The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, June 30, 1905, Image 3
I Sir Henr\
j buccy*
By CYRUS TOW
Author of "The Soul
- ! of Country," "The C
I COPY RIGHT, 190 5. BY C. W,
I
"I could kill you as you stand there!"
he cried In growing rage. "Rut the
memory ofj, our ancient friendship
stays my hand. You shall have a
chance. Where Is your weaponl"
"Strike, If It please you. 1 snrm
nothing but dentil," answered Alvara
do, making no effort to defend himself.
"Ilast deserved It at my hands,
then?" exclaimed the now Infuriated
A ' 1 U T-l.
?* ?c iwunr.
"Stay!" Interrupted the viceroy, reentering
the room. "Whq^ means this
assault upon my captain? Donna Mercedes?"
"She revives," Mid the duenna.
"Is It thou, seuoru?" said the viceroy.
"I sought tlice unavnlllngly."
"Your highness," said the old wo- I
man. "I missed the senoritn and found
her here."
"And how came you unbidden Into
my private cabinet, Don Felipe?"
"Your excellency, Senora Agnpldn
found me In the corridor. She was dlstrnught
over her lady's absence. W#
knocked. There was no answer. We
entered. I crave your pardon, but It
was well I came, for I found my betrothed
and my Imst friend alone here,"
he ]>o!nted gloomily. "A Spanish gentleman
alone at this hour of the night
with"?
"8llence!" thundered the viceroy.
"Wouldst asperse my daughter's
name? Darest thou? By heaven, you
^ hold a weapon in your hand. I am old,
but? Uiinrd thyself!" he called, whipping
out his sword with astonishing
agility.
"I cannot light with you," said De
Tobar, lowering his point. "But explain!"
"The Donua Mercedes Is as pure as
heaven," asserted Alvarado.
nirn wuy <ii?i you itiu mo strike and
stand defenseless a uiomeut since?"
"Because I love her and she Is yours."
"Death!" shouted P? Tobnr. "Take
up thy sword!"
"Stay." broke in the old viceroy
quickly. "Keep silent. Alvnrodo. "Let
l ie tell It nil. 1 am her father. 1 would
tnusult with the captain upon the journey
of the morrow and other matters
of state. With us here whs my daughter.
Is there nuglit to provoke thy
jealousy or r.v."* in this? Overcome by
?or? t! e events of the day, she fainted.
One of tis had to go for aid.
'Twas not meet that the young man
should go to the women's apartments;
1 left them together."
"Alone?" queried l)e Tobar.
"Aye. alone. One was my daughter,
a Do Lara, and she was senseless. The
other was almost my son. I knew him.
He had proved himself. I could trust
hlra."
"Your excellency, I thank you!" cried
Alvurado. seizing the hand of the old
nobleman aud carrying it to bis lips.
"You snld you loved Uer," said De
Tobar, turniug to Alvarndo.
"And so I do," answered Alvurado.
"But who couhl lielp It? It Is an Infection
1 have caught from my friend."
"Have you spoken words of love to
her? Have you pleaded with her? Did
JVU UJtrn UHV UJ llll|>Ulllllllt'Ul(
"I>on Felipe," cried Donna Mercedes,
who had kept silent at first, hardly
comprehending, mid then holding her
breath at the denouement, "hear me!
!N" Captain Alvnrndo's manner to me has
been coldness Itself?nay, he aearcely
manifested the emotion of a friend."
Hhe spoke with a bitterness and resentment
painfully apparent to Alvarndo,
but which In his bewilderment
Don I'ellpe did not discover.
"I swear to you, senor," she went on
cunningly, '"until this hour I never
heard him say those words, *1 love
you.' But this sce.no is too much for
me. I cauuot bear It. Help me hence.
Nay, neither of you gentlemen. With
Honors Agnplda's aid I can manage.
Farewell. When you wish to claim
me, Don Felipe, the betrothal shall be
carried out. and I shall be yours. .
Good night."
De Tolxtr sprang after her and caught
her hand, raising It respectfully to his
lips. > *
"Now, senor," ho cried, turning back.
