Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-20

~ supper tuat MS Ii MlsterlO NnlttQ taDle
again. While he was in the kitchen dishing up
there entered the car a dark, sinister-looking
man, whom the others greeted as Senior Ma
reno He took his seat at the table and Miss
homa noticed that the jokes and pleasantly
ceased the moment he came among them She
saw at once that the man was distrusted
and disliked, and gathered from the desultory
remarks to him that he was the slime keeper
Two minutes later, perhaps. FL Misterio en-
tered, and, passing down the car paused at the
center OF the table and set down directly be-
lore the Spaniard dish Of steaming potatoes
As he did so Miss Roma saw the fire flame in
that wonderful ruby heart and every point on
the diamonds cleaned like splintered sunshine.
The blood red CLEAN flashed athwart Mareno's
race, and with an oath he sprang to his feet
put II Misterio was too quick for him. His
two sinewy hands had reached his pistol
holsters in an instant. and as Senior Mareno
cred his heart
$50 have found you!"
heady to collapse with terror. Miss Roma
sun mad strength to notice Ell Misterio's voice
II was MS hard as steel, and his face had aged
twenty years in as many seconds. With a
scorn!ul laugh the yet motionless Mareno said.
Having found me, chiquirritin, what is it
you viii do! have not even the honor of
your acquaintance"
II shall kill you," said Ell Misterio. the
seeming hell IN his heart showing in his tones.
as ne sun heid his guns unswervingly on Ma
reno. You never saw me before no. But Won
nave seen face so like mine that were YOU
man instead OF devil you would beg a bullet
through your heart rather than prolong your
degradation. Even il years and devouriue
hatred have altered the resemblance to one YOU
nave known you have recognized nv ring, and
IL mas betrayed you, as knew it would sooner
or later. did not know your name nor your
nativity, but swore by the God of vengeance
that would hunt you to the death, with this
ring on my finger rs your accuser.
Gentlemen, turning to the group OF ques-
tloning faces about the table. but keeping
Marenos heart covered, "this carrion is nv
lawful prey. / have hunted him over every
square mile OF habitable territory in this broad
land In the last five years. NY twin sisters dis
honor and death lie at tIis devils door, I don I
ask You to back my play or to take Q hand.
only beg that you will stand clear and let me
clean up the game"
That's sound doctrine, Mystery, an We
won't do no argifyin' over that, but il you
amt never seen yer man. an don't know his
name. how kin yer sabe when we've got the
drop on the right victim2'
FL Misterio lowered, said the grading boss
one gun and with his teeth removed the
ruby ring. which he tossed on the table.
There, Mr.. Shlson, on that mans person
or among his belongings you will find the
dead match to that ring. He gave tina,
to my sister the night she thought she was
married to him, but found later that boon
companion Of her profigate destroyer had off,
clated In the capacity Of minister. He had two
rings exactly alike-one he placed upon her
hnger, the other be put upon his own hand,
and told her they were family heirlooms of
great age. This much my sister told me while
the poison she had taken was chilling her heart
/ learned no more, for she died with the name
OF her DESTROYER unspoken- For five years
have fiounied that ring abroad from palace to
dance hall. absolutely the only clue left me- 1t
was never recognized before"
The game is up, gentlemen" Mareno SPOKE
for the first time and his snaky ewes glittered
evilly. IF the impetuous young friend will
permit me" and be made q slight movement
toward his pocket.
''No, you don't. misterI'' and half q dozen
men sprang toward him, one Of whom relieved
him Of big derrinSer and a wicked-looking
knife. Put down your guns: Mystery viii
protect your play. Now, Mareno, she'll out"
AT the word he drew from his pocket and
laid beside the ruby heart its perfect match.
You have it, senors," he said. coolly. "Are
Shall we bring this game to q close?"
whats yer play, Mystery? better adjourn
to the hill and have it out before turnin' in
time, suggested Mr.. Stilson. The advice was
taken and they filed ont in the twilight, leaving
Miss Roma paralyzed in her corner. As she
finally pulled herself together and staggered
down the steps she saw scores of dark forms
outlined against the flames of the fire they had
built of dead pinon. the better to light their
work OF destruction. She flung herself on the
bed and wrapped the blankets about her head
to shut out the sounds. but she heard them
distinctly. Bang. bang!" SO close together
they seemed almost one. "They made Quick
work Of it," she thought, drearily, as she sa,
up, shivering with nervousness. The worst
was over, however. and the newspaper
instinct was again uppermost The
Daily Miner could have a scare head for the
next day and scoop its contemporaries thereby.
Miss Roma felt that there was a paucity of facts
and dearth of names to enliven her scoop. but
she was too good a newspaper woman to let
such little things as that retard her labors. II
she didn know any of the names neither did
anybody else. She wrote rapidly for an hour,
then winding mp pathetic tale of love and be-
travail, with the tragic occurrence Of the even
ing. she put the pages together to take to the
train dispatcher. the only operator there Just
as she opened her door Joses face appeared
from the darkness.
Jesus, Senorita! but have we not the trou-
bles?"
Trouble. indeed, Josef What have they done
with the bodies!n
''Of Senior Mareno they have no care. Him
no buena. They plant him mebbe go ma
mana"
..And Ell Misterio"-
Ia! am forget. He have asking you will
come no.
HE asking for me, Isn't he dead?"
Isl, mebbe SO, manana-tomorrow. It Is NOT
so now
Stupid. take me to him at once" and Miss
Roma rushed the bewildered Mexican of in the
midst OF a torrent of expostulatory Spanish
and murdered English. He led her to the car
OF the superintendent Of the track LAYERS, and
there on the bed lay e. Misterio, the pallor OF
death on his face. Candles had been placed a,
his head and feet by some devout Catholic. and
an ivory cruciix Law upon his breast, stained
blood. red with the living dye. yelling M from
the hole over his heart The car was hall
filled, and sympathetic faces thronged the doors.
sling. he murmured family. as she brushed
back the curls damp with death dew "Your
voice is swee: like my sisters"
Miss Roma feared that her heart would fail
her, but impelled thereto by the pleading ewes
and cInging touch she sang as she never sang
before. The spirit of that afternoon hour OF
Song seemed to rest upon them ALL for out in
the night two or three rich clear voices took up
the familiar strains and sustained her to the
end
Have you no word to leave for friepds?- she
asked as the hills carried away the last echoes
OF the hymn. He shook his head then beck.
oned her closer, and said for her ear alone: 81
am the last OF my name. That mans perfidy
has cost our family four lives. I'd like to be
taken back and laid between the graves Of NV
mother and sister. You will find money
enough in my grip. It is in the cooks car. .
and then he gave the name Of a town and state
and a family name that has given to the nation