San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-03-09

uI6, anu lldGSI uSASSiA pSbNeSu tl5 OOOT
and the bed.
''f they have come for Carlos they
shall only take him over my dead body!"
she muttered. But now the door opened,
and by the pale light Of the night lamp
she saw. a bulky figure enter. A long
linen ulster was buttoned about it,
cap was drawn down over its ears, and
its features were covered by bit of
Grape. One fear, her greatest, departed
at the sight. The officers of the law
would not present themselves in such
guise rs this.
Stop she cried, grasping the pitcher
more tightly. Not another step"
The man uttered british laugh, and
simply grasped her by the wrist and took
the pitcher away from her. Isabelle had
been proud of her strength. She now
learned in one instant how utterly help
less the strongest ordinary woman is in
the grasp Of q moderately powerful man.
She ceased to struggle and stood per-
fectly still. In that lonely spot cutlery
would not avail. No one could hear the
loudest screams that could be uttered at
the next house, and if some one were on
the river or the road and came to her as
sistance the presence Of Carlos might be
discovered and his rescue revealed.
What do you wanty" she asked. The
mau flung the pitcher upon the floor and
took pistol from his belt Having COW
cred her with this he released her wrist.
What l want" he said, in dull
drawl, sis everything you've got, and
all the other young woman has got, too
your money, your jewelry and any fall
lalls thatll sell for cash. No screechin',
and hurry up about itI'
Help yourself" said Isabelle, "All
we have is in these two rooms" r- ..l
Bundle them up for me-" said the
man; "Fu sort of oversee" l.,.u, .
He followed her about covering her
with his pistol as she obeyed him.
Meanwhile she noticed his heavy tread,
his small head, moving from side to side
like that of tortoise; his rough, red
hands, with stubbed and blunted nails,
striving to remember everything in or
der to be able to identify him.
Her watch, Genie's, few pins and
rings, the purse that lay in her work
basket, were collected. The travelling
bags were seized upon, and many things
thrust into them.
Turn down them pliers" said the
man. "You keep most Of your money I'M
der them il you're like other women
folk" ~.
Isabelle obeyed, the man pounced upon
large pocketbook that lay there, and
then tore away the sheets that covered
Genie's face. "Give US your rings"
said he. lyon wear three or four of
'em-here they are" He seized the
girls hand and began to tear them away,
and at this the girls courage utterly for
sock her; she uttered wild shrek, an
other and another.
Twill your asked the burglar, with
an oath; then pay for it." His finger
was on the trigger of his pistol, when
suddenly the door flew open. A figure
draped from head to foot in white stood
there, its hollow eyes fixed upon the
burglar.
1t was Carlos de la Rosa. Genie's cries
had reached him, and wrapped in a
counterpane he had managed to reach
the door
A helpless protector indeed, weakened
as he was, but the effect of his appear
ance was astonishing. The pistol fell
from the burglars hand, he threw him
self upon the floor and groyeled there.
hiding his face.
"It's his ghostr' he groaned; ''oh. my
Godl it's his ghost! Don't touch mel !
done you to death, but don't touch mel
Yes, yes. killed the old mani III con-
fess it! killed him! You was innocent,
and they hung you for it! Oh, my God!
oh, my God! can't bear itr' And with
a horrible shrek bis eyes rolled up in
his head. his face turned purple, and he
lost consciousness. Then Isabelle, tax
ing the pistol into her possession, tore
the Grape from the face and revealed the
features of Farmer Smiths hired man,
Tom Bond, who had sworn away the
life of Carlos de La Rosa. f @+' r.
Having bound the fellow hand and
foot with a stout cord, ordered the in
valid back to his bed, and fastened the
long room carefully on the outside, Isa-
belle saw that the day was breaking, and
soon a wagner appeared, who took
charge Of the wretch and conveyed him
away. Horror had taken possession of
him. He repeated his confession, and all
the village knew that an innocent man
had been executed They still believe,
down there in Corinna, that his ghost
appeared to Tom Bond as he was about
to commit q second murder, and it Is
..oo5 49,, 20 ell I>aaida the winter fro