"we *can discuss this question unhindered
by the presence of the lady. Yon
said yoti loved her. How dare yon, a
man of no birth, whose very nam* la
an assumption, lift your eyes so high?"
"rtita from vau. m* frl<mil I" orlad
Alvarado, whiter than erer at this Insult.
"Sir," Interposed the voice of the
viceroy, "restrain yourself. 'Tie true
we know not the birth or name of this
young ninn whom I have honored with
my confidence, upon whom you have
bestowed your friendship, but he hath
ver shown himself? and I have watched
him from his youth?a gentleuian, a
Spanish gentleman whom all might emulate.
You wrong him deeply"?
"But he loved her."
"What of that?" answered the viceroy.
"Aye," cried Alvarado, "I do love her,
t and that I make no secret of It from
you proves the sincerity of my soul.
Who could help loving her, aud much
U?f a man In my position? For, In so far
as was proper in a maiden, sbe has been
hind to me since T was a boy. I cher.
. ??h no hopes, no dreams, no ambitions.
S ' I locked ray passion within my breast
ami determined to keep It there thougb
It killed me. Tonight, with her helpless
at my
.
r Morgan,!
iNEER
NSEND BRADY,
therners," "For Love
".rip of Honor," Etc.
, DILLINGHAM COMPANY
you by my kniglitly honor, by thut
friendship thnt hath subsisted Itetwecn
us of old, thnt from tliln hour those
words shall never pass my llpn ngalu;
that from tlila hour I nhnll be nn silent
an before. Oh. trust me! I ntn sadly
torn. Thou hnnt nil, I nothing! If thou
cnnat not trust n?e? I bade you strike
before, strike now nnd end It nil. Your
exeelleney, bid him strike."
"Thy life Is not thine." answered the
older man. "It bclougs to Spain. We
have fallen 011 evil times, and thy country
needs tlilne arm. Thou hast said
aright. Senor de ^"obar," he cried, "he
Is thy friend. Take him back to thy
affection. I am nn old man and a father.
but were I young nnd one so
benutlfnl crossed my path as Donna
Mercedes?by Our I July he hath excuse
for anything! He speaks the truth,
though It be to his own hurt, t'nnst
stand unmoved, senor, iu thy happiness
before such misery as that?"
"Dominique, forgive me!" cried De
Tobar. "I wns wrong. I nm ashamed.
Thou couldst not help it. I forgive
thee. I love thee still."
He made as If to embrace his friend,
but Alvnrado held him off.
"Wilt trust me fully, absolutely, entirely?"
"With all my life." answered De Tobar.
"Thou shalt be tried.** said the vice
ru.v. we marcn toward the Orinoco in
three days. I had proposed to establish
Donna Mercedes at La Guayra under
care of Alvarado."
"Not now, your excellency!" cried the (
young man.
"Nay; I shall, provided De Tobar is
willing." j
"A test, a test!" answered that young t
man. "Gladly do I welcome it. As
thou lovest nic and as I love tbee,
guard my betrothed."
I "Your excellency, tuke me with you
to the Orinoco and let Don Felipe stay
nt home with Donna Mercedes in La
| Ouayra."
"I am no experienced soldier to command
a town," protested De Tobar.
"Nay," said the viceroy. "It shall
be as we have said. Wilt tliou take
the charge?"
"Aye, and defend it with all my
soul!" nnswered Alvarado firmly.
"Senor Alvarado and Don Felijlo, you
have shown yourselves true Spanish
gentlemen this night, hidalgos of
'Guard thyselfI"
whom Spain may well be proml," orled
the viceroy In pleased and proud content.
"To you, De Tobar, I ahaII give
my daughter with assurance and pride,
and were there another to bear my
name I could wish no better husband
for her than you, my poor friend.
Now, the hour Is late; I have much tb
say to Alrarado. Don Felipe, you will
pardon me? Good night."
"Good night, your excellency,"
promptly returned De Tobar. "1 shall
see you In the morning, Dominique,
ere you set forth for Da Guayra. I
lore thee and trust thee, my friend."
CHAPTER XII.
mHEY set forth early in the morning.
