The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-05-29

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|. he had forfeited at the hands Of
every member of the robber band.
So he gave his consent.
The wooing of Marie by Don Car
los was speedy and happy, and
pressed by her uncle, the marriage
took place within a few weeks. The
girl had learned to love her husband
devotedly, even in this short time,
and he devoted himself to her with
a loving tenderness wonderful in a
man of his character.
The happy pair proceeded to the
home of De Mendana, at the foot of
the mountains, and lived most hap
PLY there for years. Three lovely
children were born to them, and
the devotion of the husband to the
wife never faltered; for her sake he
had given up all personal share in
the plunder of the band, living on
his home estate, and directing his
henchmen by messages or at inter-
views.
Marie often wondered at the wild
men who came, asking for Don
Rodrigo, parsonage of whom her
husband would tell nothing, but of
whose plans he always seemed to
be fully informed.
After several years, when the au-
thorities became active in hunting
the bandits, an action took place be-
tween the soldiers and the robbers.
So many of the latter We're made
prisoners and executed, that De
Mendana felt in honor bound to ex-
pose himself with the remainder.
So telling Marie that he was called
to aid Don Rodrigo, and might be
long absent, he tenderly bade fare
well to her and his children.
Marie for weeks heard nothing of
her husband. Her aunt come to
visit her, and when the old lady ask
ed where Don Carlos was, Marie in
nocently replied "He has gone to
assist, in some way, thatgeat friend
of his, the mysterious Don Rodrigo,
to whom he is so devoted" The
aunt stared. "Who did you say ?
Don Rodrigo? Why he is the most
bloodthirsty, famous robber in the
land. And do Carlos and his
friends associate with him ?"
This answer worried and sadly
perplexed Marie, but, loyal to her
love and duty, she said nothing.
But her axiety increased, and as
days wore on and no news came
from Carlos, she was stricken with
serious illness.
At last, one night under cover of
the darkness, man whom she had
never seen before, demanded to
speak to her, as he had a message
about Don Rodrigo for her.
He was a ferce-looking man by
nature, but his face was now ghast-
ly white as well. He was dusty
and weary with hard riding, and his
expression was anxious and sad.
Marie instinctively felt horror of
the man, and drew back as he ap-
preached her. He noticed it.
"You need not be afraid" he
said, with a weary smile "the
widow of Don Rodrigo, my best
friend, need fear nothing from me
Or my companions. Don Rodrigo
is dead, and they are bringing his
body home for burial
"But I do not know Don Rodri-
&C." stammered Marie.
sob, yes you do" interrupted the
man, "only too well, alas only too
well, and l am sorry for you"
Marie's heart beat fast and she
could not control her agitation. A
great dread filled her very soul with
foreboding, but she remained little |
time in suspense,
A melancholy procession wound |
into the courtyard of the palace
around rough bier were terrible
men with flaring torches, and on
the bier lay body covered with a
cloak. The deperate-looking men
laid their burden with tender care
in the great hall of the house and
withdrew to a respectful distance,
while Marie advanced to remove
the cloak to gaze for the only time
on the face of the mysterious Don
Rodrigo.
She knelt, lifted the covering
and fell with shrek upon the
body.
The hall echoed with her heart
rending cries and all rushed for
ward to assist and comfort the
beautiful, distracted widow.
In vain they tried to rouse her,
she was quiet now-and dead.
Don Carlos Mendana had kept
his word ; while he lived Marie de
Novarra never knew that she was the