Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-04-02

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said prayer, the eyes of the young Span
lard cleaned with fire.
/ ''Perro del diabloi" he said. crashing hi
teeth: ''what dost thou, want?''
| Hans kept silence. He felt for the van
pushed foe. who, after all, had done hi.
soldiers duty. At last he said in an al
most beseeching tone: 'sWhere is Isabel?'
| Don Jose looked long at him. There
was a conflict in his bosom-a conflict not
as bloody but as severe as the one in which
! he got his death wound.
Hans repeated in more beseechine
manner: Gas a caballero, | ask thee, where
is Isabel2'
Don Jose was silent His eyes remained
staring at Hans Viering. Then they closed
as in sleep; his outstretched hand fell on
his breast. The physicians approached.
felt the pulse, stood a moment thoughtful,
then, turning to the bystanders, DR.. Relms-
ma said: Keep very quiet, he will wake.
again, but then keep quiet. His young
life struggles hard against the end, which
is sure to come. You had better have
! Father Antoine in readiness
| The sunbeams began to shine through
the narrow windows, and cast glimmer
on the handsome face of Don Jose. The
eyes opened; the dying man heaved sigh,
as one who wakes out Of dream. "C0-
6allero," he said, aud the words came out
softly as in Whisper caballero am, al
ways was; is it not So, Isabel?'' He looked
around as in search Of some one. His eyes
i met Hans Viering, standing lmmovable,
with waiting look. ''Call her,'' he said.
"Where-where?" asked Hans, with
nervous excitement, grasping his hand.
81 pray thee, coballero, where?"
| Don Jose did not withdraw his hand,
but said: Hast seen the father?;'
IL have" answered Hans. ''But where
! is Isabel?'
'Ah! yes" family whispered Don Jose,
| 1.-The promise-the promised"
| There was few moments silence in the
room. Father Antoine came in and knelt
down near the dying man, bending so as to
hear his slightest whisper. Few were the
words he caught, but all at once he rost
and went out of the room. The bystanders
were amazed. The physicians smiled faint
lily. mot yet-not yet," he said, and
turned his weary-looking face toward the
entrance.
Thus he remained for almost quarter
of an hour, always looking, sometimes
smiling, now and then casting glance at
Viering, who seemed to feel that some
thing was coming to solve the riddle. At
last the door opened and Father Antoine
entered, leading by the hand woman
whose features were hidden by white
veil. she wore the dress of y novice iE the
convent of st. Ann. They stood before
the bed of death. The priest lifted the
veil, and Hans exclaimed, almost Shrek
ing: Isabel! Isabelle
Yes, there she stood-the noble maiden
slightly trembling, but with eyes full OF
pity meeting the gaze OF Don Jose. at the
sight of her he seemed to revive to take
in breath Of life, when beholding her he
truly loved.
"Donna Isabel" said Father Antoine,
"repeat the promise which you were made
to swear to save thy fathers life.''
There was a pause. The maiden at last
said with trembling voice: That should
not leave the convent. nor make known
my retreat, as long as my father lived.''
''Dost thou, Jon Jose, relieve her of this
promise?"
81 do,' he said, s'and beg thy prayers
that 1 may be forgiven this abuse of my
authority After pause he added: ''In-
deed, love thee, and wish to keep thee
safe, and did all could to stay thy fathers
execution. AS a caballero, have loved
thee; as a cabullero, give thee to him who
deserves thee. May kiss thy hand once
more, Donna Isabel?" he added with
faint smile.
Isabel gave him her hand, and pressed
parting kiss on the dying soldiers fore
head. 1t was parting kiss, indeed, for
Don Jose Espinal was gone-dead. ca
bttlero.