Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1893-11-02
MURCIELAGO.

was very similar. And he did not see very
we'll and went about rather awkwardly
Therefore the name 'bat"-murcielago-
was not altogether inappropriate. Later
on, when l began to fear and dread him,
it was as one Of those great vampire bats OF
equatorial countries
Isabel, too, was afraid of him at first.
Gradually he won her over, by some singu-
lar hypnotism now begin to fancy. Poor
little, delicate, handwriting Isabel My
Door little sister He came to live with us
for a few days-that was the understand
ing. Isabel and I were far from rich. ]
had fairly good position, with prospect OF
advancement but slender salary. Isabel
kept house for me, did typewriting on her
typewriter machine and was studying Ste
biography. She meant to take position as
soon as I got my advancement, and we
were to hire servant.
Murcielago came in and upset our plans
somewhat. We bore " patiently at first.
Presently it came to be something of an
imposition-but then it was too late.
1t was now that Murcielago began to con-
slider himself "a poor foreigner, helpless in
u
ers" He was 40 years old and ablebodied.
Isabel, tender hearted little thing, was
sympathetic 1t was sad to be in strange
land without kin, without money Or en-
ployment And Murcielago had not learned
to speak English we'll. He lad been 10
years in the country-perhaps lie lacked
aptitude. Isabels heart softened to him.
He was very clever at telling tales of his
troubles and sorrows. He also praised her
cookery. There is nothing better in the
way of fattery to one who is doubtful OF
ones culinary ability, yet anxious to i'm
prove. Isabels buildings were certainly
very good. And Murcielago was very fond
of puddings.
Heneyer had told me much of his history,
but had confined himself to limiting vague
ly at political exile, confiscated estates yet
to be recovered and consequent great
wealth. / was too busy to pay much atten'
ton to any mans affairs but my own.
Murcielago, on the contrary, had nothing
to do and was fond of spending his after
moons in telling Isabel stories OF his early
life.
Ibid not think it was of any great con.
sequence-his doing so-she bad disliked
his appearance SO greatly at the beginning.
And SO began his Othello tales of lands far
away And day by day, as he told those
tales, he continued to remain with us and
feast and fatten upon us.
One night we were all sitting in our lit
tie parl5r 1t was hot weather for June,
and all the windows were wide open. A
bat flew in from God knows where in the
heart of the city. Isabel gave little
scream. think she had never seen one
"Hap' said our guest, you have them, too
here in this country And they do suck
the blood of other animals?"
"Yes," I assented rather shortly "Ws
have them here" I seized an umbrella
from the corner and struck the wheeling
frantic thing and knocked it senseless.
Then Murcielago told story of the de
struction of cattle on the great fields of the
| Argentine. dreamed Of him that night
| in the shape of a tremendous bat that was
vainly trying to fight away from Isabel.
The next day came home little earlier
than usual. In the small, dark inner hal
| paused at the sound of voices. Murciela
| go was weeping.
"Oh, you see me-here am lon my knees
| Il embrace your feetl Oh, do not, do moi
| turn me away But you are my only hopt
my only hope in life. Oh, Isabel, If yot
| desert me, 1 shall kill myselfp'
~ do not mean to desert you," said lisa
bel almost painfully, but l have my du
| ties. Please-oh, please, get upl DOM
kneel that wayl Get upl am YOU
friend'- Her voice shook little
coughed loudly0and went in. Murcielagt
had fled to his room.
Isabel" said that night, what wa.
that fellow begging of you this afternoon
wish he'd 20 away"
She changed color. "He was afraid vol
would send him away. But we've can b
patient a little longer, can't we, Nathaniel
Again that CULVER in the voice.
A few days passed.
Isabel had some savings of her own.
was asking her about them. She blushed
violently and evaded the question.
came home one night at last to find the
house dark-very dark-very silent. There
was note for me that found by and by:
NATHAN1EL-Be merciful! He went ava!
this morning early. An accident has hap
pened, and he has sent for me to nurse. mus
| go. ISABEL.
His note also was there:
Ny ALL am nearly dead. Come quick t.
save me. Come with the messenger.
There was no trace where she had gone.
walked the house all night long. In tn,
morning reported the matter to detectives
Another night-I thought should *
wild. trembled lest he had harmed thu
poor, confiding girl.
could not go to my work. TRIED to gel
some clue of my own. My limbs trembled
beneath me. returned home and fell OF
the floor, sobbing.
At dawn Isabel came in. very pale ant
shivering. She looked worn out from watch
ing at a bedside. viewed her with min
gled terror and joy inexpressible.
HE is-gone," she said hoarsely all a
once.
saw there was some terrible strain upor
her.
Iran to take off her bonnet, to sootheani
caress her tenderly.
Dear Isabel dear Isabel 1t was SO ter
rible"
"You must forgive me-" she said, speak
ing with great effort. ut is all gone
the money. Igave it to him. Now-nov
he has gone away and left me-" She rose
walked to her room and let herself droI
upon her bed.
The next day she was Ill with typhoid
fever. She never recovered.
One night in her delirium she seemed t
be fighting some vast object with wings
"Murc:elago," she moaned once.
At the end she sank away peacefully in
the shadow Of greater wing than any
known on earth--sank away calmly.
"Gone," she sighed family, "gone away
/ from me forever"
Dawn was on the housetops.
knew that the vampire had done well
his work.
Isabel had passed away.-Exchange.
f1nsAl ahneaa.