Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-28

ing chairs, were resting after the fatigues
of the day. FauSto and her uncle had gone
out to the cafe The coast was clear: she
left the room, sped along the corridor and
found herself at the head of little stair
case leading to the garden. The Nelasco's
house was an old one, ard behind it lay a
large neglected garden, in which trees and
shrubs, growing in tangled confusion, had
in some parts, almost blocked up the wind
ing footpaths. On three sides 1t was sur
rounded by the walls of houses, painted in
fresco in the old Spanish fashion: on the
fourth, high wall separated it from the
back of the Zarzuela, or Opera Comique.
from which scraps and strains of music
foated, as the performance went on. To-
ward this end of the garden Manuela hur
lied. pushing aside the branches of the
shrubs. which almost blocked up the APP
Proach to an old door in the wall 1t was
evidently rarely used, for it's bolts were
rusty, and was so completely overgrown by
greenery as to be quite unnoticeable to any
one who was unaware of its existence
Manuela drew back the heavy bolts and
went out. She found herself in a little plot
of waste land. not more than dozen yards
square. lying between the back of the thea
ter and the garden wall. 1t led nowhere.
and no windows looked on it: more Sc
cluded spot for a secret meeting could not
be imagined. man was there already
leaning against the wall. masked and wrap
ped in a cloak. AS she appeared he turned
toward 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 would have done
Lext can never be known, for round the
angle of the theater appeared another man.
Manuela started back, speeches., against
the wall, as she recognized Ramon San
Miguel. Without casting a glance at her.
he advanced straight on the Black Mask
Draw. and defend yourself, if You do not
wish to be killed like dog" he Kissed be-
tween his teeth, and from beneath the folds
of his cloak flashed the point of 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
quickness, by one turn of his left arm had
guard, While with the other he drew his
long navajo from his belt. One or two
passes We're exchanged with the rapdity of
lightning, but the Black Mask had no
chance fir, m the first: he only sought to
parry the thrIsts of his enemy whereas
ments and he sank to the ground, trans
fixed by the rapier of San Miguel, and Man
ue,a. with a piercing shrek, flung herself
upon the lifeless body. The black mask
had fallen off. 1t vas the Espada, Guapito!
For an instant San Miguel stood with hor-
ror and grief painted on his face. looking at
the PROSTATE form at his feet: then he turn
ed and fled from the scene as if pursued by
a thousand demons
Mani ella sprang to her feet and looked
corner of the theater, whence he had ap-
parently watched the fight. and stood be-
fore her.
''Faustor
He was quiver!ng from head to foot:
iendish triumph CLEANED in his flashing
eyes. She needed no words to reveal the
truth to her. The tiger had sprung, his
prey lay before them.
'Maldto! 1t was you in your vile jeal-
ousy who brought Ramon here. Know,