The herald., 1896-03-01
written for TIE HERALD.
CHAPTER II


her room after the terrible night when
We left her faipting on the hoor, over
come by her cruel husbands inhuman
treatment.
At first, when he saw her lying white
and still, with the moonlight softly
falling across her sweet patient face,
his wicked heart half pitied her, but
the feeling lasted only a moment.
Her friends took charge Of her, and
whom the doctor pronounced her case
serious, saying that she had an attack
OF brain fever, Martinez left the house,
unobserved and unregretted.
He silently wended his way back to
the gambling den, there to drown his
accusing thoughts in strong drink.
Many came and went, but still he lin
gsred over the game until he was so
completely overcome with drink that
he was taken to the back room in a
drunken sleep, there to remain until
the afternoon of the next day, when he
staggered home, looking as wretched as
he felt. He WAS yet too much under
the influence Of liquor to realize his
wife's true condition.
The nurse had been strictly ordered
by the doctor to keep absolute silence
In the house, and to admit no one to
the sick room, on any pretext what
ever.
But when Martinez was told this, he
was angry, and declared that he would
zee his wife when he pleased, and that
nc doctor or nurse or any one else had
Q right to debar him from her presence
With these remarks he staggered into
the darkened room, and walking up to
the bed, rudely shook his wife's shoul-
der and spoke to her. She did not
know him, but stared for q moment
at him wildly, then frightened at his
presence, called for Romero most pite-
ously, and, with clasped hands, i'm
plored him to save her from danger.
She struggled to rise from the bed, but
her strength failing her, she cried to
her lover for help.
"Romero, Romero! come, come
quickly! Oh, he will kill me; oh, my
babies? for Gods sake save them!"
Juans fell back exhausted on the pill
and friend, over and over again.
Martinez stood listening, amazed at
what he had just heard; then his face
turne dark with rage and jealous hate
for the man he knew she loved, and
vengeance burned within his soul.
He did not speak, or offer to comfort
her. but stood silent and gloomy for
some minutes. Then he left the house
and again returned to his old haunts.
His friends whom he met noticed he
wore an unusually dark scowl, and they
saw he was in an unusually savage
mood. He was subject to these spells,
and hie friends knew at such times he
was dangerous and quarrelsome.
Martinez walked into the public
place, and took a seat near the outer
door, where he could see the faces of
each passer-by. He seemed to be
watching eagerly for some one, and his
associates knew that it was for revenge
he waited, and they dreaded the appear
ance Of the one sought for. He had
lost more heavily than usual the night
before, and they thought it was for
some of his last nights companions he
was watching, but dared not interfere
with him or ask him any questions.
he refused to drink with several who
asked him, and when pressed by them
was insulting in his refusal.
Finally the shades of night de-
scended and the place was lighted up,
and music and gay throng filed the
hall. Martinez still sat, unmoved by it
all, looking savage and morose. Pre-
sently two men whom he recognized
entered, and walking up to the bar
called for drinks, without noticing his
presence.
The younger of the two held his glass
before him and offered toast:
"Here's to the health of our late de-
parted citizen, Romero" and swallowed
his liquor at draught.
The other drank his without an an
swer. After they had both drank they
continued leaning carelessly against
the bar. When the first speaker again
spoke of Romero, Martinez waited
anxiously for each word.
"ROmero, am told 1eIt for parts un-
known last night. His servants are
homeless and without work, lamenting
the loss OF good master. He has bid
den them all good bye and intends
never returning"
knowing look, couldn't stand it to see
AAAS OAA oWOOtbSoAb 6dCIl1lCSu dG Lu6
shrine Of brutal husband. By the
way, did you hear that Juana is very
Ill. and her husband went home drunk
the other night ard kicked her and
knocked her down? The poor woman
was frightened so it threw her into
brain fever and the doctor"
"Its lie! It's lie!" scresmed Mar
tinez, as he sprang forward and with a
madman's grip seized the throat of
the speaker. A desperate struggle took
place between them. The attack was
eo.sudden that the man was thrown off
his guard for second, but being much
more powerful physically than Marti-
nez, he was soon able to defend him
self. Martinez was determined to make
an end Of his supposed enemy. and
before anyone had time to realize the
situation, he had drawn stiletto. The
stranger saw this movement in time to
parry the stroke and with a desperate
effort, he wrenched the weapon from
the hands of the madman and buried
it to the hilt in his heart All who saw
the afray said it was justitiable kill
ing on the part Of the stranger and he
was acquitted without delay.
For weeks poor Juana lowered be-.
tween life and death, unconscious of
her SORROWS or surroundings or the
dreadful fate of her husband. Finally
death b8do life adieu for the presenf.