Evening journal., 1889-08-05
IN TIE DARK.

The darkness was intense. and it hada a
singularly depressing effect on me as /
CROPPED along, stealthily following the
rustling sound Of a woman's dress. In
the pursuit. had climbed many stone
stairways, and at last l. 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 could touch nothing, and a
feeling Of dread came over me lest
should lose my balance. To my left was
the wall, which arched so low above as
70 compel me to stoop in walking. At
each STEP the overhanging masonry
seemed to become lower and lower, as if
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
stiling 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 I'M
canny place added to the horror of my
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. It's labyrinthine interior was
safe refuge for a horde of murderous
narauders. Many a brave officer of the
aw. whihe searching for criminal, had
een stabbed 70 his death by hand sud
enly thrust from one Of the dark re-
,.sses
Only the week before a prominent and
.kc,cd citizen had been murdered
ihia these dead precincts. His beau
vi daughter. Dolores. had formed an
.achinei; suT !. handsome and dashing
oang pgOsiig",v ua.Aeu Manuel Lopez
.e was ,h, le;;der Of =. band Of freeboot
IS VIM mace their headquarters in the
Jiiding The fl;her tO.,s suine deter
ined steps and thought he he'd broken
~ the affair but one day q ramol
cached his ears that Dolores often met
ier lover in that III famed retreat. One
light he followed her and. TO his intense
grief, found that the rImor was true
lie awaited the meeting, and then rushed
at Lopez with the fury Of tiger. The
next instant the father fell with a 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 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 / 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.
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 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 closely by carefully feel
ing my way with my cane and out
stretched hand. MY feet were muffied,
but 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
could measure with my arm or cane.
This increased the horror of my situa-
tion, 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 a startling incident. The girl stopped
the glimmering light entirely disap
peared, and heard voice, low, but We
hement with rapturous delight.
DOLORES, my darlingl / 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. H,
sprang at me like wild beast, and, NO
knowing what did, drew my knife in
self defense-and killed him. acted OF
the swift impulse of the moment, anC
surely you cannot blame me"
Il do not blame you, Manuel, the gir
said, slowly and with infinite sadness il
her tones; ''but we must part forever.
came tonight to bid you a last farewell.
"Ah, do not say that, Lolita~ cam'
the mans voice. in desperate pleading
"see, could not act otherwise. Fo
your sake. would never have harme,
him-yes, could even have fought 70
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 beel
his child again? No; you had choseI
me, and but served your love when
preserved my life. Think, dear one, yol
were mine by fate's decree, and are yoI
the less mine that have taken the onl,
course against a man who would hav
killed me?"
"It cannot be, it cannot be, Manuel,
moaned the girl, hopelessly; my "a
TIERS blood is upon your hands and W
must part forever"
"Come, come. DOlores, be not to
hasty. You must take time to think
-. - l.....4 III