The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-12-13

even If i would, and the thought OF |
yielding her to another drives me almost |
to distraction"
Is she so very inordinate in her de-
mands?
"Aye, she is as extravagant as
Cleopatra."
"Well, I can not see wherein you are
less sensible than Marc Antony, for
Cleopatra was already dipping her
fingers lii the rough box of forty when
she capuvated the sturdy Roman"
laughed Don Alamada.
"The more I lavish on her the more
her cupidity desires" continued Salano,
"and this is the way she attacks me. In
n shop on the Gale de Los Santos is
diamond set ring of much value which
she covets for a New Years gift, and l
have not the means at present to pur-
chase, since my father constantly up
braids me with my extravaganza. She
writes me to-day that certain
wealthy merchant has rendered the ring,
and wishes to be informed by me whether
or not she will accept the gift. The gist
of the matter is this: must give her
the ring or she will accept the merchants
| bribe."
al see," responded Don Alamada,
"your indmOrata is like nothing so
much as hungry mosquito. Having
once tasted your blood she will buzz
around you until she has drank her fill.
OF course you will purchase the ring"
he continued, in a tone between COM
miseration and a sneer.
"She must have the ring at any cost, "
replied young oalano, desperately, " and
l have scarcely a pistole in my posses
sion. She has ruined me; still | cannot
nay, | will not-giver her up"
Yes, yes, amigo mio, give her the
ring by all means, but where will you
procure the dinero (mOney) to pay for it?
! The sum of twenty thousand Valencian
reals cannot be found under every citron
tree" said Alamada.
"Harkee, friend" uttered Salano in a
low tone, 1" have a scheme by which ]
hope to realize enough to buy the bauble
for my mistress, as we'll as rid myself
from the rascally Israelities whose debtor
am. Ere times you and | have been
necessitated to resort to shifts of CUES
tionable honesty when our affairs have
been desperate, and trust you will not
fail me now"
Don Alamada laughed, for it seemed
ridiculous to hear his effeminate com
panion talk so bravely, but without
needing him Salano continued:
"Meet me flush at eleven o'clock to-
night in the Plaza de Barca, and / viii
then disclose my scheme more fully
Come to the rendezvous we'll armed
however, and provide yourself with ;
domino"
! After a few moments further conver
, sation on commonplace topics, the TIVE
friends arose and left the cast d
! pubLico.
: Some adventure of a desperate char
acter was undoubtedly on foot. Wha
: crimes may not desperate man com
, nit when fully resolved ON deeds o
\ violence? Aye, and what deeds o
\ darkness may not lovely woman commi
a when urged by greed, jealousy, or re
/ venge?
e 1t was night, and eleven o'clock wa
: pealing from the ponderous bell of tn
q Cathedral del Espirito Santo, whic
Y stands fast by the Plaza de Barca, name
according to local tradition afte
0 Amilicar Barca, the father of the Roma
s General Hannibal, by whom Barcelon
It was refounded. The city was ancientl
e called Barcico. The waves of vibrar
d sounds had not ceased Ginning over tn
e silent city when Salano and Don Al;
a mada met at their tryst in the now d'
( serted plaza. The figure of each W;
h muff1ed in cloak, and each wore
is broad-brimmed sombrero we'll draw
< over the face, and they moved as nois
,e less as shadows, and when either spoil
n it was in tones so low and guarded as
r. be almost indistinct.
% Salano was talking to Don Alamat
is in whisper, and from an occasional il
ar patient gesture, it appeared as thoug
N he did not fully indorse Salano's pr
to gramme. Finally they glided nois
IN Iessly away into the darkness and gloo
n of the city.
u Salano led his companion through Il
narrow and sinuous streets forming Il
o. old or northwest division, cautious
a. cropping in the shadows and picking /
ne way through the often ill-paved allie
no and courts, until he reached house
ur considerable dimensions, and of t
We Cinque-Cento style of architecture. I'll
ne edificc was the residence of one of t
Ia. wealthiest bankers in the city.
,e- Salano seemed perfectly familiar wi
the neighborhood, for he halted before
OF small postern in the wall, and drawing
at key from his pocket he opened it, a
20, the twain entered.
lite "You see, Alamada," uttered Sala
La in whisper, "that l am master of
me situation. The bankers daughter ha
ne maid in her employ named Faca, ant
have been under the necessity of maxi
to love to the girl for some time past
la order to get at her masters tesoro, q
'ad as Faca is far from being old or ill-lo
us ing, it has proven anything but {
1as agreeble task"
ler "Where is your dulcinea new?"
r. quired Don Alamada, with suppress
on laugh.
am ooh, she is waiting for me in
are summer-house in the garden, with
en- doubt. have an engagement with
-. at one o'clock, and long before t
is hour 1 hope to have EN- ptied her n
,.t; De ter's strong box, and appropriated
lth contents Of her mistress's Jewel caske-
yer, returned Salano. al know the he
Oh WE'LL" he continued, "having inspec
ave it thoroughly in company with F,
mat during the absence of the family.
7ise, we are LOSING time Lot us don
my dominoes and nroceed to hus;nessH y
The two high-born burglars then
'out locked the postern behind them,
es- entered the house through side {
light which they found opened to rec
'e OF them.
yer, Remain here, Alamada, and give
laed timely warning should anything o.
rVa- to cause you alarm, and do not hesi
to use your poniard should occasion
/. re- quire."
La With this injunction, Salano left
gut companion, and by narrow stairwa
,Do our ascended to the upper portion of
wer' house. The staircase led him to
yeIs, ridor which he pursued until he can
Cne a door which was but partially clt
u OF He knew the room well; it was
chamber of the bankers daugl
leful Salano peered into the apartment
tant, tiously, and perceiving that its fai
'arty cupant was buried in slumber, he
tered silently. 1t was an elegant cl
can her and fitted I'm in rich oDd I.