The Portland daily press., 1874-05-20
CHAPTER III.

les, 1aceS uncovered, never Wrapping 1ucA III
shrouds, placing them uncofined IN the
ground was it introduced into the country
of the Montezumas by emperors, or was it
only an Atzec tradition? Satisfactory docu-
ments are wanting to give light upon this
point of archaeology, and had often prom
ised myself to search it out. But life is short.
1t scarcely suffices to those who wish to
study-to discover only a few truths. 1t is
true that the bodies of the Indian chiefs
were exposed publicly before being burned,
nevertheless it would be rash to conclude
anything from the standpoint of modern Gus
toms.
Eyornia had sent away the women from her
chamber, but she had not been able to him
der them from arranging the body OF her hus-
pand for last view. Don Felipe lay upon
bed strewn with flowers, his face turned to
the window, holding between his fingers
chaplet OF beads. He was crowned With
marigolds, and at his head six enormous can
dies were burning A blind old priest with
PRAYER book recited in slow, heavy, monoto-
nous tone some prayers that he was pretend
ing to read.
At midnight, without any ecclesiastical as
sistance, the body of the young man would
be carried withouunoise to the parish church,
to be placed nnder the stones of chapel
founded by one of his ancestors.
Alone, her face hid in her hands, EvOrnia
was kneeling near her bed when entered
her chamber. On hearing the door open she
turned and glanced at me with an irritared
look. Her babe lay at her feet upon pillow
crying bitterly.
.'You must be reasonable, listen to me,
obey me-" said to the young woman, assist
ing her to rise up; 'you are a mother, Evor-
nia and you seem to forget it,"
as'sI have no milk" she said, placing her
hands upon her breast.
She walked back and forth, and approach
ing the window. looked out. l drew her
away, fearing that she would see the judge
pass by with his escort.
''You must have courage, my child. They
will come soon TO perform the last rites
Promise me to be calm."
"Have l cried? Have 1 cried since yester-
day? 1 know nothing; l see nothing, hear
nothing, doctor. Will they carry him away
soon?"
''The ceremony will not be silent one,
perhaps; the alcade, the judge must bring
here man suspected of the MURDER
"a man p cried the widow, ga man! Who
is he ?' she asked anxiously.''
"Valentine Solar"
'sOne Of the lovers of this woman that you
call La Grecque?'
Evornia pronounced this name in man.
ner so strange, with an expression of dis
.dain, and anger so marked, that regarded
her with surprise.
You think always that am six years old,
my dear friend. Do you think that alone
am ignorant that Felipe loved this woman,
and that he was there yesterday ?''
Evornia knew the truth. / had now an eX-
PLANTATION of her vexed irritable manner, of
the sombre thoughts which troubled her.
Wrath and jealousy bit with their sharp teeth
this warm generous loving heart, which strug
ged against the grief of an irreparable loss,
and thought to conquer it. But the hour of
reaction must come sooner or later, and
was afraid of the fearful crisis which must
bring inevitably so many tears, and heart
aches.
1 Icompelled her to sit down, and placed he +
child in her arms. knelt down by the pool
martyr, filled with a profound pity for this
uun1orfecu WHICH Drcahi is, II sdr
of this poor child, who had grown up at my
side, and whom loved as my own child. /
was troubled, and knew noJ wnaU TO say-my
eyes were full of tears and l repeated some
childish words, soft, tender caressing.
wonld have been glad to have taken Evornia
in my arms, to rock her, as, when she was
child she slept on my breast. to the refrain of
an old French song that she loved.
Nevertheless, she listened to me; little by
little her features relaxed, and lost their rig
idity, She seized my hand, kissed it and EN-
braced her son. She sighed, a tear sparkled
in her eyes. Yes moment and she would
cry-escape from fever and madness. But
rising abruptly with frightened air. she cri-
ed.
sLeave me. You break ME, you make me
Desperate"
s'Cry," said to her.
AT this moment, stealthily making signs,
desired my presence.
must obey him. I kissed Evornia, say
ing that would soon return, requesting her
again not to be disturbed if she should hear
any noise. l censured severely the conduct
of those who had sown in her heart the seeds
OF this Jealousy, entreatng her to think that
her husband, guilty of thoughtessness, had
never for moment ceased to love her. She
listened, bowed her head, and watched me as
went out, without answering single word.
My anxiety was a little relieved. 1t was
only ordinary grief and as soon as the nine
days required by the Mexican customs had
passed, thought to send Evornia to Puebla
or Cordova. Change of place is remedy for
grief of the soul; then the love maternal, this
flame which burns in the heart of mothers,
would little by little conquer the despair of
the young widow but now, how to act, what
sentiment must invoke? l must appeal to
the christian virtues, to resignation or to for
getfulness, two impossibilities.
kept my own secret, and obeyed the in
structions of the judge who begged me not to
be disturbed. took my place near the blind
priest, in front of the door by which they
would introduce La Grecque. The judge ex-
pected tears, cries, fainting fit, and conse-
quently had taken all necessary precautions.
More than twenty wax tapers were burn
ing around the dead, so the chambers despite
Its vast dimensions was sufficiently lighted in
every part, Upon a motion of the Judge
they brought in VaIentn. At the moment
OF entering, the young man stopped, dazzled,
uncovered his head, made the sign of the
cross, then with firm assured
step, he approached the body, which he
sprinkled with holy water. -
"Valentin Solar" said the judge TO him,
f'do you know this man?'
Valentin smiled disdanfulIy with an irrey-
Grant shrug.
9He has coolnes,s'' murmured the judge in
my ear.
ssHe is innocent" 1 answered.
walt doctor. You are in 10 great hurry
to decide"
The blind man having recommended his
prayers they commanded him to be silent.
and Valentin was sharply reprlmanded for
the want OF respect he owed to the law. The
Judge gave the order to bring in Hermenigllda
Ybanes-La Grecque
Like Vaientin, the young woman was for
moment confused. She drew back, uttered
low cry at the sight of the body; but soon
advanced with quick step, aid knelt at the
AOOo vi SODDlD0
Rise" said the Judge imperiously, "and
tell me If you recognize the body here present.
"It is that of Don Felipe Aceval, God pro-
tect his SOUL" said the young woman.
.f You know how he died?'
KNOW" she replied, ''that would will
ihgly slyge give my life To purchase his.''
.sMI .sMMnat have you to reveal to us?"
.No.1Hing. Alasp'
.Mhom .e do you suspect?'
mo person.
one drew near Valentin, who was watch
ing heP with compassion and leaned upon the
ar IN OF the young man.
Inc conirontation seemed finished. was
on the point OF returning to Evornia when
an Alguazll introduced man who. contilsed
at first, saluted the dead man, the blind nriest
and the officer. f-''''
He was a peddler, a stranger in the civ
who for week had sold his wares. at the en-. e3.
trance of the bridge. The judge carried tbe
crucifix to him.
"Upon the image of God, dead for Won
swear to the TRUTH" he said.
Placing his hat ornamented with silver on
the ground the pedlar repeated the oath as
they requested.
Now look around you, continued the
Judge and tell us, listening only to the voice
OF your conscience, if you recognise here the