There was a cool freshness
in the air from the storm
of the flay before, and If they
wished to avoid the necessity of traveling
In the heat of the day early departure
was necessary. Although the
season was summer in a tropical Innd
not far from the equator, the altitude
| of Caracas lowered the ordinary temperature
to an agreeable degree, but
after they crossed the pass of La Veta
and began the descent toward La
Guayra they would be within the confine#
of one of the hottest localities on
me race or rne gioDe.
Early aa It waa, {he viceroy and hla
officers, including, of course, De Tobar,
were assembled in the patio to bid the
travelers godspeed. While De Lara
gave a few parting directions to Alvarndo,
Don Felipe took advantage of
the opportunity and of his position as
the publicly affianced of Donna Mercedes
to address her a few words in
farewell, which she received with listless
indifference. The flnal preparations
were soon over. Don Felipe lifted
Donna Mercedes to the saddle of
her Spanish Jennet; some of the other
gentlemen assisted the Senora Agaplda
to the back of the sure footed mule
whlctf she had elected as her mount;
Alvarado saluted and sprang to the
back of his mettlesome barb, ami, followed
by a half dozen troopers who
constituted the escort, the rear being
brought up by servants with pack
mules carrying the personal baggage
of the two ladles, the little cavalcade
moved off, the gentlemen in the viceroy's
suit standing bareheaded in the
doorway ao they disappeared under the
trees and began the ascent toward the
paaa.
Alvarado, wfcoao white, h???a M tico
berried mat ho hafl pytfil * aJeigJtaa
*
night, rode at the bead of the column.
Some distance in front of him rode a
trooper, for there were even then
thieves, wandering bands of lnastcrlea-i "
men who levied bloody toll on travelers
from the capital whenever they got
op|M>rtunlty. Next to the captain come
the sergeant of the little guard, then
the too women, followed clt/sely by
two more of the soldiers, after that the
little pack train, which he had ordered
to close up niul keep In touch after
thev loft tln? oitv nini 11 'k
- ? ~ t ? ? , iuoi VI an, IUC
two remaining soldiers to bring up tho
rear.
The soldiers, servants and muleteers
were in high spirits. The day was
pleasant; the scenery, though familiar,
was at the saiue time gruud and beautiful,
and they were happy?all, that is,
except Houna Mercedes, the duenna
and Alvarndo.
The worthy Kcnoru Agapida with
womanly shrewdness m more than suspected
the true state of ufTulra. Indeed,
Mercedes, who loved the old
woman, who had been as u mother to
her. her own mother having died When
she was a mere child, had scarcely
taken the trouble to conceal her misery.
and tho old woman's heart was
wrung whenever she looked at the
drooplug tlgurc at her side. She would
fain have brought the (lush of happiness
to the face of the girl she loved
by throwing her into the arms of Alvarado,
but us a distaut connection of
the De Larns herself the worthy dame
had her own liotious of pride, and her
houor would not permit her to do anything
for which the viceroy could
properly fault her.
When Mereedes had met Alvarado
early in the morning she hud acknowledged
his profound salutation with the
curtest and coldest of nods. She was
furiously and bitterly angry with him.
for. between duty, honor, friendship
and her love, lie had not chosen her.
She knew that be loved her. She had
known It u long time, and, if she had
the slightest doubt, the sincerity with
which he had spoken the ulght before,
the fierce, passionate fervor of the
kisses that he liqd pressed upon her
lips, his utter abandonment to his passion,
had more than satisfied her. Yet
when she hnd offered to throw everything
to the winds?love, duty, obedience?If
he would ouly take her away,
he had hesitated. With her, a woman
who had all Venezuela at her feet,
held In his arms, he had repulsed her,
refused her! lie hnd heard the open
confession of her overwhelming love
for him, and he had resisted her!
With the feel of her heart beating
against his own he had strained her
to his breast and prated of honor and
duty!
She was mad with anger and disappointment.
She loathed him; she hated
him; she rnged against him in her
henrt. Why hud he uot killed De Tobnr
where he stood, seized her In his arms,
braved the anger of her father and
galloped awny?anywhere out into the
mysterious southland where they coukl
bo together? Well and good?she would
marry Don Felipe. She would assume
u happiness that she could not
feci and kill him with the sight of it.
