Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-12-22

somewhat rounded in form. So much he
saw at a glance, but IL was not until she
looked up and round her that Leonard dis
covered the girls peculiar glory, the glory
of her eyes. Then and in that light he
rould not tell their color, difficult task
mt any time, for they varied from gray to
blue, according to tho shadows which fell
upon them, but he could see that they
were wide and splendid, fearless and yet
soft. For the rest she was clad in an Arab
robe, richly worked. and wore sandals on
her feet.
Juanna stopped in front of the yeranda
and searched it with her eyes. Presently
they ceased searching, and she spoke in q
clear, low voice
What do you want with me now. Dom
Antonio Pereiraf" she said.
My dove" he answered in his coarse,
mocking tones, do not be angry with
your slave. promised you, my dove, that
1 would find a husband for you, and now
all these gallant gentlemen are gathered
for the choice. 1t is your marriage hour,
my dove"
Dom Antonio Pereira," the girl an
swereG, "for the last time plead to you.
1 am helpless here among you, and / have
done you no injury. Let me go unframed,
pray of your
Let you go unharmedf Why, who
sOus wv oho"N4Sa viz
satyr. You go to a husband.
Il shall never go to any husband of
your choosing, Dom Antonio" Juanna
said again in n low and steady voice. BE
assured of that, all of you have no fear
of you, for God will help me in the last re-
source. And now, as / have pleaded to
you for the last time, SO for the last time
warn you, Dom Antonio, and your wick
ed companions also. Go on with this II
you will, but a judgment awaits you.
Death is near to you, you murderer, and
after death yengeance!'
Thus she spoke, not loud indeed, but
with a conviction, a power and dignity
of mien that carried terror to the hearts of
the most hardened villains there. 1t was
at the conclusion of her speech that her
eyes first met those of Leonard Outram.
He was bending forward to listen, and in
his grief and anger he had forgotten to
preserve the truculent expression which
was his part to wear. Once more Leon
ards face was the face of nm English gen.
tleman, noble and open, IL somewhat
stern. Their eyes met, and there was that
in his which caused Juanna to pause. She
looked at him ~'.Eiftly, as though she
would read his very soul, and in answer
he put all his will and hearts desire into
his gaze, the will and the desire that she
should know him to be her friend. They
had never met before. She did not even
dream of his existence, and there was lit
tie in Leonard's outward appearance to
distinguish him from the ruffians by whom
he was surrounded. And yet her quick
sense, sharpened by despair, read what
was written in his eyes and read it Alright.
From that moment Juanna felt that she
was not alone among these wolves; that
there was one at least who would save her
If he could. In an instant she had searched
his face and dropped her eyes again, fear
ing lest she should awake suspicion.
The scene was one which Leonard never
forgot. Above the bright moon shone in
the heavens, before him were rank upon
rank of evil faces, each marked with some
new emotion, and standing alone in their
midst was the beautiful girl, proud in the
depth of shame. defiant even in the power
of foes gathered to destroy her.
For awhile the wind had dropped, and
the silence was deep-so deep was 1t that
Leonard could hear the NEW of n kitten
which had crcpt from the veranda and was
rubbing itself against Juanna's feet. She
heard it also and, stopping, picked up the
little creature and held it to her breast.
Let her go"' said a voice from the
crowd. 'Shc is a witch and will bring ill
luck upon us"
AT the sound Pcrcira seemed to awake.
With hideous oath he flung himself from
the chair and waddlcd down the steps to-
ward his victim.
Curse you. you SLUT he said DO
you think to frighten men with your
threats? Let God help you if he can. The
Yellow Devil is god here. You are as
much in my power as this brute" And
he snatched the kitten from her arms and
dashed it to the ground, where il lay bro
ken. You see, God does not help the kit
ten, and he will not help you. Here, strip
her. Let men see what they were going to
INNax- 4 Ind ir1rr hn hF.anGr M IA
white robe, he rent it open.
With one hand Juanna gathered up the
torn dress, and with the other she began
to do something to her hair. An agony of
fear took hold of Leonard. He knew the
story of the poison which she carried. Was
she about to use it:
Once again their eyes met, and there
was warning in his glance. She loosed her
dark hair indeed and let it fall about her
shoulders, covering her rent robe to the
waist, but she did no moro. Only after
that Leonard saw that she kept her right
hand closed, and he knew that her death
was hidden within it. Then she spoke
once more to Pereira.
In your last hour may you remember
these two deeds" she said, pointing to the
writhing kitten and to her torn dress.
Now slaves drew near to do their masters
bidding, but even that audience would not
suffer this.
Leave her alone they said. We can
see that the girl is fair and perfect
SThen the slaves hung back, nor did Pc
| reira repeat his commands.
Returning to the veranda, he stood by
the chair, and taking an empty glass in
his hand by way of an auctioneer's ham,
mer began:
Gentlemen, l am going to offer you q
very choice lot, SO choice that it makes up
all the sale. The lot is a white girl, half
| English and half Portuguese by blood.
She is well educated and devout AS to
| her dOcility can say nothing. That will
be for her husband to attend to. OF her
beauty 1 need not speak. You can all see
it for yourselves. Look at that figure,
that hair, those eyes. Have any of you
known their equali Well, this lot will DO
to him among you who is inclined to make
me the largest present in compensation
| yea, yea, he may take her this very night,
and my blessing with her. But there are
conditions. He whom 1 approve must be
lawfully married to the girl by the priest
Francisco here, 3" and turning he pointed
to a small, melancholy looking man, with
a womanish face and dark blue eyes, who
stood in the background clothed in a
| priests robe. Then 1 shall have done my
duty by her. One more thing, gentlemen
Wo are not going TO waste time in little
bids The upset price will be 80 ounces I"
''Silyerf' said a voice.
Silver: No, of course not. Do you
think you are bidding for n niger girl
foolf Gold, man, goldl Thirty ounces of
gold, and payment to be made on tho
nail
There was a groan Of disappointment,
and one man cried out:
What are we poor fellows to dor .Thir-
ty ounces for beginningI Where Is our
chance:"
What are you to dor Why, work hard
at your profession and grow rich, of course!