Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1896-02-19

SAulChHCs low oSSh A4A<3 eAS> -
even I, who have given many bull
the sword thrust-do not like the look
OF this fellow"
'It is two hundred pesetas, "Anto-
nio answered absently.
"And I would earn them, Antonio,
in spite of my broken wrist, il only
to gain the glory. But new Espada
has challenged-.-one whom they say is
new to the redondel." Then he added,
with some asperity: "Your chance
would have been quite as good as his
land think---two hundred pesetas
Had you not lacked the courage"
Antonio did not resent the speech.
He merely answered, quietly: "You
too, then, think I lacked courage.
That it was lying reason I gave to
Lola, as excuse for refusing the chal-
lengel"
"Hardly o lie, Antonio. I give not
the lie save for reason. It is more
that your life has been of the sheep =
that you have not the nature to battle
and kill"
Antonio made 10 reply. He was liv-
ing again that night on the hills when,
wakened from sleep by his lambs loud
bleating, no had seized his machete,
had rushed to the fold, and had slain
the mountain lion. The angry mark
on his shoulder burned again, where
the brute's strong claws had struck
him, and his olive cheeks burned, too,
as he thought of how Lola had called
him coward, and how her father now
said he lacked courage. Her father,
the famous matador, who had broken
his wrist in the last Pascua fight, and
yet managed to kill his victim!
The garrulous old man had con-
tinued to whisper. What was it he
had been saying?
e is fortune. And you could
have married my Lola"
Antonio turned ard laid his hand
impulsively on the old mans arm.
sit is enough for now, Senor. You
will attend the fight with her? Then
you will see me later"
Antonio abruptly left the church
and, crossing the square with rapid
strides, plunged into the mass of
crooked streets, between the brown
tiled dwellings, and presently emerged
OF another square, the famous Plaza
de Toros. It was inclosed by q high
adobe wall, on whose top was thick
growth of cactus. He did not approach
the main entrance, which merry
crowd was besieging, but sought a
small door on the eastern side, at
which he knocked nervously.
The guard within called out, grufay |:
"Quien?"
"Antonio Gomez"
"Welcome, Antonio Gomez"
The burlY guard eyed the youths
l1ghth figure, as dealer might take
notes of the good points of horse,
and nodded in grave approval: ssYou
would make brave matador, my son,
if yon had first the much-needed prac-
tice. AS it is-well, it may be, per-
haps---if Toro Negro will let you"
He led the way to an inner room,
which he placed at Antonio's disposal,
and reverently laid out the richly
colored sash, the small red flag and
the short sword, sharp as razor, that
comprised the matador's equipment.
Antonio took up the light weapon.
balanced and swung it back and forth,
ran his fingers along its keen edge,
and replaced it On the table.
Again the guard smiled and nodded.
"When all is ready I will call you
Senor," he said, as he left the apart.
ment.
Antonio could hear the tramping OF
-heefs5 as tAe-pieaaores mounted; aud
the music of the band came to him
family, through the thick walls, as it
played the strains of familiar song.
favorite song of Lola's. How stir
ringly Lola had sung it that night on
the mountain! And when she had
finished she laid her guitar beside him,
and spoke of the Pascua bull fight,
and, with soft arm around his neck,
asked him to take up the challenge, in
an effort to win the grand public
prize--:the much coveted prize that
would fsll.to him who might conquer
the black sensuntepec bull. In their
poverty it was quite fortune to
them. 1t was by far the largest prize
that HAD ever yet been offered. Its
possession would mean they might
marry at once, without waiting for
that uncertain time when they might
be able to save enough to pay the fee
of the Padre. The Padres fee was
very high; fifty pesetas for holding
the mass. fifty more for the precious
scroll that would prove the ceremony.
Why, then, had he so bluntly re.
fused? 1t was not from cowardice
that he knew. He hardly understood
it himself, but that he had an unreas.
enable dislike of inAicting useless tor
ture.
And Lola had called him coward ;
had refused to hear such childish ex-
cuse, and, with fine scorn, had left
him.
And he had gone back to his little
cane hut, and had lain awake through
the long, dark night, watching the
twinkling Southern Cross and thinking
about the girl whom he loved-who
had mockingly called him coward!
Andlong before daybreak he left the
hut, and, at sunrise, awoke the Padre
and the Padre had written q letter
for him-at the price of his last
peseta.
And he had not seen Lola since, un.
til in the church procession. But to-
day-to-day he would show her that
at least he did not lack the courage!
He heard the shouts and the cheer
ing, as the picadores entered; then he
heard the wild, pulsating notes of the
miranda, sounding far away and in
distinct. Then ne heard an occasion
al burst of applause; and still he sat
there waiting.