The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1889-08-24
In THE DARK.

bHo pursuit., uau CumDeu many stone
stairways, and at last 1 found. myself
walking on narrow ledge, scarcely wide
enough to afford a safe footing. With
my cane / reached over the ledge, but
not far, as could touch nothing, and a
feeling of dread came over me lest ]
should lose my balance. To my left was
the wall, which arched 30 low above as
to compel me to stoop in walking. AT
each step, the overhanging masonry
seemed to become lower and lower, as il
pressing me into the unfathomable
abyss. The darkness momentarily grew
more and more dense, oppressive, pal.
pable--it forced itself on all the senses
at once. There was a damp, musty
smell in the air, and the dust which had
been undisturbed for years arose in a
sitting cloud. Numerous bats often
tapped their wings almost in my face,
and their harsh, squeaking notes gave a
fitting voice to the gloom.
The associations surrounding the un-
canny place added to the horror of nv
situation. The building was in a de-
serted quarter of the City of Mexico. The
massive pile had for many years been
abandoned by all reputable persons and
pursuits. Its labyrinthine interior was a
safe refuge for a horde of murderous
marauders. Many brave officer of the
law, while searching for criminal, had
been stabbed to his death by hand sud-
denly thrust from one Of the dark re-
cesses.
Only the week before prominent and
respected citizen had been murdered
within these dread precincts. His beau
tiful daughter, Dolores, had formed an
attachment for handsome and dashing
young profigate named Manuel Lopez.
He was the leader of band of freeboot-
ers who made their headquarters in the
building. The father took some deter
mined steps and thought he had broken
up the affair; but one day a rumor
reached his ears that Dolores often met
her lover in that Ill famed retreat. One
night he followed her, and, to his intense
grief, found that the rumor was true.
He awaited the meeting, and then rushed
at Lopez with the fury of tiger. The
next instant the father fell with fatal
knife thrust in his heart. The shrieks of
the affrighted girl brought several officers
to the spot where the body was found,
and the news of the dreadful tragedy
spread throughout the city. The funeral
took place eamid general lamentation, and
a large reward was offered for the appre-
hension Of the murderer.
A number of mounted officers secured
the neighboring country; but from the
first was convinced that Lopez had not
left his den. From what could learn
of the girl was also certain that she
had not even yet entirely deserted her
lover.
My watch of seven days and nights
was now rewarded by the temperance
of the girl in the building, and, notwith-
standing my fears, cautiously followed
the rustling sound of the dress in the
darkness before me. By an occasional
glimmer 1t was evident that the girl had
faint light to guide her steps. Fortu-
nately she moved slowly, and 1 was en-
abled to follow closely by carefully feel
ing my way with my cane and out
stretched hand My feet were muffled,
but l was in constant dread lest my
movements should be heard. For some
distance the wall to my left was solid, but
at last perceived that it had numerous
narrow recesses, much deeper than l
could measure with my arm or cane.
This increased the horror of my situa-
ton, for at each opening half expected
the murderous Spaniard to rush out and
hurl me into unknown depths below.
Suddenly / was checked in my pursuit
by startling incident. The girl stopped,
the glimmering light entirely disap-
peared, and l heard a voice, low, but We
hement with rapturous delight.
Dolores, my darlingl l knew you
would come,,to me, that your love would
show you that was not to blame. And
it was not my fault, swear to you. He
sprang at me like wild beast, and, not
knowing what did, drew my knife in
self defense-and killed him. l acted on
the swift impulse of the moment, and
surely you cannot blame me-"
81 do not blame you, Manuel, the girl
said, slowly and with infinite sadness in
her tones; "but we must part forever.
came tonight to bid you last farewell. "
"Ah, do not say that, Lolitap came
the mans voice, in desperate pleading;
"see, could not act otherwise. For
your sake, would never have harmed
him-yes, could even have fought for
him; but he came upon me like the wind,
he gave me no time for thought knew
only that one of us must die. Consider,
how would it have been had he lived
had he killed me? Could you have been
his child againl No; you had chosen
me, and but served your love when l
preserved my life. Think, dear one, you
were mine by fate's decree, and are you
the less mine that have taken the only
course against a man who would have
killed mel"
sit cannot be, it cannot be, Manuel,
moaned the girl, hopelesslyi "my ia
theirs blood is upon your hands and we
must part forever"
"Come, come, Dolores, be not too
hasty. You must take time to think.
Come, let me lead You TO II seat. Why
do you draw back from me? know
every foot of the way here, and can find
my way as easily in the dark as in the
light. Besides, would it be SO great a
Larm ii we should fall over this ledge
We, whose love is greater than love OF
life itself9 1t is many feet TO the stone
hoor of the court below, and / have
heard it said that before falling half the
distance ones breath is taken away and
death comes as peacefully as sleep 70 @
babe. Come, Lolita, Gomez
There was a sound as if the girl were
being half led, half dragged over tho
stones. She uttered an enteating moan
! which fbriIlad ma fhrouOh and tl,rouorl