He had disdained her; he should suffer,
suffer In proportion to his love, such
torments as he hnd made her suffer
Inst night?shame, disappointment, Indignation.
Hhc hnd not slept the entire night,
either, tliinklug these things, yet it had
not nil l>een pain, llow nobly he had
lied to save her?he to whom a He was
worse than death! Ho had tried to assume
dishonor for her sake. He loved
her?yes, there was no doubt of It;
She closed her eyes with the thought,
and her whole being was filled with exquisite
anguish. He loved her, he was
made for her, yet when he might have
taken her he refused. De Tobar was .
Indeed n brave and gallant gentleman,
but his qualities were as moonlight to
the sunlight compared to those of Alvarado.
In spite of herself, though
tbo mere suggestion of It angered her,
she found herself obliged to grant that
there was something noble In that position
he had assumed which so filled
her with fury. It was not with him
a question of loving duty aud honor
more than herself, but It was a question
of doing duty and preserving honor,
though the heart broke and the
soul was rent in the effort.
In spite of her careful avoidance of
his eyes, her cold demeanor, that mornlug'
she had marked the haggard, poje
face of the youug soldier to whom she
had given her heart, which showed
that he, too, had suffered. She watched
him as he rode, superb horseman
that he was, at the head of the little
cavalcade. Tall, straight, erect, graceful,
she was glad that he rode in advance,
with his back to her, so that she
might follow him with her eyes, her
gaze unheeded by any but Senora
Agapldu, and for ber she did not care.
As he turned at Intervals to survey
his charges, to see that all were keeping
closed up and In order, by furtive
glances she could mark with exnltatlon
the pallor that had taken the place of
the ruddy hue on the fair cheek of her
lover. She could even note the black
circles under the bine eyes beneath the
sunny hair, so different from her own
midnight crown.
And indeod hi* thoughts were bitter.
What must she think of him ? Us
had been a too I. Happiness had been
his for the taking, and he had thrown
it away. Why had he not brushed De
Tobar out of his path, silenced the viceroy?no,
not by death, but by binding
him fast?and then taken the woman
he loved and who loved him, for she
had proved It by her utter abandonment
of herself to blm7 Those old soldiers
who had served him for many
years would have followed him wherever
he led. The viceroy's arm was
long, but they could have found a haven
where they could have been together.
God had made them for each
other, and he had refused. He bad
thrust her aside. Uo had pushed the
cup Of happiness from his own lips
He wished It 'was all to do over again. I
Now it was too late. To the chains of
duty, honor, gratitude, had been added
that of his plighted word. Knowing .
Ills love, De Tobnr, his friend, had I
trusted him. Knowing his daughter's
love, the vlcetoy hatl nlso trusted him.
He was locked with fetters, bound and
sealed, helpless. Aud yet the temptation
grew with each hour. He had suspcctnd,
he had dreamed, he had hoped.
Hint Mercedes loved him; now he was
sure of It. Oh. what happiness might
have been his!
What was this mystery about Ids
birth? lie had been picked up a baby
in a deserted village outside of Panama.
He had l?een found by the Count
de Lara, who had led his troops to the
succor of that doomed towff. which unfortunately
he had reached only after
tne buccaneers hnd departed. Search
had been made for his parents, but
without success. The viceroy, finding
none to claim the bright faced baby,
had given him u name and had caused
him to be brought up In his own household.
There was nothing In hia apparel
to distinguish him save the exquisite
fineness and richness of the material.
Thrown around Ids neck hnd
heeu n curiously wrought silver crucifix
on a silver chain, nnd that crucifix
he hnd worn ever since. It lay upon
his breast l>eneuth his clothing now.
It was the sole object which connected
him with his past.
Since he hnd reached man's estate
he hnd thought of these things often
and hnd prayed that In some way, nt
some time, the mystery might be solvThe
crucifix
ou, ror top suspense was worse than
any assurance, however dreadful. lie
had often thought with longing upon
his father, his mother. He despaired
at Inst of ever finding out anything.
