Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-07-13
IN THE DARK.

Inc pursuit., l. udQ U1dQE SlCn0
stairways, and at last 1 found myself
walking on a narrow ledge, scarcely wide
enough to afford a safe footing. With
my cane l reached over the ledge, but
not far, as 1 could touch nothing, and a
feeling of dread came over me lest I
should lose my balance. To my left was
the wall, which arched so low above as
TO compel me to stoop in walking. At
each step, the overhanging masonry
seemed to become lower and lower, as if
pressing me into the unfathoma BILE
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
Mapped their wings almost in my face,
and their harsh, squeaking notes gave a
fitting voice to the gloom.
/, The associations surrounding the I'M
canny place added TO the horror of my
situation. The building was in 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
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 proihgate 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
Hp the affair; but one day a rumor
reached his ears that Dolores often met
her lover in that i'll famed retreat. One
night he followed her, and, 70 his intense
grief, found that the rumor was true.
He awaited the meeting, and then rushed
ut Lopez with the fury of a tiger. The
next instant the father fell with a fatal
knife thrust in his heart. The shrie!1s of
the affrighted girl brought several officers
to the spot where the body ws.s found,
and the news of the dreadful tragedy
spread throughout the city. The funeral
took placeamid 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 l was convinced that Lopez had not
left his den. From what l could learn
of the girl was also certain that she
had not even yet entirely deserted her
lover.
Ny watch Of seven days and nights
was now rewarded by the reappearance
of the girl in the building, and, notwith-
standing my fears, L cautiously followed
the rIsthng sound of the dress in the
darkness before me. BY an occasional
glimmer it was evident that the girl had
a faint light to guide her steps. Fortu-
nately she moved slowly, and was en-
abled to follow closeI3 by carefully feel
ing my way with my cane and out
stretched hand. My feet were muf1ed,
but l was in constant dread lest my
movements should be heard. For some
Instance the wall TO my left was solid, but
at last perceived that 1t had numerous
harrow recesses, much deeper than
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 l was checked in my pursuit
by startling incident. The girl stopped,
.he glimmering light entirely disap-
peared, and heard a voice. low, but We
hement with rapturous delight.
; Dolores, my darling! l knew you
t.ould cometto me, that your love would
enow YOU that was not TO blame And
1t was not my fault, swear to you. He
sprang at me like wild beast, and, not
knowing what l did, l drew my knife in
self 6efense-aEd killed him. l acted on
the swift impulse of the moment, and
surely you cannot blame me-"
Il do not blame you, Manuel, the girl |
said, slowly and with infinite sadness in
her tones; but we must part forever. I |
came tonight to bid you "a last farewell"
"Ah, do not say that, Lolita" came |
the mans voice, in desperate pleading; |
r'see, | could not act otherwise. For /
YOUR sake, l would never have harmed /
him-yes, l could even have fought for |
him: but he came upon me like the wind, /
he gave me no time for thought knew |
bnlv 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 again? No; you had chosen 1
ne, and but served your love when /
preserved M life Think, dear one, you
were mine by fate's decree, and are you
the less mine that | have taken the only
course against man who would have
killed me-
1T cannot be, it cannot be, Manuel
noaned the girl, hopelessly; 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 10 8 Saat Why |
do YOU draw bsck from me? / know
every foot of the way here. and car find
nv way as easily in the dark as in the
Grht. Besides, would 1t be so great
harm if we should fall over this ledge
we, whose love is greater than love Of
life itself? Ii is many feet 10 the stone
floor Of the court below, and | have
heard it said that before falling half the
5iSra,,ca or,o,s f,raath is ra ken away and (