San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-06-25
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American Life and Love,

OULiSit i!SW lNON'
six o'cIdck'the worst viii be passed, but
until them. -
"The worst! This has been the hap
piest and most successful day of my life!
If were to die this moment / should die
satisfied. But you and l, my dear prince,
are not going to die just yet, in spite of
that broken wheelpin. You shall buy
back your kingdom, or intrigue it
back
"Be still! 1t has GOMEZ said the other,
rising to his feet as Keppel left his con-
cealment behind the trees and advanced
upon them, covering Sallie with his
weapon.
The suddenness of the apparition add
ed, perhaps, to other influences, over
threw the woman's habitual self COM
mand. She crouched with the instructive
impulse to escape, but the muzzle of the
revolver followed her. STAND upl' said
Keppel.
care you afraid to die?"
"Why do you do this?' she demanded,
fercely. "Have 1 not kept my promise?"
Even her dead body is worth uni
verse of souls like yours; but you have
taken her life, and you must join your
sister devils. 1t is no punishment; but
there can be none for you in this world.
You shall go elsewhere"
81 tell you she is alive! Speak to him,
Nanak! he will believe you. What does
he mean? She is aliver'
"It is the evil hour" said the man, in
differently. cit cannot be averted."
He spoke in an distracted tone, and
stood staring ON the ground with his
arms hanging by his side. THE evil
hourr' he repeated. $3.50 .. .".0..
"Coward-not to help me! And you.
Keppel Darke coward to kill defence
less woman! Oh, if i had weapon!
Give me an equal chance and I will not
be the first to cry for mercy"
"Yes, it shall be SO" said Keppel. 81,
too, prefer it. You shall have the chance
you think so valuable"
"Have you another pistol?' she asked,
with fierce, searching eyes.
mo; but you shall have your chance
at this. We will draw lots for it. Gar
cha, pluck two grasses and hold them for
US. The one who wins shoots"
Garcia complied. There was an ex-
preston of weary contempt on his feat
ures as he held out the grasses, con-
cealing their length. you cannot
avert it," he said to Sallie. as she stood
trembling with suspense. now flushed,
now white.
81 shall win-I will kill you yet. KEEP
pei Darker she said between her teeth.
Keppel was now as impassive as Garcia.
(which gets the pistol-the short grass
or the long?"
"The long," said Sallie.
"There it lies" rejo'aed Keppel, plac-
ing the revolver on the turf at her feet.
Now, are you ready?
"Yes-I shall VIM
Draw, them"
They both drew simultaneously. Sal
lie won. She threw up her hands with
a wild laugh, and then stopped to pick
up the weapon. But Garcia had already
secured it. Keppel stepped back a pace
or two and stood with his hands clasped
behind him.
"Give it to meT said Sallie. 81 will
kill him myself. All, Keppel Darke-at
lastr'
"You cannot kill him." returned the
other, retaining the weapon. 1T is you
who must die-you and l.
care you mad? Give me the revol-
ver"' She tried to snatch it from him.
u lnl IN
a quick turn of the arm, aimed at her
heart and fired. She remained erect
moment, her eyes dilating in stare of
rage and amaZement. As she sank for
ward, the wound being almost instantly
fatal, the mysterious being who had
slain her received her in his arms and,
half kneeling, supported her against his
shoulder.
"You Caucasians do not understand
love-" he said, looking up with quiet
face at Keppel. You do not; this wom-
an did not, but she understands now.
Hitherto many things have separated us,
but henceforth we shall be together.
Why do you wait here. GO home to
your Olympia. Be happy in your way.
The papers you signed are destroyed
with this woman. Leave us to our
selves"
you will come with me-" said KEEP
pei sternly. You will answer for
Sallie's life as we'll as for Olympia's.
My revenges and my hopes are both
ended"
Olympia is alive" returned the other
quietly. what you mistook for death
was only trance. l should have awak-
ened her as soon as we were off your
grounds" He paused and waved his
arm with a peculiar gesture. "She Is