The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1893-07-04
THE INCARNATION.


peaks OF the Sierras.
The food of golden light no longer
bathed the housetops of A;manecar
village, that like an eagles nest,
hung on the side of the rocky mount
aims.
But in the streets of the little
town lights were cleaning and bon
fires burning.
Troops of peasants gayly clad in
holiday attire filed the narrow
thoroughfares and the broad plaza
that formed the center of the town.
II was the Eve of St John and all
were preparing for the festival day.
On a stone bench close by the door
of the little inn that frOnted on the
square and bore for its sign rude
picture of golden goat. sat two
young men.
From their sober garb. its fashion
and the long hair that curled down
over their ears. one would have pro-
nounced them students.
And so they were; scholars of the
dark convent that frowned upon the
crest of neighboring hill.
One was called Luis Amadrr, q
handsome youth with jet black eyes
and hair; hands, me. despite the look
of sadness that clouded his face.
His friend was known as Enrique.
a wild and thoughtless blade.
'.Why SO sad?" questioned Enrique.
..Have | not en-, ugh to make me
sad?" replied Luis. Look upon
yonder CASTLE" and he pointed to a
lordly tower that. perched upon a
spur of the Sierra. kept watch and
ward over town and sea. ''Six
months ago l was the lord of that
place. the last heir Of Amador's line.
But on my fathers death came a
stranger with many parchment
proof of debt my father owed. He
wrenched my estate from me. and to-
day | am beggar. My cousin. to-.
the fair Marina. once my plighted
wife. but now-with less of fortune
came less of love"
"If the blue-blooded belle forsakes
you, the damsel of low degree is
more kind. Juanita. the maid of the
inn here. thinks all the world of you. :"
True. have guessed her secret. Z"
replied Luis, sadly. Enrique. this
night | determined to know my fate.
In some ancient book l have read a
strange old legend of the night of the
Eve OF st. John. If an anxious lover
stands within the churchyard at the
midnight hour and casts over his
shoulder three slips OF olive that
have felt the touch of water blessed
by the church. and invOkes the
maiden of his fate. the semblance of
his future wife will appear before
him. Tonight l will try if the legend
be truth or falsehood.
Luck go with you comrade: but
come. let's to supper. for the night
draws apace."
The two friends departed.
Hardly were they out of sight ere
a man stepped from the shadow of the
inn door. where he had listened to
their conversation.
The listener was Gabriel, the usurp-
ing count of Amador
Would that satan waited for him
in the churchvardr" cried the dark
orowed count. vengefully.
"A pious wish. truly" replied a
voice that came from the side of the
inn where the shaaow was dense.
Gabriel turned in amazement: then.
from his resting-place on the earth
by the wall of the inn. rose a stall
wart fellow. roughly clad.
'.Ruy Guinartm exclaimed Gabriel.
1.-The same: ex-brigand. ex-game-
ster. eX-everything that Mother
Church condemns and honest people
avoid"
What do you seek here?"
You. comrade of mine. The
world has used you well. ! would
Ghare your good fortune: besides |
have certain papers to sell you. The
receipts given by your father to the
old count of Amador for money paid:
The receipts stolen by false servant
and in the absence of which You have
been able to seize the estate of ANA
cor. Will you buy them or shall
seek the Outcast heir that left you
Just now?"
mo. no" cried Gabriel, hastily.
81 will pay whatever you demand.
But word upon another subject
Sit down"
They did not notice that a girlish
sace was pee.ing through lattice
window of the inn upon them. or that
her ears were eagerly drinking in
their words.
This Luis goes on a fools errand
20 the old church yard tonight"
Gabriel said.
"Yes; heard"
"He must never leave that spot
alive"
STOOD: I'm your man."
''Have you the papers with you?"
''fes. They were stolen by
servant of the count after his death.