What mattered It now? He might bo
of tho proudest and most honorable
Uncage In New Spain, a Sotomayor.
a Bobndllla, even a I>e Guzman. It
would ndvantage him nothing since he
hnd lost Mercedes. In spite of himself
he groaned aloud, and the girl riding
a llttlo distance behind him heard
the sound of anguish in his voice.
Her heart, which hnd been yearning
toward him with Increasing force, was
stirred within her bosom.
"Illdc thou here," she said suddenly
to Senorn Agaplda. "I go forward to
speak with Captain Alvarado."
.''But, senorlta, thy father"?
' "J* It not permitted that I speak with
the captain of the soldiery who escort
me?"
"Certainly, If I am by."
"I do not choose to have it so," replied
Mercedes, with all the haughtiness
of her father. "Remain here. I
will return presently."
Brushing her aside with an imperious
wave of her hand and n threatening
glance before which the poor duenua
quailed, for her charge had never
shown such spirit before, Mercedes
struck her Spnnlsh jennet with the
whip she carried, passed around the
intervening soldier, who courteously
gave way to her, and reined In her
steed by Alvarado's horse. 80 close,
luunu, o tin Blic IU IMU 1~U|?IUU1 IUUI HUC
almost touched him. It was good to
nee the light leap In his eyes, the flush
come Into his pale cheek, ah he became
nwnre of her presence.
"I>onnn Mercedes!" he cried in surprise.
"Is anythlug wrong? Where Is
the Kenora Agapida?"
"Nothing Is wrong. I left her there."
"Shall I summon her?"
"Art afraid to speak to me, to a
woman, alone, Sir Captain?"
"Nay, senorlta, but 'tis unseemly"?
"Wouldat thou lesson me In manners,
master soldier?" cried the girl
haughtily.
"Cod forbid, lady, but thy father"?
"He laid no Injunction upon me that
I should not speak to you, sir. Is that
forbidden ?"
"Of course not, but"?
"But what, sir? It Is your own
weakness you fear? You were strong
enough last night. Have you by
chance repented?"
There was such a passionate eagerness
In her voice and such a leaping
hope for an affirmative answer in the
glance she bent upon him that he could
scarce sustain the shock of It. His
whole soul had risen to meet hers, coining
as she came. He trembled at her
propinquity. The voice of the girl
tkrllln.1 Kim mm
The sergeant who followed them oat
of respect for their confidence* checked
the pace of hi* troop horee somewhat,
and the two advanced dome distance
from him out of earahot. The unhappy
duenna watched them with nnxloun
eyes, bnt hesitated to attempt to Join
them. Indeed, the way was blocked
for such an Indifferent horsewoman aa
ahe by the adroit maneuver* of the sergeant.
He was devoted to his young
commander, and be bad surmised the
state of affairs also. He would have
had no scruples In facilitating a meeting,
even an elopement. The two lovers,
therefore, could speak unobserved,
or at least unheard, by any stranger.
"Lady," said Alvarado at last, "I am
Indeed afraid. You make the strong
weak. Your beauty?forgive me?masters
me. Tempt me not! I can stand
no more!" he burst forth with vehemence.
"What troubles thee, Alvarado?" she
said sdftly.
"Thou?and my pllghtad wojrd."
"You chose honor and duty last night
wfeen you might have had me. Art still
to the same mind?"
"Senorita, this subject Is forbidden."
*oa
veJ&StiL"
I
from all injunctions of sileuce. I, too,
am a De Lara, mid in my futhor's ab- X
senee tbo bead of the house. The duty R
thou hast aworu to him thou owest me. f
Art Mill lu the name mind oh last night, v
I aayi" v
"Last night 1 was a fooll" R
"Ami HiIm morning?" I1
"I am n Hlnve." B
"A (dure to what? To whom?"
"Donna Mercedes," ho cried, turning ?'
an Imploring glance upon her. "press t
me no further. Indeed, the burden is t
greater than I can bear." u
"A slave to whom?" alio went on in- 11
siatently. She laid her hand upon bis
strong arm nud bent her head close toward
lilin. They were far from the others
now, uud the turns of the winding
road c&nccaled them.
"A slave to whom? Perhaps to?me?"
she whispered.
"uave mercy on me!" be erhsl. "To
you?yen. But honor, duty"?
