Donna Mercedes!" shrieked the duenna. "She Is hurt?" asked Felipe, for the moment his surprise at the presence of Alrarado lost in his anxiety for hla betrothed. "I know not," answered the distracted old woman. "She lives," said Alvarado, rising: to his feet and facing his friend. "She hath hut fainted." "Water!" said Senora Agaplda. Both men started Instantly to hand her the carafe that stood on a table near by. Don Felipe was nearer and got It first. Senora Agaplda loosened the dress of the young woman and sprinkled her face and hands with the water, laying her head hack upon the floor as she did so, and in a moment the girl opened her eyes. In the darkness of the room, for no lamp had aa yet been lighted, she had not recognized In her bewilderment who was bending over her, for Alvarado had forced himself to draw back, yielding his place to De Tobar as If by right. "Alvarado!" she murmured. "She lives," said Don Felipe, with relief and jealousy tnlnglod In his voice. . and then he turnod and faced the e?aer. "And now. Honor Alavarado, perhapa you will be able to explain how you enme to be here alone at thla hour of night with my betrothed and why ah* Da ToUr recoiled in Mrpriw calls thy name! By 8t. Jngo, sir, hare you dared to offer violence to thle lady?" His hand went to bis sword. To draw It was the work of a moment. He menaced the young soldier with the point. ..... I ? mm wnlinuut,] ^ How to RcaoTkte Pearl*. Boil some bran In water and add a small quantity of salts of tartar and alum. Wash the pearls In this mixture, rubbing them gently between the fingers one at a time. Rinse In warm wa' tar and wipe dry. I^are to cool In a dark place.