Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1896-04-17

the font and made the genutieNion, his
eyes sought for her-this girl who had
called him coward. He saw her at
last; she had knclt, near the aisle. III
food of bright, red sunlight that
strcamed through u loaded window.
Her loose, gray robe had been lald
aside, and the mass of her hair had a
tinge of bronze, as the cOlored rays fell
upon it. Antonio had no thought oil
the mass. he hardly heard the grand
singing.
Presently nervous hand touched his
shoulder, and rough voice whispcre'i:
WAS it to see them kill the bull--the
fine, black bull of Sensuntepec'-that
YOU came down to- the city: You were
wise not to answer the public challenge.
+ have seen him, and I-evcn l. W:'o
have given many n bull the sword
thrust-do not like the look Of this fcl-
low"
1T is 200 pesetas," Antonio answered,
sbsently.
And l would earn them, Antonio. m
spite of my broken wrist--if only to
gain the glory. But II new Espada has
challenged--on whom they say is new
to the redondel." Then he added, with
some aspcrity: 'Iour chance would
have been quite IS good as hls--and
think-200 pesetas! Had you not
| lacked the COURAGE"
Antonio did not resent the speech.
He merely answered, quietly: "Icu,
too, then. think lacked courage. That
it was II lying reason | gave to Lola. Is
excuse for refusing the challenged!
Hardly Il lie, Antonio. Igive not the
lie save fer reason. 1t is more TIA; yoIr
life has been of The shecp-tf.at YOU
lave not the nature to battle and xii.
Antonio made no reply. He was liv'
ing again that night OIL the hills when.
Weakened from sleep by his lambs load
bleatiug, he had seized his machete,
had rushed to the I'D. and had s.aic the
mountain lion. The angry mark "n his
shoulder burned again. where the
brute's strong claws had struck him,
and his olive cheeks burned, too. rs he
| thought of how Lolo 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 Fascua tight and yet
managed to kill his victim.
The garrulous old man had continued
to whisper What was it he had been
| saying:
e. is a fortune. And you could
| have married my Lola
Antonio turned and laid his hand
:mpulsively on the old mans arm. 1T
IS enough for now, senior. You wiz at
tend the fight with her? Then You VIII
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-tiled dwell
ings, and presently emerged at another
square, the famous Plaza de Toros. 1t
was Enclosed by u high adobe wall, OH
whose top was L thick grow tn OF cactus.
He did not approach the main entrance
which a merry crowd was besieging
but sosght small door OH the eastern
| side, at which he knocked reryously.
:
'Quien?'
Antonio Gomez"
'Welcomc, Antonio Gomez"
| The burly guard eyed the youths
1.-THE figure, AS dealer might take
notes of the good points of a horse. and
nodded i'll grave approval; You would
make brave inatador, my son, if you
had first the much-needed practice. As
it is-well. it may be, perhaps-if Toro
Negro will let you
! He led the way to ali inner room
which he placed at Antonio's disposal
and revcrently laid out the richly col
ored sash, the small rcd flag and the
short sword, sharp as a razor, that com.
prised the matador's equipment. An.
tonic took up the light weapon, bal
anced and swung it back and forth. ran
his fingers along its keen edge, and re.
placed it on the table.
Again the guard smiled and nodded
when all is ready L will call you
senor,' he said, as he left the apart
| T.cnt.
Antonio could hear the trampny OF
hoofs, as the picadorcs mounted, and
the music of the band came to hin,
family, through the thick walls, as i,
played the strains of familiar song-a
fa'orite song of Lola's: .-.,
! . Gayiy the flags are Haunting.
| List how the horses neigh;
An envious crowd greet the riders proud
| AS they mark for Toro the way
. Then trumpet blast. loud and haunting
| Echoes from hill to hill;
! The broad gates swing and into the ring
! Bursts Toco to wreak his will
. The chulos play for their lionors;
| They futter scarfs in his eyes.
| They prick his rough hide. and his ange,
| deride,
| AS to toss them he blindly tries.
| " Then the plaza is hushed and breath!css
| The Toreadores give way,
| The brave Matador 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 4 fla sh inl, blow
Ends TOro, and ends the fete."
How stirringiy Lola had sung it that
night Oh the mountain! And when she
lad finished she laid her puitar hesido