Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-11-09
The Starv Teller.
A STRANGE RELEASE.

A STRANGE RELEASE.
In 1880 Charles Page was in old Mexico, en-
gagged in herding cattle. Not from the love OF
wild life, but because he could earn hard dol
lars, and later on, because his heart had gone
out to Zareta Hernandez, the daughter OF old
Hernandez on the MeXos.
That he loved the girl was no wonder, for
she was noted beauty, even among the many
beautiful Spanish women who lived IN That
section, but that he, poor Charlie Page, the
American, should have won Laretas love IN
return. when a score of the richest rancheros,
both Mexican and Spanish, were literally at
her feet, might have been thought strange.
Such, however, was the condition OF AFFAIRS,
and despite the objections Of her family, and
the positive interference of some other lovers,
the eirl had become solemnly engaged to Char
lie. and promised to marry him in the fall.
And those who knew her best were satisfied
that at this point opposition must cease, for II
Page lived Zareta would be his bride at the
time agreed, or in her grave. >.
The match was consequently considered IN
the best light possible by Zareta's family, and
Charlie allowed the freedom Of future SON.
in-law. AS the old man put it:
''Ze boy is no re Spaniard, and not as 1
CuOUSS UuG, S-t.hCa MOI iH ~ o'AA ~ ~ '-f>-
lard, and she choose!'
That told the whole story. Zareta was Il
Spanish maid, and would do as she would DO,
let those oppose who might dare.
The Rubicon once passed, matters moved on
more smoothly, and nothing seemed to fret the
course of true love except-there is always an
except-the impacability and ugliness OF one
of the girls discarded lovers, who would not
consent to be cast aside after the manner OF
men, but ragged and threatened, daily growing
worse.
This man was Dion Combra, a half-breed,
but a man of wealth-a person OF rulnous
and ungovernabe temper, who swore the match
should not 60 on.
Page occasionally met this scowler, but no
words had passed between them, until one even
ing late in August, when he surprised his per-
sistent rival delivering passionate lecture to
the mother of Zareta, quiet little woman
who could only tremble before the profane rage
of the half-breed.
Instantly conceiving the cause of the scene.
Charlie sprang forward, and thrusting himself
before the other, cried:
"Draw back, you hound ! Why DO you
frighten woman ? am here to answer 1or
Zareta Hernandez, and her mother IS my
mother. Another insulting word and LII fling
you into the river yonder %
For an instant the half-crazed Combra stood
speechless then shrieking out an oath ne tore
knife from his bosom, and flung himself upon
the American, only to be met with a sudden
blow, that hurled him senseless to the ground,
while Page took the little mother of his sweet
heart quickly from the scene.
Impressing Madam Hernandez with the he
cessity of secrecy with regard to this unpleas-
ant transaction, the young lover himself 1or-
got it for the next three hours, within the
obaltor nf tuyo warm arms ard gazing
into LIQUID eyes that were filled with yielding
love {; but the matter was suddenly brought to
mind again as he rode homeward through the
misty moonlight, by the whiz of knife hurled
from chaparrai by the roadside, and the sight
of dim figure leaping down the river bank
toward waiting boat.
With sudden touch of the spur the young
man followed, but too late. The light skl1f
fed from the shore like shadow.
ssThat coward ~ muttered Charlie. as he
drew rein at the water's edge, 'he would nave
killed me again in good old Spanish style.a
knife in the dark. l must look out TOR tlls
bravo. That cursed blade came closeH'
From that time on the American found it
necessary to guard himself constantly, for the
jealousy and hatred of the half-breed, now
thoroughly aroused, was terrible and his at
tempts on the life of the other were so fire.
Quent that Page became at last convinced
that the world was not wide enough for his
enemy and himself, and he determined to go
armed at all moments, and to preserve his
own safety, even at the expense OF the LIE or
Combra.
A bond to keep the peace would have been
as waste paper to the infuriated ranchero, and
Page knew it, His only safety lay in eternal
vigilance.
The DAYS were drawing toward fall, and the
coming of her wedding festivities now tlled
the heart of Zareta but in the midst OF 1t all
she saw and felt the some tithe of the danger
that threatened her lover, and it made her
warm blood run cold.
Once she spoke to the young American of
it, but he scoffed, and as much as SHE loved
him the girl could not endure that, so she de-
termined to say nothing, but to watch.
Even though Charlie denied the danger. she
felt assured of it. The fierce rush Of passion
in her own heart taught it better than could
her lover what Combra must feel.
'sHe'll kill my darling, if he can ~ Zareta
whispered to herself. II must guard him -
Unknown to Page, the girl planned and con-
trived to protect him. At times trusted ser
wants Of her own followed him to and fro and
frightened away any roadside lurkers at other
times, by various excuses, the maid met her
lover in unexpected paths, and prevented his
appearance near her own home ; and yet again
the blood-thirsty Combra away from the Mex
os valley for days at a time.
Still the danger continued, and both the
American and his sweetheart knew it. The
disappearance of the half-breed put off the day
of final reckoning, and Page never rode with
out his pistols.
Notwithstanding all these fears and trout
bles, the lovers were much together, and the
wedding day drew on apace. And even as 1t
approached the dread of the murderous Com
bra increased.
Overcome by love and fear, Zareta had beg
ged her promised husband not to ride after
dark, and he had given his word. For this
reason his visits to the house Of old Herman
dez were now made in the afternoon, and as
the sun touched the crownS'of the far-a-way
mountains he each day bade his Spanish sweet
heart goodbye, and rode three miles across
the country to his own home, where ne re-
mained out of sight until morning.
Man-like the young American chafed at
being thus separated from the queen OF his
heart. and locked within adobe walls from
sundown to SUNRISE but with clinging caress-
es and fearful eyes poor Zareta begged that 1t
should be 50.
''Only until our marriage, my beloved
When we are one, irrevocably, then this wolf
will leave us. Then once more you will be
free"
''Pehaps," replied Page. "But suppose the
prosecution continues"'
'sThen," said the girl, with the dark blood
flaming in her cheek-''then, when l am your
wife, you may kill him -
Its acreed,'' said Charlie. 81 will say no
more of this Combra until after our wedding,
but if he then continues to trouble you and