Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-04-10

drew still further into tue deep shade OF
the trees and bent down her head to catch
the subject of his conversation.
II tell you, Tornaso, | viii no longer
be troubled with her humors and capri
ces. am tired of her, and would get
rid of her. You say you are wiling to
take her off my hands. If ysa eEe not
afraid of the she-tiger's claws, sle's thine,
and much good may she do thee"
Was it of her he spoke /? Sic listen
ed with a brain that seemed On IRE, whirl-
ing around within her aching head.
"WeI," replied another voice-he
whom Garcina had addressed" ! will
give thee that Andalusian mare, AMI also
the pair of siver hilted pistols to which
thou hast taken such a fancy. There
fore, if thou dost so agree, mine i. the
handsome tiger-cat, and thine the An
dalusian mare and the espistols mouited
with silver. Is it a bargain p
cit is" replied the voice of the nb-
Der captain.
Ina moment more, they were beyond
hearing. She stood with her lands
clenched tight together, her teeth Grind
ing convulsively, and her Jet black eyes
rolling about in their sockets-a pry to
the most horrible feelings of rage. They
likened her well to tiger-cat, fol she
did look like anything, at the moment
that bore the semblance of humanity.
With the wild light still burning bril-
liantly in her eye, and with her back
hair streaming heedlessly over her 1ecB
and shoulders, she hurried towards the
hut wherein the captive maiden was ON
fined. What she meant to do, she ait
not pause to ask herself, but there Wai
evil boded forth in every motion as slt
strobe desperately on. As she drev
near the door of the hut, she paus,l
hastily as she heard the unexpectet
sound of Garcina's voice. She recoile
a pace and listened-her lips pallid wit
emotion.
8 tell you, sweet one, you have nough
to fear. The love of brave man lik
Garcina is not to be lightly rejected
Am I not the chieftain of a band of brav
men, and will not lay at your feet ever
wish that your heart can name? Gas
aside, then, all thoughts of leaving here
and with me consent to dwell, queen c
these hills and valleys, and free as tn
eagle that builds its nest in the inacces
sible Businesses of the mountains !"
That face at the door was dreadful t
look upon! Pause, Garcina You ar
on the brink of a precipice!
81 love none but vou I never coul
love another. For the one who has hel
a place at my board and hearthside, sa
but the word, and she is swept ava
from thy path forever!'
All could he but have beheld th
Iivid facel VIII he not pause? Nh
he thus rush on to his destruction?
Thou shalt be all in all to me B
fore thee every knee shall be bent, al
the magnifcence of an empress sha
| surround thee! Only say the wishe
. for word, and render Garcina of Il
: Yellow Hand they slave forever"
The bolt has fallen! Garcina, til,
: hasl cast thyself upon thine own fa
and now look to the dreadful cons
> quence! The face without the por
> was no longer there
= The affrighted girl within drew furth
back at every word as it came hiss
forth from his lips, and now had retreat
into the remotest corner of the apa
u ment. Horror, disgust were marked l
i on her countenance, as she replied,
spirited tones, all her proud Castili
L blood boiling within her veins:
" Thine The mistress OF murd'
e er-an assassin priest-slayer-a r'
: Der! Sooner would I dig my own {
c happy grave, ndsink into its dark dep
perishing by the act Of my own ha
u than would accedeto such afate! Lea
me, monster or with your Poignard e
Of the life you take such deep delight in
u turing"
y He started ferceIy to his feet
I'd sprang towards her. His arms encirc
ID Iher with a grip of iron, and she felt
n powerless as an infant in that horri
'h embrace. Suddenly he uttered y
le cry, relaxed his grasp from her, and 81
e heavily to the earth. She had sueeee'
e in detaching his dagger from his s.
and dealt him a blow with It with all
er energy of desperation. 1t struck
G. full and sharp in the side. With a '
en- bound, she sprang towards the door
tn mastering all his expiring energies,
'rt seized her with one hand. while with