The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1890-01-24

s'You will dance the next dance with
me, said Don Geronimo, with newly re-
curing vexation at the sight of Ramon
de Rochela approaching.
Anita shook her head. Il am en-
gagged, she said.
1.-THE next after, then"
Engaged for that also"
"Como2 But the nextln Don Geroni-
mo was red with suppressed anger.
Anita heaved a little sigh.
II have hardly dance left, !" she said,
and then arose and took young Ramon's
arm for promenade.
Don Geronimo sank down on seat.
The champagne, the cognac and the sight
of Ramon de Rochela combined had COM
pletely upset him. His brain was whirl-
ing with rage and jealousy. DOna Marta,
who was seated near, spoke to him; he
barely answered her. He started up and
walked away The good lady looked
after him in surprise.
oWhat ails him2" she asked.
Don Geronimo waited until Anita was
dancing with some one else. Then he
sought out Ramon de Roehela and shook
his fist in his face.
"Come out on the mountain side, he
said; "come out and fight with me.
You shall learn what it is to injure me-"
ooh, 90 away" said Ramon, ocular
". "You are crazy"
''No, 1 sfa not crazy. You shall fight
Do Won hear me2 You shall fight me. /
will kill you"
"weli, all right. III fight with you
and you may kill me, " said Ramon, with
a laugh; ..but not now. I'm engaged
to dance with la Senorita zepeda. Some
other time
'To-morrow-"
at is tomorrow now"
''Bueno; at dawn on leaving the ball.
"Bueno, agreed Ramon and returned
to the ball room without thinking any
more OF it.
Don Geronimo, on the other hand, re-
manned in the room where refreshments
were offered. It is quite probable that
he continued to console himself with an
occasional draught of champagne, for as
the small hours Of the morning sped and
the dancers thinned down to the last few
walters and he remembered his engage
ment with his rival out on the lonely
mountain side above the town, he found
his fierce anger dwindhng to sort of
sorrowfuI regret. He left the palace and
went forth into the calm morning.
at is very sad that have to kill that
young man, he murmered gloomily 20
himself, quite forgetting that he had no
weapon. 1T is very sad. feel it very
much.
He climbed the steep road slowly and
passed into a little woody space. No one
else was there as yet, so he sat down to
wait and TO rest little for his legs felt
weary after climbing the road-sat down
on a fallen log and rested his back against
a stump. Dawn had not yet come. He
waited and rested.
Presently hearing footsteps, he turned
to see if his rival was there. But the
figure that advanced in the dim light was
not that of Ramon de Rochela. Itwas the
figure of a woman. As she came nearer
a curious haze was apparent about her.
And suddealy he saw her face and recog-
nized it.
"Santa Marial" he murmered in con-
fusion and alarm. SIS it thou, Luisaf"
eyes. " came the answer, slowly and
solemnly pronounced. sit is I. "
..But-bus thou art dead, Luisa-
dead these ten years and more. Why art
Ai.e..- L-.-azii
"Of WHAT" -,
"Of that which thou wouldst do-the
sin thou wouldst commit Tell me, Ger
onimo de Lozano, was not thy wifei"
"Truly thou vert"
''Was not good wifeln
Indeed, most good"
Thou rememberest when I diedl
Didst thou not weep and sigh and moan
aloud, aye, ayel day and nightl Didst
thou not call thy loss irreparablel Were
there not many who sought to console
theegn
Eyes, to be sure" he murmured
family But he couldn't help thinking
it would be awkward if Ramon de
Rochela should arrive just then. It
would be rather embarrassing to fight for
a prospective second wife in the pres
ence of the deceased first.
'Dost thou not remember, " resumed
the lady, 'what eulogies were written,
what high praises sung of me2 Was 1
not faithful, affectionate, accomplished,
everything goodl Vert
thou not desolate-heart-br okenl"
Don Geronimo groaned. Eyes, of
course"
"And now, thou-what wouldst thou,
MANI To take another to thy heart-to
thy home-to rule in my placer Thou
shalt not-thou canst not. 1 will haunt
theel Nearest thou me? will haunt
thee day and night Thou foolish Ger
onimoi Thou wouldst not dare to pass
the campo santo, where thou hast buried
one wife, with another. Thou wouldst
not dare to ride past to the old incal
Thou marry with a girl of seventeen
Neverl Thou art not such a fool2 But
Il thou dost, bewarel"
Dona Tulsa came close and shook her
hands at him and tossed her
navy head in a way to make his blood
,un cold.
'Dost thou heart" she cried, "dost
.hou understand"
Isl, 81, said Geronimo quickly and |
to tremble little, ~ under
.sand." He was ready to promise any
hing.
sit is web" said Dona Luisa; ''see
hat thou rememberest. For if thou seek
st another wife haunt thee"
81 will not seek one, said Geronimo, |
aintly. He shivered as he spoke, and
II at once the figure vanished.
As it vanished the full daylight broke.
{ was bright morning around him. lie
ubbed his eyes and looked around. He
rose stiffiy and walked toward the road.
Ie saw a few yards OFF one of his own
ervants coming. The boy brought him
letter.
"Don Ramon sent it, " said the boy.
He said he thought I would fnd you
lere."
Don Geronimo tore it open and read;
"Sorry I forgot my engagement to be
Tiled this morning. Perhaps another
ime will suit as well"
There is no answer" he said, and