The record-union., 1896-11-29

io ITieHuS-yeS, she haQ One-tne goou
Padre Miguel. Drawing her shawl
about little Eduardo she fastened to
the old church and soon brought the
holy father to her mothers bedside. But
he shook his head when he saw her. He
knew her time had come. She grew
weaker and weaker, and as the end
approached she became conscious of her
surroundings.
'Concha, mio," said she, your father
calls me hence. Be good to little Ed
ouardo, and should you ever see my
little Ramon give him my blessing"
She made peace with her God and
expired shortly afterwards, leaving
true friend.
For months she struggled on bravely
and devoted herself to her little brother.
Each day he became less trouble to her
and as she succeeded in disposing of
her vegetables, she began to be more
hopeful of the future.
About six months later young, stall
wart MeXicap, Lorenzo Pineda, came
to the market-place with vast assort-
ment of birds in small willow cages and
established himself near Concha's UNI
brella. He did a thriving business, and
of kindness for her. Every month or SO
ne would leave the city to replenish his
stock. At first Concha did not notice
him much, but he became such COM
pany for her that she missed him when
he was gone, and found that he was
more than friend to her-that sine re-
ally loved him. Often he would carry
Concha's things home for her. and to-
get her fhaV IA oS
happy in one another's company. Be
fore long he had proposed and in due
time they We're married by Padre Mig
presided, and where Concha had often
knelt offering up prayer to the Virgin
In behalf of her dead mother.
Lorenzo shortly afterwards obtained
a position as foreman of a banana and
coffee plantation across the Panuco,
and Concha gave up her little stand
in the market-place. Her happiness
was complete Every night about s he
crossed the river and spent his nights
at home. He proved himself to be all
she could have wished for. He adored
her and treated little Edouardo as his
own child. No stone was left unturned
to make her happiness complete. Six
months Of this blissful existence passed
without cloud to dim the horizon of
their happiness. They made the trip
to the City of Mexico, where Concha
was welcomed by his family. This was
her first visit outside of Tampico and it
was rare treat.
One evening Lorenzo finished his
work unusually early and decided to
surprise his wife by his unexpected re-
| f11r He briefly fhrnI,erh
avenue of broad-leafed bananas to the
landing place on the river, and spring
ing lightly into his boat, pushed from
the shore The air was soft and balmy
and the sky was filled with scintillating
stars. AS he bent Justify to his oars
and looked toward the yellow lights of
Tampico he could not help thinking Of
his dear Concha and the happiness he
had enjoyed since he had set foot on
this spot. He soon reached the river
bank and pulling his boat up beyond
the water, which sluggishly licked the
beach, he started for home.
He went through the~back entrance,
|expecting to find his wife in the kitchen,
but on entering he heard voices on the
front veranda and listened. Between
the familiar tones of Concha's voice
he heard the deep bass of a man. The
voice was a strange one. Who was
he? What was he doing there? These
We're his first thoughts. Then thought
flashed through his brain which made
him tremble. Could it be possible that
she was false to him and that this was
a secret lover. He softly drew nearer
and tried to catch what they We're say
ing.
Yes" said Concha, "Edwardo is the
perfect image of you"
Lorenzo was dumfounded. Could it
be that little Edwardo was the child OF
his wife, Concha, and that man? A
thousand confusing theories forced
themselves into his brain, and when the
man on the veranda picked up the little
fellow and caressed him, Lorenzo lost
all control of himself. He wanted to
cry out, but he managed to keep quiet,
and certain now that he was a rival,
he retreated into the kitchen, and seiz-
ing his rife from a shelf, loaded it and
again took up his place behind a shut
ter where he could hear ALL Presently
he heard the man say:
How surprised he will be when he
learns all. You must leave this place,
SOii1iet, anu tOIlie Will Ile.
This was more than Lorenzo could
stand. So they contemplated flying,
did they? And yet in all her falsity he
loved Concha still Why had he al
lowed her to be alone so much. She
was not to blame. 1t was the fault of
the man who dared come between him
and happiness.
Mechanically he drew his rifle to his
elbow, resting it on the shutter and
taking deliberate aim. There was a
sharp click and the man on the veran-
da sprung into the air and fell forward
to the ground.
Lorenzo rushed forward and graspe.l
Concha by the arm, pushing little
Edouardo roughly aside
so you will fly with him, will you?
Well, I have sent him to place where
you can never follow"
Concha was SO overcome that she was
unable to speak and seemed rooted to
the spot. Her silence only enraged her
husband the more. He advanced to-
ward the fallen man and cried: Upon
my soul, it is an Americana" at the
same time showing his disgust by kick
ing the body on it's back and peerinc
into the white twitching features of
his victim.
Concha pushed aside her husband ard
amid burst of tears moaned: 'Madre
de Dios. Lorenzo, you have killed my
brother
Your brother?" he repeated.
Yes. Ramon. my brother, who re-
turned to-day from the United States"
She had hardly uttered this when she
became hysterical and fell upon her
bleeding brother
For a moment Lorenzo tried to soothe