Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-01-09

! 10 me TOT WnlCn, were you a man, would do my best to be avenged upon you. But as you are a woman I can only answer them and then wash my hands of you As you must know or will know when you como to your right mind, I would gladly have taken Francisco's place. But 1t was impossible, for had 1 attempted to dress myself up in the robe of Aea should in- stantly have been discovered, and you would have paid the price of my folly. We all knew this, and after we had con- suited things were arranged as have told you. l only consented to your being brought here on the condition that I was l allowed to accompany you for your protec- | tion. Now wish that had left it alone and gone with Francisco; then perhaps should have found peace instead of bitter words and reproaches. However, do not be afraid, for I think it probable that shall soon follow him. l know that you were very fond of this man-this hero- and also, either by accident or design, that you had succeeded in making him Q great deal too fond of you for his peace of mind. Therefore make excuses for your conduct, which, with all such deductions, still remains perfectly intolerable." He paused and looked at her as she sat on tho edge of the couch, biting her lip and glancing toward him now and again with curious expression on her beauti- full face, in which grief, pride and anger all had their share. Yet at that moment Juanna was thinking not of Francisco and his sacrifice, but of the man before her whom she had never loved so we'll as now, when he spoke to her thus bitterly, paying her back in her own coin.
 ''I cannot pretend to match you in scolding and violence" she said. "There- fore will give up argument. Perhaps, bnNHycr Nyhpn tn i-bt mind, you will remember that my life is my own and that gave nobody permis- sion to savo it at the cost of another per son's.'
 What is done is done, answered Leon ard moodily, for his anger had burnt out. Another time I will not interfere without your express wish. By the way, my poor friend asked me to give you these, and he handed her the rosary and the note book. He has written something for you 10 read on the last sheet of the journal, and he bade me say that, should you live to escape, he hoped that you will wear this" and he touched the crucitlx, lin memory of him, and also that you would not forget him in your prayers
 Juanna took the journal, and holding it to tho light opened it at hazard Tho first thing that she saw was her own name, for in truth it contained, among many other matters, record of the priests unhappy infatuation from the first moment of their meeting and also of his efforts to overcome it. Turning tho pages rapidly, she came to the last on which thcre was any writing. It ran as follows:
 "Senora, of the circumstances under which I write these words you will learn in due course. The pages of this journal should you dciGn to study them, will re- veal to you my weakness. If am a priest l am also man, who soon shall be neither but, as l hope. an immortal spirit and the man in me following those desires of tho spirit that find expression through the flesh has darCd to love you. Forgive me this sin, as trust it will be forgiven else where, though myself I cannot pardon it. Be happy with that noble gentleman who has won your heart, and who himself worships you you deserve. May you be protected from all the dangers that now surround you, as I think you will and may tho blessings of God be with you for many peaceful years till at length you come to his own peaCc-the peace that passcth understanding. And when from timC to time you think of mo may you couple my namC with certain !iuIy words 'GrCatCr love hath no Aan than this, that n man lay down his life for his friends. Sonora farewell" "
 JuanDa read this touching and noble hearted adicu with an ever growing won- der, and when she finished put down the book, crying aloud:
 "Oh, wb0t have l done to deserve such devotion ns this?" And then with strange and bewildcring inconsistcncc she flung herself into Lconard's arms, and buryinS her head upon his breast began to weep.
 When she was somewhat calmcr. he also read the letter and closed the book, saying:
 The world is poorer by very perfect gentleman. He was too good for any of us, Juanna."
 II think so, she answered
 Just then they heard sound without the door. It opened, and Nam entered, accompanied by Sua.
 "Delivercr, :" said the aged priest, whose countcnancc and troubled eyes horc traces of many conflicting emotions and you, Shcphcrdcss, l como to speak with you As you sec, 1 an alone except for this woman, but should you attempt any vio- lence toward her or me that will he the signal for your deaths. With much toll and at no little risk to myself I have spared the ifo of the Shepheriess, causing the white man, your companion, to be offered up in her place"
 Has that offering been accomplished:' broke in Leonard, who could not restrain his anxiety to learn what had happened
 II will Dc frank with you, dCliverer '' answered tho high priest when Juanna had translated his question, "since for once tho truth cannot hurt me, for now we know too much of one another's 3D. crets to waste time in bandying lies. know. for instance, that tho Shepherdess and the dwarf arc no gods, but mortal like ourselves, and you know that Ihave dared to affront the true gods by changing the victim whom they had chosen. The sacri- flee has been accomplished, but with so many signs and wonders that I am be- wildered. The People of the Mist are be- wildercd also, 50 that none know what to think. Tho whita man, your companion, was hurled fainting into the waters when the dawn had broken upon the mountain and was seen to be gray, but the dwarf, your servant, did not wait to have that office done for him, for ha sprang thither himself-ayc and took ono with him."
 Bravo, Otter"' said Leonard. II knew that you would die hard"
 Hard did he dle indeed, deliverer," " said Nam, with sigh, ''so hard that even now many swear that he was a god and not man. Scarcely had they all vanish cd in the pool when a wonder chanced suou ds AaS uot peen toiu oI III ouE recofus DeliyereF, the white dawn turned to red perohanee, as 1 cried to calm tho peo- pie, because the false gods had met their doom.''
 Then tho true ones must be Singularly blind, said Juanna, "seeing that l. whom you daro to call a false god, am still alive"
 This staggered Nam for moment, but he rose to the occasion.
 Yes. Shephertcss, you arc still alive, he said, laying curious emphasis on the still. " And indeed" he added hasti. ly, If you are not foolish, you may long remain so, both of you, for have no de- sire to shed your blood who only seek to spend my last days in peace But listen to the end ot the tale. While the people