The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1896-02-27

80 lax uIlConSCiOUSly CFNDSSeu nIuAScII ~
the font and made the genutlexion, his
eyes sought for her--this girl who had
called him a. coward. vi He saw her u t
last; she had knclt, near the aisle, in
u food Of bright, red sunlight that
streamed through a loaded window.
Her loose, gray robe had been laid
aside, and the mass of her hair had q
tinge of bronze, us the colored rays fell
upon it. Antonio had no thought Of
the mass. He hardly heard the grand
singing. ,4. ..... -..-s,.
Presently nervous hand touched his
shoulder, and rough voice whispered:
.'Was it to see them kill the bull-thc
fine, black bull of Sensuntepec--tf:at
YOU come down to the city? You were
wise not to answer the public challenge.
T have seen him, and I-even I. w:'o
have given many n bull the sword
thrust-do not like the look of this fell
low" ~-' .
at is 200 pesetas," Antonio answered,
Ebsently.
''And would earn them, Antonio, IN
spite of my broken wrist-;ns only TO
gain the glory. But n new EspaGa has
challenged-one whom they say is new
to the,redondel.' Then he added, with
some: asperity: Your chance would
have been quite -. good as his-aud
think-2o0. ,pesetas! Had you not
lacked the courage!"
a Antonio did not resent the speech.
He merely answered, quietly: You,
too, then, think lacked courage. T;,at
it was a lying reason gave to Lola. cs
excuse for refusing the challenged"
:Hartlly u lie, Antonio. Igive not the
lie save fer reason. 1t is more that yodr
life has been of the sheep-t}sat you,
lave not the nature to battle and kill
Antonio made no reply. He was liv~
ing again that night on the hills when,
wakened from sleep by his lambs load
beating, he had seized his 1nachete,
had rushed to the I'D, and had s;aic 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 Lolo had called hin,
coward, and how her father now sn:d
he lacked courage. Her father. +hc
famous matador, who had broken his
wrist in the last Pascua fight. and yet
managed to kill his victim!
The garrulous old man had continued
to whisper. What WAS it he had been
saying?
60 is a fortu,c: And you could
have married my Lola
Antonio turned and laid his hand
:1mpulsively on the old mans arm. 1T
<; enough for now. senior. You win at
tend 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 maze of crooked
streets, between the brown-tilcd dwell
ings, and presently emerged at another
square, the famous Plaza de Toros. 1t
was inclosed by Il high adobe wall, on
whose top was q thick growth of cactus.
He did not approach the main entrance,
which n merry crowd was besicging,
but sought small door OH the eastern
side, at which he knocked nervously. =
The guard within called out, gruftiy:
''Quien?''
''Antonio Gomez
"Welcomc, Antonio Gomez" =
The burly guard eyed the youths
1.-the figure, as IL dealer might take
notes of the good points Of a horse, and
nodded in grave approval; "You would
make a brave inatador: my son, if yol,
had first the much-needed practice. As
it is-well, it may be. perhaps-,f Toro
Negro will let YOU.
He led the way to IN inner room,
which he placed at Antonio's disposal,
and re,erently laid out the richly col
ored sash, the small red flag and the
short sword, sharp as a razor, that COM
prised the matador's equipment. An
tonic took up the light weapon, bull
anced and swung it back anil forth, ran
his fingers along it's keen edge, and re-
placed it on the table.
Again the guard smiled and nodded.
when all is ready I will call you.
scnor," he said, as he left the apart
ncIlt.
Antonio could hear the tramping of
hoofs, as the picadores mounted, and
the music of the band came to him
family, through the thick walls, rs it
played the strains of familiar song-a
favorite song of Lola's: =
Gayly the flags are Haunting.
List how the horses neigh:
An envious crowd greet the riders proud,
AS they mark for Toro the way.
Then a trumpet blast, loud and haunting,
Echoes from hill to hill;
The broad gates swing and into the ring
Bursts TOro to wreak his will.
Tho chulos play for their honors:
They f1uttcr sclrfs in his eyes,
They prick his rough hide, and his anger
deride,
AS to toss them he blindly tries.
Then the plaza is hushed and GREATNESS,
The Toreadores give way.
The brave Ma tabor looks the plaza DER.
And, singly, awaits the fray.
The bull cores the ground in his fury.
And bellows with rage and hate
AS he charges his foe, but a flashing blow
Ends Toro, and ends the fete.'
How stirringly Lola had sung it that