The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-04-06
stern determination in Don Jose's eve

but he Qualleu not.
Don Jose Cannalles, you dare not
murder mel"
Murder! So it would be- No, I'll
not do that" said he, with a grim smile.
Il will give you one chance for your life"
The Don summoned his daughter, and
she came all radiant with her darl1'beau-
ty, but her cheek paled when she met
the cruel gaze of her father.
tsMy dear, dutiful daughter said
Don Jose, "yonr husband has just in
formed me of the marriage. I feel
erieved that you did not allow me to he
present; but, then, l suppose it was not
convenient. However, as l lost that
pleasure, have planned one for myself,
and, more magnanimous than you, have
called you in to witness it."
'sFatller! fathern' entreated Isabel,
her fears aroused by the mockery of bis
words father you. will not"
"Hashl DO not be alarmed, Now
60 ana sit by.him while l arrange mat
Eters fer the first act in this little dones-
tic drama. The second | should have
said. You played the first"
Huntington drew his wife, all trem-
bling with dread and alarm, to his side.
He did not yet know the cruelty that
Don Jose was capable of, or he would
not have sat there so quietly. Moreover,
he felt capable OF defending himself, if
the worst should come, so he gave his
attention to Isabel.
Don Jose first tried the doors, to
make sure that there was no avenue of
escape. Then he drew table into the
centre Of the room, and placed three
chairs around it. On the table he placed
a pack Of cards and a pistol.
Now, Senor Huntington, and wife. if
you will be so kind as to take your pla-
ces at the table Thank you! l will
now take the remaining seat
Isabel, take the little pistol there,
and the cards, and then l will explain
Now listen very attentiyely, or you will
not be al l. to sustain your parts.
You, my dear Isabel, shall shuttle
and deal the cards. You, my dear Sen
or Huntington, and myself, shall play
the game That there may be nothing
unequal, we viii exchange hands before
looking at tie cards, and you shall play
for me. and l for you. When 1 tell you
that the loser shall shoot the winner, l
know you will use all your SKILL
Huntington was dumb with horror at
the diabolical design of Canales.
DO you refase, Senorg'
You surely cannot be in earnest? 1t
is an internal idea, Don JOSEF
Il never was more in earnestt said
the Lon, grinding his teeth in rage q
"But if you do not choose to take ad-
vantage of this one chance, l will shoot
you without it. Deal the cards, Isabel"
The Dona Isabel had listened to her
fathers words in state Of apathy bor-
dering on insensibility and she obeyed
him mechanically.
Now, Senor, we will exchange hands
and proceed l am really quite impa-
tent But one hand, remember"
at is madnessr' exclaimed Mark
st is deviiish, Don Jose! If i should
win, / ceralinly should not raise my
hand against you" ...
go on!!' said Canalles, ansrily. 81
am not so soft hearted' y A
"But you will certainly spare her, my
wife, this horrible scene?'
go onw thundered Don Jose, grasp
ing the pistol. "Go on! or I'll
"Well, i will go on, said Mark, con-
vinced, at last, that there was no alter
native; ''and may God help me to frus
trate your murderous design"
No compliments, Senior. 1t is your
play. Ha! 1 take that. Now cover
this one. 1t is yours. We are one
apiece now. All! l take that, which
makes me two to your one. Reverse
the hands, and l am the loser, and you
die! Make peace with your God that
refused to help you One minute "a
Huntington was powerless. He had
been slow to believe that the Don would
carry ont the design, else he might have
been prepared Now he was at the
mercy of the enraged father. Already
the pistol was leveled at his head, and
the seconds were flying fast. He lean
ed across the table, and, kissing his wife
tenderly, bade her good-by.
As the last words left his lips, Don
Jose pressed the trigger, and Mark
Huntington fell at the feet Of Isabel.
"a gentleman and lady to see the
commandant, said the orderly, dotfing
his hat. 1F# @
"Mexican, scrgeant::''
american" asu
''Show them in"
"Marl1 Huntington, as / live!" ex-
claimed the old commandant, as the Wis,
itors entered the Office "Why, we sup
posed you had left the world. And the
lady,
is my wife, general. General -
Isabel
The old officer bowed low, and offer
ed Il seat. Then he resumed his CONVEX
sation with Huntington, who soon made
him acquainted with the particulars Of
the little game that nearly ended his life.
by George, it is wondegfal!" !" eX-
claimed the general. "And the Dona
Isabel drew the bail, while you and the
Don were havipstIiat little back handed
game! Really spiked the enemys guns
Well done, Mrs. Huntingdon. Please
accept my thanks for saving my Young
friend, huntington, and my sincere
wishes that you may find him worthy
But, Doh Jsse," tlrn;ng to Mark again;
where is he? and what"
''IIe is out Of reach, general, and ]
am glad Of it. No doubt he is sorry
enough Let him 60, general"
'.Quite right Was very angry, no
doubt. We are all Liable to it,
Don Jose has not reen seen since. #
living, he probably yet believes tat he
took the lite of Huntington.
The ss0Wsc and L9t Business.
At the close of the war, the friends
of General Geo. II. Thomas made up a
purse of 4 hunded thousand dollars to
buy him a house Learning what they
had done, he thanked them, but shranh
G,,,n I'll,