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

eyes sought for her--this girl who had
called HIM a coward. "a He saw her at
last; she had knclt, near the aisle, i'll
u food of bright, red sunlight that
strealned through a loaded window.
Her loose, gray robe had been laid AID
aside, and the mass of her hair had q
tinge of bronze, as the colored rays fell
upon it. Antonio had no thought Of
the mass. He hardly heard the grand
singing. ...a, ~ ~. D..
Presently a nervous hand touched his
shoulder, and a rough voice whisp,red:
"Was it to see them. kill the bull-thc
fine, black bull of Sensuntepec-tEat
you came down to the city? You were
wise not to answer the public challenge.
7 have seen him, and I-even I. w:'o
have given many bull the sword
thrust-do not like the look of this fell
low"
at is 200 pesetas," Antonio answered,
Ebsently.
'And I would earn them, Antonio, IN
spite of my broken wrist-ifs only TO
gain the glory. But Il new Espat!a shas
chal1enged-onew whom they say is new
to theredondel." Then he added, with
some: asperity: ''Your chance would
have been quite IS. good as hls-aud
think-2O0 pesetas! Had you not
lacked the courage!"
"a Antonio did not resent the speech.
He merely answered, quietly: ''Ycu,
too, then, think I lacked courage. That
it was a lying reason I gave to Lola. Gs
excuse for refusing the. challenger"
:Mar1ly "a lie, Antonio. Igive not the
lie save for reason. It is more that yoLr
life has been of The sheep-ttat you
lave not the nature to battle and kill
Antonio made no reply. He was Ev~
ing again that night on the hills when,
Weakened from sleep by his lambs load
bleating, he had seized his 1nachete,
had rushed to the Nd, and had s:aic the
mountain lion. The angry mark IN his
shoulder burned again. where the
and his olive cheeks burned, too, as he
thought of how Lolo had called him
coward, and how her father now sod
he lacked courage. Her father. the
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?
g. is aFfortule: And you cou'd
have married my Lola"
Antonio turned and laid his hand
:mpulsively on the old mans arm. III
IS enough for now. senior. You VIII 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-tiled dwell
ings, and presently emerged at another
square, the famous Plaza de Toros. 1t
was inclosed by a higl, adobe wall, on
whose topwasa q thick growth of cactus.
He did not approach the main entrance,
which merry crowd was besieging,
but sought small door Oh the eastern
side, ut which he knocked ncrvously.
The guard within called out, gruffy:
"Quien?''
"Antonio Gomez"
''Welcomc, Antonio Gomez" :
The bur1y guard eyed the youths
1.-the figure, as IL dealer might take
notes of the good points of horse, and
nodded in grave approval; "You would
make a brave snatador. my son, il you
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 nh inner room,
which he placed at Antonio's disposal,
and revercntly laid out the richly col
ored sash, the small red flag and the
short sword, sharp as n 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 it's keen edge, and re-
placed it on the table.
Again the guard smiled and nodded.
when all is ready will call you.
senior" he said, as he left the apart
nicnt.
Antonio could hear tho tranlping of
hoofs, as the picadores mounted, and
the music of the band came to him
AssIAtAts IAIOuSn tNc UulCh NdllSs us IL
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;
broad 8 - a II inf ~
Bursts To-o to wreak his will.
Tho chulos play for their honors:
They flutter scarfs 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 st1rringly Lola had sung it that
r,;oht ~, tho v,,o,uDtaini And when She