The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1854-09-06

| light beamed from his eyes, even as if some
desperate conceit had entered his mind Sht
did not observe it, but rising said:
"You may now escort me back to the CITY
Edvardo. The evening dews will soon begin
to tall, and L must dress for the tertula which
give to-night-you will be there!'
II WILL angel mia!'' responded the cavalier
as he led her forth. X
II was the still hour of midnight, and gen
Rosas was alone in his private chamber, seated
beside a table filled with papers and documents
now reading and singing one, ,and then another
Yes, while his>people were enjoying the quie
rest which nature demands, he, the Creates
among them, was toiing for their benefit labor
ing both in mind and body for their good.
His daughter was beside him ,busilY engaged
in copying private letter for her father bu
started, as a gentle tap at the door announced a
visitor.
"Who is there?" said the stern general as he
laid his hand upon a richly mounted weapon
which lay near him.
"The sentinel!" was the answer, in low
respectful tone.
"Whatis wanted?
Il bear present for your excellency, which
has just been left, with strict orders to be de-
livered to your excellency alone"
'sEnter!-this, methinks, is strange hour
for a present. From whom doth it Gomez"
81 know not your excellency,' said the sol
der, as he laid neat square box of rose
wood upon the table, and placing the key on
the card which was fastened on its top, de-
parted.
"Open it daugher, l have not timc,' said
the general, as he again turned his eyes to a
military report which he was reading.
"Oh, [ know who it is from! 1t is in his
hand writing!' exclaimed she, as she glanced
at the card upon its top. 'Oh, what present
could he have destined for the father of her
whom ne loves''
"He, whom, daughter?"
''Father the superscription on this card is
IN the we'll known hand writing of the brave
cavalier, don Edvardo Escudero, and he has in
this delicate way sent you some king y present,
I'll warrant me''
"Well, we'll, open the box, my child, and
satisfy your curiosity.'
The lady took the key and turned it in the
lock, but as she raised the lid, the report of a
volley of pistols almost deafened her, and with
one wild scream she reeled and fell fainting to
the floor, amid cloud of smoke from the now
open box.''
In an instant the president sprang to her
side
ooh, God! my daughter is slainv' said he
in agony-but his heart was cheered again, as
she spoke:
"No-on, not slain, my father, but he--he
would have slain you to win me!' and again
she tainted. By this time the room was filled
with soldiers and officers, drawn hither by the
Internal machine, for such it was, explained the
plot against their generals life. A row OF
loaded pistols had been SO placed along the box
that any one standing in front of it to open it,
would receive the contents in his body. 1t had
been sent to Rosas, at this late hour, in expcc-
tation that be would open it himself.
Narrow had been the escape of the daughter
She had stood beside, instead Of in front of the
box, when she opened it, but the fair hand
which her lover had kissed but so shortly be-
fore, was now stained in several places with
blood where the balls had grazed it, her arms
and laced sleeve were blacked with the smoke,
but worse than all was the wound her pure
heart had received in the discovery of this hor-
rible attempt upon her fathers life, by one
whom she loved and trusted, and who would
have made her an orphan to hasten her mar
riage. But she had named him to her father,
and within one hour after the discovery of the
plot, Edvardo Escudero was rraigned before a
drum-head court martial. Her danger, confess
sion, and the discovery of his hand writing, had
so thrown him off his guard that when inter-
rogated he made no denial. Brief was the trial.
He was sentenced to be shot on the Retro, or
military plaza at sunrise. With naughty com
posure he heard his sentence for he yetdreamed
that she-she who was all powerful with her
father, loved, and would ntercede for, and
save him
But he knew not her high, stern sense of
duty, if he thought that love and pity would
have pardoned him who would have murdered
her father. In vain he sent to seek an interview
with her. Her answer to his message was brief
but she would deign no other.
"Tell him to ask Gods mercy-there is
none for him on earth! No, not were he my
brother.
And when at the mornings first light, the
weeping mother and sisters of the condemned
knelt at her feet and prayed for one word Of in
tercession, (for they knew that even yet she
could save that son and brother, if she would
but ask his life of her father, when in the ago
ny of their souls they spoke of his youth
beaty-and bravery-all now about to be bu-
ried in the tomb Of disgrace with a cold, stern
ook, as if her innermost veins were frozen, she
''He would have made me fatherless!'
And while in that energy of despair that
would not listen to refusal, they yet knelt in
heir tears and supp1ications, the first ray of the
mornings sun cast its soft light upon her pale
cheek, quick, rattling volley of musketry was
heard in the direction of the Retro. AS its
sound struck her ear, she gasped, her tall and
graceful form quivered like an aspean leaf amid
he gale, she staggered toward the window, and
IS she saw the white wreaths of smoke rise
lightly toward the sky, over the spot where now
ay bis corpse, she murmured:
':.God have mercy on his soul!' and tainted
Duty had triumphed over love and mercy,
out terrible had been the struggle in the breast
If that noble and patriotic woman. May hea-
zen richly reward her.
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