Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1881-01-15


Die deed this night, il is my duty To ar,
rest voa and place you III irons.
What would you be guilty of a Iced
50 vile, Senor:" asked the Cuban. mdig-
nantlv.
My duty. sir, compels me. Senior,
Iut tins man III irons"
i defiant smile crossed the handsome
face @! Enrique Delmonte as the officer
approached and ironed his wrist: Lu,
he made no resistance, and was Id
away between decks and placed in Il
state-roon, n guard being stationed at
his door.
Throwing himself down upon a seat,
ic murmurcd:
"AA. Senor Verona, l know well vour
hatred toward me: il is because your
Daughter WAS my promised wife, AMI
Won would rather have me lie than Sc.
her one day marry Cuban who was the
enemy of Spain"
The door softly opened. and, looking
mp. bv the dim light from the warl-room
lamp Enrique Delmonte saw slender
form before him-a maiden with face
Of exquisite beauty.
Enrique ~
"Consuelo.'
L. WAS all they said. and. .pringine
forward, She threw her arms around his
ucrk
'Oh, Enrique, / know all. and how
rEu"l has been my father" she said
after a while.
He says he does his dnty, Con
suelo.
Bah he ranier, I, his hate. I
knew Won, Enrique. when | SAW yJu
com" on board. but | held myself aloot
aud | heard all that passed. Once. four
years ago. when I was girl Of Il. Won
sprung into the sea and saved my lit.
when Il wave carried me from the deck,
aI,l Tonight ven have saved it again
80, ana tia lives Of 200 men, your enc
:4ie,. Now shall save yours
"Cousuelo. what mean you :" asked
the Cuban. in surprise.
II Erauihat. though Your duty called
YOU - war against SPAN, never sev-
cred ouf engagement, and, loving you
s;i.j. EurqTe. | viii not see you die.
.or already you are condemned, aud tie
narrote viii end your lite. No, I have
arranged my plan. Come
blt think Of yoUr fathers anger
when Ee di~ovrrs-'
What Is his anger To vour life
Herr, throw This cNal around you ant.
pIt on this officers cap" and she picked
up bundle size had dropped, while,
with a kev she held in her hand. she
quickly unlocked tine irons that bound
hin.
He did rs she told him. and then
drew her to his heart. saving feelingly :
"COnsuelo, Will You be true TO me
until peace shall reign between your
land and miue?"
Forever. Enrique , / can live only
with you. But cone, j sent the guard
off on message and he VIII soon re-
turn"
She led him from the state-room, up
the companion way and 10 the deck.
The wind still howled mournfullv
through the trees and the roar Of the
sea WAS terrific tn hear, but the steamer
WAS calmly resting upon the waters
moored to a large rock, and with hcavy'
branches overhanging the decks.
Against the poop-deck an officer
shrrlnk from the blast. and forward was
the watch on duty; but no one noticed
the tall form of the Cuban, as with q
nod of farewell he sprung over the side
of the ship upon the foliage-clad rocks,
ART disappeared from view-his life
saved by the woman he loved, and who
iduliZed him.
Waiting until her lover had time to
reach the forest, Consuelo Verona en-
tered the cabin where her father sat
writing letters. and, looking up, he said:
"Why, daughter, 1 thought you had
retired?"
"No, father. I remained up TO prevent
your bringing stain upon your pTo'.u
name" she answered calmly.
"What mean you, child -
"Simply, that had Enrique Delmonte
died at your hands, after his noble
conduct tonight in saving his foes, il
would have been foul blot upon youl
| honor"
"Bnt he is condemned to die, and
"And | set him free.
The Spaniard sprang to his feet in {
rige, kissing forth !:
Girl, how dare You brave me IL TIN:
way? Ho, On deck, there J"
Hold. father, he has escaped, fo
this is his own land near by, and h,
knows If well and, more, 1 alone an t.
; blame, for the guard over him orlere,
away, and, as L often carry orders 70
, YOU, he obeyed. In the place of En-
.ique Delmonte, father, make me YOU
. prisoner.