"Again those hateful word*!" she interrupted,
her dark f. V Hushing with
unger. "Were I a uian, loved I a woman
who loved me a* 1?as 1?as one
you know. I would have seized her in
spite of all the world! Once she had
fled to the shelter of my arms, while
life bent lu my heart none should tour
her thence."
"Thy father"?
"Lie thinks uot of my happiness."
"Say not so. Donna Mercedes."
" 'TIs true. It is a mutter of convenient
arrangement. Two ancient
names, two great fortunes, cry aloud
for union, and they drown the voice
of the heart. I am bestowed like a
chattel."
"Don Felipe"? *
"Is an honorable gentleman, a brave
one. lie needs no defense at my
hands. That much, at least, my father
did. There Is no objection to my suitor
save that 1 do not love him."
"In time?In time you may," gasped
Alvarado.
"Dost thou look wlthlu thine own
heart and see a fancy so evanescent
that thou speakest thus to iner"
"Nay, uot so."
"I believe thee, and were a thousand
years to roll over my head thine imngc
would still be found here."
She laid her tiny gloved hand upon
her breast as she spoke In a low voice,
and this time she looked nway from
him. lie would have given heaven and
earth to have caught her yielding
figure in his arms. She drooped lu
the saddle beside him In a pose which
was a couresslou of womanly weakness,
ami she swayed toward him as
If the heart In her body cried out to j
that which beat in his own breast.
"Mercedes! Mercedes!'' he suld.
"You torture nie beyond endurance! s
Go back to your duenna, to Seuora
Aguplda, 1 beg of you! I van stand no
more! 1 did promise and vow in my
heart?my honor?my duty"?
"Aye, with men It is different," said *
the girl, and the sound of a sob in her
voice cut him to the heart, "and tlieso
things are above love, above every- j 1
thing. I do not?I cannot understand. '
I cannot comprehend. You have rejected
me. I have offered myself to
you a second time after the refusal 1
of last night. I, too, am a slave. I '
love you. Nay, I cannot marry Don
Felipe de Tobac. 'Twere to make a
sacrilege of a sacrament."
"Thy father"?
"1 have done my best to obey him.
I can no more."
"What wilt thou do?" ?
"This!" 1
The road at the point they had ar- s
rived wound sharply around the spur J
Hi* in*ant promptness saved her 1
of the mountain which arose above
them thousands of feet on one aide and <
fell abruptly away In a terrific precl- l
pice upon the other. As she spoke she t
struck her horse ag/Un with the whip, c
At the same time by a violent wrench t
on the bridle rein she turned him swiftly
toward the open clIfT. Quick as t
she had been, however, Alvarado's own 1
movement was quicker. lie struck t
spur into bis powerful barb and with t
a single bound was by her side lu the g
very nick of time. Her horse's fore- t
feet were slipping among the loose
stones on the edge. In another second
they would both be over. Alvarudo
threw his right arm around her and
with a force superhuman dragged her
from the saddle, at the same time forcing
his own horse violently backward i
with his bridle hand. Ills Instant
promptness had saved her, for the
frightened horse she rode, unable to
control himself, plunged down the cliff
and was crushed to death a thousand
feet below.
CHAPTER XIII.
"U ?1Y CJodr*,cried the young sol1I
dler hoarsely, straining her
! j || to his breast, while endeavor'
* Ing to calm his nervous and
excited horse. "What would you have
doner'
"Why didn't you let me go?" she asked,
struggling feebly In his arms. "It
would all have been over then."
"I could not. I love you."
The words were wrong from him in
spite of himself by her deadly peril,
by her desperate design, which he had
only frustrated by superhuman quickBees
and strength. He was pale, shak- ;
mmetYed, Cor her.
Ah he spoke those words. "I love
ou," ?o blissful for her to hour, she
lipped her nru> around hi* neck. lie
orgot everything -honor, duty, hi*
ronl?everything he threw to the
rinds. Before the passion which
ought dentil when denied liiui Ids own
lowers of resistance vanished. He
trained her to his breast and bent hJ t
lend to kiss her. *| nil" ~nd again he
rank at the upturned fountain of afection.
her lips. The shook had been
oo much for htm. lie had seen her
ipon the verge of eternity. She thought
lothing of that In her present Joy. She
TKe others were far behind
mly realized tluit she was in his arms
ifcnlti, that ho had kissed her, and boween
1 Lie kisses ho poured out words
hnt were even greater caresses.
