The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-27
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at supper, Dona Blanca snd Gloria, ne
clining, half asleep, In rocking chairs,
were resting after the fatigues of the
day. Fausto and her uncle had gone
out 10 the cafe. The coast was clear,
she left the room, sped along the cor,
ridor, and found herself at the head of
little staircase leading to the garden.
The Nelasco's house was an old one and
behind it lay a large neglected garden,
in which trees and shrubs growing in
tangled profusion had, in some parts,
almost blocked up the winding foot
paths. On three sides ii was surrounded
by the walls of houses painted in fresco
In the old Spanish fashion; on the forth.
a high wall separated it from the back
of the Zarzuela, or Opera Comique, from
which scraps and strains of music
floated, as the performance went on.
Towards this end of the garden Manuele
hurried, pushing aside the branches of
the shrubs, which almost blocked up the
approach to an old door in the wall. II
was evidently rarely used, for its bolts
were rusty, and was SO completely over
grown by greenery as to be quite un-
noticeable to anyone who was unaware
of it's existence. Manuela drew back
the heavy bolts and went out. She
found herself in little plot of waste
land, not more than a dozen yards
square, lying between the back of the
theater and the garden wall. 1t led no,
where, and no windows looked on it;
more secluded spot for secret meeting
could not be imagined. A man was
there already leaning against the wall,
masked and wrapped in cloak. AS she
appeared, he turned towards her. 1t
was the Black Mask of the Carnival.
He sprang forward, took both her
hands in his, and drawing her TO him,
embraced her. What they could have
done next can never be known, for
round the angle of the theater appeared
another man. Manuela started back
speechless against the wall, as she rec.
ognized Ramon San Miguel. Without
casting a glance at her, he advanced
straight on the Black Mask. ~
"Draw, and defend yourself, II you
do not wish TO be killed like dog" he
bassed between his teeth, and from be-
meath the folds of his cloak flashed the
point of a rapier.
"Ramon, Ramon! Stop, let me speak"
But she was too late. Before the
words were out of Manuela's mouth,
the Black Mask had sprung back, and
with marvellous quiclSness, by one turn
of his left arm, had wrapped his cloak
round ii to act as a guard, while with
the other he drew his long navajo from
his belt. One or two passes were ex.
changed with the rapidity of lightning,
but the Black Mask had no chance from,
the first; he only sought to parry the
thrusts of his enemy, whereas Ramon
sought his life blood. A few moments
fund he sank TO the ground transfxed
by the rapier of San Miguel, and Man,
iuela, with piercing shrek, flung her.
self upon the lifelcss body. The black
mask had fallen off. II was the Espada,
Guapitol
For an instant San Miguel stood with
horror and grief painted on his face,
looking at the prostrate form at his
feet; then he turned and fled from the
scene as II pursued by . thousand de-
mons.
Manueia sprang to her feet and looked
wildly round; a figure glided out from
the corner of the theater, whence he
had apparently watched the fight, and
stood before her.
"Faustoi"
He was quivering from head to foot;
a fiendish triumph CLEANED in his flash,
ing eyes. She needed no words to re-
veal the truth to her. The tiger had
sprung, his prey lay before them.
"Malditol It was you in your vilo
jealousy who brought Ramon here.
Know then that you are the murderer