The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-18
FATE OF A COQUETT E.
From the French, by Philip N. Garney.

A&At WHICH WAS 5uTTUuuueu ny d ulSu
wall. On the top Of the wall, fixed on large
iron spikes, were hundreds of human heads,
In every case the features presented hor-
rible, nay, sickening appearance. There,
exposed to public gaze. were the heads of
gray-beards, youths, young women, old
grandmothers, yea, even infants, who had
scarcely time to draw their second breath.
Beauty was disfgured by the effects of pain;
mildness was changed to hate through the
crucial influence of the rack. Turning from
the outward scene, the appearance Of the
room was more terrible though less nauseat-
ing. At enc end stood kind Of throne,
upon which was seated a hideous-looking
individual, before whom many steel-clad
soldiers cIouched in AFFECT horror. In his
right hand this demoniac ruler held long,
thin sword, which was saturated with blood.
Suddenly he called to one of mis- officers and
said:
"Bastino, now will hear of the strange
prisoners whom you and your men captured
this morning."
Bastino, after saluting his master. an
swered:
"Oh, most worthy King, will tell you in
as few words as possible of our capture this
morning"
"'Tis we'll; for Yesterdays bloody work
has somewhat tired my arms and l would
like TO seek my couch again." and the King
motioned to him 10 begin his tale. Stepping
to the front Bastino spoke as follows:
"While walking on the beach this morning
we espied foreign vessel drifting quite
close 10 shore. Her masts were gone and
the sailors had no power to keep her of the
rocks, toward which she was slowly NOV
ing. Quick as thought she struck, and The
people who tbronged upon her deck were
r.. ,&,t,a lt,ar, IN, he
Many were drowned but some got safely
ashore. We seized them as they landed,
and now. o powerful ruler. they are safely
locked up in the large cell"
Good. How many in ALP"
Twenty, your Majesty; nineteen men
and one woman"
Then the ruler ordered him to bring in
the prisoners. Soon after the tramp of
many feet were heard approaching, and,
surrounded by n company of heavily armed
and vicious looking soldiers, the twenty un-
fortunates were ushered into the presence
of the demoniacal looking individual who
sat upon the throne
Bostino cried out: Here, o King. are the
foreigners whom the winds did send into
| cur port"
The poor prisoners looked about them with
awe. and it was pitiful to see them tremble
so. Unlocking as the occupant OF the throne
appeared, the surroundings of the apart
ment were more awe-inspIring. The walls
were HuUS WIFI DuHeIUuS eHslileS Vi tOE-
ture-crucial instruments that had been
| planned by hellish minds They knew from
the moment they fell into the hands of the
soldiers that they were doomed TO death;
but until now they did not suspect that tor
ture would be Inflicted upon them.
The King arose, and addressing them
said: well, strangers, how came you into
my country"
One of the men stepped forward and re-
piled: 1--WE are Americans, and through
tunl- ny sIt in cd UrIIr
coast In the name If humanity let US leave
here in safety, and When we return to our
native land we will preach your kindness to
the world"
"0h, no! And so you would have me lose
my fnn, and the ruler smiled SarcaStlcally.
NO" he continued, you must all die to-
morrow-all except the woman"
And the woman?" spoke the prisoner.
"She will remain here"
What, to be your Slave?
Even so. l am ruler here, and my wish
must be obeyed," and then the King sat
| down.
"She will never be your slave, devil and
monster that you are" and the man made
move as if lie would rush upon the tyrant.
Two OF the guard quickly pinioned his arms
and he was left powerless.
Nay, and if you are in such hurry to
die, approach and L will give you your fun
at once" and the King raised his sword as
if to strike.
The woman who had remained in the
background now sprang forward and in
pleading voice entreated him to kill her
rather than make her his slave.
So, my pretty lady, you do not seem to
take the compliment [ paid you in very
| good light. Well, perhaps you may learn in
course of time to like me better"
Never, you tyrant; L Will die sooner
| than live here
Lady, perhaps If you were to feel the
pangs OF the rack doubtless you would
ia N rly
| Seeing that the man was not to be m owed,
| the trembling woman again pleaded for her
friends.
"Oh, sir, five Of these gentlemen are my
| lovers, and you will at least spare them. In
| TACT. all of US are close friends, and it would
| be cruel TO separate Us, and her eyes were
| filed with tears.
B." Indeed" sneered his Majesty. " five of
| them your lovers. Faith, woman, and YOU
have done well. Which are YOUR lovers?'
One by one she pointed out the five men,
| and the King commanded them to step aside
| from the balance Of their friends. Then he
asked her if these five men we're really her
lovers. She answered in the affirmative.
| Truly, this is quite an innovation i'll love
| affairs. for no one in my kingdom has ever
| dared to love more than one person at the
same time. Do yon profess to love all these
persons?"
ION, sir, I like them all very. very much.
| and regard them as my dear friends"
But do you love them?"
don't know what love cieansw
DO you encourage them to like you9"
"And l suppose you suffer them to fondle
you and to be very kind to you?"
"Well, yes, / do"
"Then." harshly spoke the King, "you
have encouraged these five men to like you
| and to love you, and all the while within
your heart you 70, knew that you did NOT love
'.Oh, you wrong me, sir; l like them ALL"
Madam" and fire shone in his eyes. ''in
| my land we do not tolerate such conduct. l
will now tell you who 1 am. My name is
Experience People who land on my
| shores always complain that l am bitter.
They say that always treat them roughly.
| Perhaps l do; it is my nature to be harsh
with any strangers whom luck sends to my
country. Your Offense is objectionable,
and will now proceed to inhict punish-
ment ON you for your conduct. Bastino,
| conduct all but this woman and her five
| lovers TO the execution-room. l will adjourn
there later on" When the fourteen unfor-
tunate men had gone Experience" again
| turned to the woman and continued: 81
desire to know which Of your lovers you
| like the least"
Oh, Experience do not ask me that.
like them all very dearly"
:" 1t is no use TO parry. If you refuse to
| obey me will kill them all. The man that
| You like least of all must die Tomorrow"
| Rather than sacrifice all her lovers the
woman at last consented to name one whom
she thought was less attractive than the
| others.
| Good. Now want his name who stands
| next lowest in your opinion"
| Seeing that it was useless to handy words
| with her cruel questioner, the almost heart
broken woman named another. This did
not satisfy " Experience; he went SO far as
to demand Of her the names Of the next two
lowest in her estimation.
Now" said he. :" but one remains, and
ne is the man you like the best. He will
live, and both you and he will be permitted
to depart from here in safety, while the bal
ance OF your lovers will die day after day,
In rotation as you named them"
Before he had begun to question her in re-
gard to her lovers he had ordered the five
young men to retire to the further end Of
| the loom. SO that the conversation was not
known TO any OF them. be called to them
to approach, and he Informed them that the
| woman had condemned four of their num-
Der to death, and under what terms.
Q II. a.