The others were far behind. They
vere alone ui?on the mountain iltlr.
vltli the rooks I>oliind and the great
lupphlre Ron of the Caribbean before
horn. He held her close to his hrcant.
ind they forgot everything hut love as
hey gently pricked along tlio road. It
vas near noon now, and, as the road a
'urlong farther dol>ouched Into an open
dateau shaded by trees and watered
>y a running brook which purled down
he mountain side from some InaccMSi>le
cloud swept height, it was a littlng
dace to make camp, where the whole
arty, tired by a long morning's trav1.
could repose themselves until the
treeze of afternoon tempered the heat
>f the day. Here he dismounted, lift
n hit irom norse, una moy ntoou together
side by side.
.' You have saved mo," she whispered.
'You have drawn me back from the
loath that I sought. Clod lias given me
o you. We shall never bo parted."
"I am a false friend, an ungrateful
servitor, a forsworn man, a perjured
soldier!" he groaned, passing his hand
ivor his pale brow as if to brush away
lie Idea consequent upon his words.
"But thou hast my love," she whlaicred
tenderly, swaying toward him
igain.
"Yes?yes. Would that It could crown
lomethlng else than my dishonor."
"Say not so."
"1 had been faithful," he went oa as
f In Justllleatlon, "had I not seen thee
>11 the brink of that cliff, and then
lion wort In my arms?I was lost"?
"And I was found. I leaped to death.
[ shut my eyes as I drove tlio lior?e
ovarii the cliff, and I awakened to
bid myself in your arms?In heaven!
.et nothing take me hence."
"It cannot be," he aalil. "I must go
o the viceroy when he returns from
he Orinoco war and tell lilm that I
lave l>etrayed liiui."
"I will tell him," she nuswered, "or
rllt thou tell him what I tell theel".
ihe went ob. '* v "Surely."
i any to uun uiui 1 sougnt
loath rather than lx? given to I>on
rolipo or to any one else. Toll lilm you
invert mo on the very hrlnk of the cliff
inrt that never soldier made a letter
Iglit for field or flag than thou didst
nake for thy honor and duty, but that
broke thee down. I had the power,
ind I used It. The story Is as old as
5den?the woman tempted"?
"I should have been stronger; I
ihould not have weakened. But I
ball fight no more. It Is all over."
"Ah, thou canst not," she whispered,
lestllng closer to him. "And tell my
'nther that should harm come to thee?
f In their anger he or De Tobar lay
innd upon thee?It will not advantage
heir plans, for I swear, If there be no
tber way. I will starve myself to
leath to follow thee!"
"I cannot shelter myself behind a
voman."
"Then I will tell tbem both myself,"
die cried. "You shall know, they shall
mow, how a Spanish woman can love."
"And thou shalt know, too," answered
Alvarado firmly, "that though I
>reak my heart I, an unknown, can
expatiate my guilt with all the pride
>f most ancient lineage and birth
ilghest of them all."
It wus a brave speech, but he did not
elease his hold upon Mercedes, and
n spite of his words when, confident
hat whatever he might say, however
le might struggle, he was hers at last.
he smiled up at him ag&lu. He kissed
ler.
|ro n coimmrro.] . tj
Plain Duty.
"He seen his duty ami done tt."
"If that Is the ease he went to night
ichool."
?? t }
Must See For Himself.
'Tls very hard to get the youth
Some thing" to understand
And to Induce the boy to take
Experience second hand.
rv~i- xi v. ai
viuj ? tuvu^u i
"lie Is such n dry humorist."
"Only when be hasn't the price of a
drink."
I
An Easy One.
"He run foretell events."
"lie must have n note coming due "
He Gets There.
Success Is not elusive.
In this the secret lies?
The steady advertiser
Ts the one who sets the prlsa.
Heroic Treatment.
"Her voice should be cultivated."
"It should be amputated."