Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-12-24
THE PEOPLE
OF THE MIST.
Copyright, 1895, by the Author.I
CHAPTER VIII.
By Il. RIDER HAGGARD.

perhaps you will table the gold. This is
cash transaction, remember"
Certainly" answered Leonard Where
is that black dog of mine, the dwarf? All,
there he is! Dog, weigh out the stuff. II
you have not enough, here is more, and
he unbuckled his belt, from which he had
been careful to extract the ruby, and
threw it to Otter.
Now, gentlemen and companions" he
went on, for l hope that we may do bust
ness together by and by, drink my health
and my brides. l have paid pretty dear
for her, hut what of il; y gentleman of
our profession should always be ready to
back his far, :. for If his is apt to be n
short life he I4i;Iy well make il n merry
ONE
She will think the better of you, and
you of her, for il, cried a voice. Here
is to Captain Pierre and the girl" and
they drank, shouting aloud in their half
drunken mcrriment.
Meanwhile Otter, advancing with obse-
quious steps, was pouring handful after
handful of gold coin and ingots into the
large scales which Percira caused to be
held before him. Now all the gold was in,
a shining heap.
The balance does not turn said
Xavier. - claim the girl
Bans said Otter in a low voice and
speaking in Dutch, have you more gold?
The weight is short
Leonard glanced carclessly at the scales.
They were trembling on the turn.
''-As much rs you like" he said, "but
here is what will do it
And drawing off his signet ring lie
threw il on the pile. The ruby excepted,
il was the last thing of value that he had
about him. The scale vibrated and sank
down.
Good, - said PCreira, rubbing his hands
at the sight of so much treasure, but
bring me the acid that 1 may test the
stuff. No offense, stranger Pierre, but
this is n wicked world in which brass has
passed for gold before today
The acid was brought and the ingots
tested 1T hazard, Pereira holding them to
the light OF the lamp.
They are good he said. Now, IA
Their do Your part"
The priest Francisco stepped forward.
He was very pale and seemed terrified.
Leonard, watching him, wondered what
had brought him into such company, for
the man : face was good and even refined.
Dom Antonio" said the priest in q
soft, girlish voice, Il protest against this.
Fate has brought me among you, though
against my own will, and l have been
forced TO bear the sight of much evil, but
1 have wrought none. 1 have shriven the
y l
have comfortcd the oppressed, but l have
taken no sharo of the price of blood. l
am a priest of our holy church, and if i
we'd these two lefore the sight of men they
will be husband and wife till death, and
shall have set tine seal of the blessing of
the church upon an act OF shame. 1 will
not do il.
You will not do it, You shaveling
traitor" screamed Pcreira in n voice
hoarse with rage. DO you want to fol-
low your brother, thcns Look here, my
friend. either you obey me and marry
these two or and he Kissed n horrible
threat.
No. no." said Leonard, anxious to find
an escape from this ahOminablc mOckcry.
Let him hc. What do the cheat prayers
matter? The lady and I can do without
them
Il tell you, stranger, that you shall
marry this girl, and this snivcler must
marry you. If You don't, will keep both
her and the gold, and as for him he can
choose. Here. slaves, the sjamboCh.
Francisco's delicate face flushed pink
Il am no hero that l can suffer thus, - he
said. Il will do your bidding, Dom An
tOnia. and may God forgive me the SIM
For you, Pierre and Juanna, l am about
to make y,.sl man and wife to join you i'll
indiSsOlublc because of the dreadful cir
cumstances under which il is celebrated
/ say TO you. Pierre, abandon your wicked
ness and love and cherish this woman
lest curse from heaven fall upon you.
say to you. Juanna, put your trust in
God, the God of the fathcrleSs and op-
pressed. who will svcngc your wrongs
and forgive me. Let water be brought that
may conseCratC it-watcr and n ring
81 ~ s-s.S.s roir
ing Leonard signCt riTd: from the pile of
| gold. Il give it back for a luck penny. "
| And he tossed the ring to the priest
Water was brought in a basin, and the
| father consccrated it
Then he babe Leonard stand by the girl
and motiOned to the crowd to fall back
from them. All this while Leonard had
| been watching Juanna- She said no word,
! and her face was calm, but her eyes told
him the terror and perplexity which tore
| her heart
Once or twice she lifted her clinchctl
right hand toward her lips, then dropped
it without touching them. Leonard knew
but too we'll what deed she mcditatcd.
| He knew also the deadly nature of the
drug she carried. If once it touched her
| lips. The suspense was terrible. He could
| bear it no longer. Even ut the risk of dis
| covcry he must speak with her. In obcdi'
ence to the priests direction he sauutered
TO her side, laughing; then, still laughing,
with his hand he separated the tresses OF
dark hair, as though to look at the beauty
| of her side face and bent down rs il e
kiss her.
She stood pale and rigid, but once NOR
her hand went toward her mouth.
''Stopv' he whispered swiftly into he
ear, speaking in English. L have come
to rescue you. Go through this. 1t means
nothing. Then, if bid you, run for TIL
drawbridge into the slave camp"
She heard, the light of intelligenc
shone in her eyes, and her hand fell again
Come, stop that, friend Pierre, salt
Pereira suspiciously. What are yol
whispering about"
Il was telling the bride how beautiful
1 think her. he answered carelessly.
Juanna turned and flashed on him
well simulated glance of hate and scorn
Then the ceremony began.
The young priest had low and beauti
full voice, and by the light of the moon h
read the Roman Catholic ritual of mai
. rage so solemnly that even the villain
!, who stood round ceased their jokes an
, sneers and were silent. All things wer
, done in order though Juanna made N
reply to the usual questions With niue
sham courtesy the loathsome Pereira gay
, the bride away, their hands were Joinet
the ring was set upon Juanna's finger, I'll
blessing was pronounced, and it was fiji
ished.
All this while Leonard stood like q ma
a in a dream. He felt as though he Wei
t really being married. 1t even came int
his mind as he looked upon the loveline:
of the mock bride at his side that a wor.
fate might befall him. Then of a sudde
an incident happened that brought him
! capSa of facts The nripSt had 7
- brush with which 20 sprinkle the cons
Grated water and looked round for n SUI
stitute
Here, take this said Pereira, with q
>, ugly laugh, rs he snatched n three thongs
=. | Sln,-n rUhin from the hand of a mnn WI