The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-12-09

fiesta, l was required. as matter OF
course, to dance with his daughter
Julietta, pretty, modest little
maiden, who pleased me so we'll that
I devoted myself to her during the
whole evening. In fact, ] was begin
ming to weary of the tempestuous hui
mors Of La Tarantola, and though L
saw her glowering ferociously at me
from the ring of spectators outside OF
the dancing space, l was careful to
keep at safe distance from her.
1t was after midnight when bade
farewell to the jefe and his pretty
daughter, and returned to my hut,
whlch was but ten minutes walk dis
tsnt. l closed and fastened my door,
and, as was my habit, lighted a candle
and inspected the room closely, Il
necessary precaution in q region where
all sorts of venomous reptiles and in
sects are much more intrusive than
welcome.
Having ousted a scorpion and CEN
tipede or two, undressed and went to
bed, leaving the shutter of my single
unglazed window open for air.
At the head of my bed, within reach
of my hand, had constructed sort
of toilet table, upon which kept my
comb and brush, my wash basin and a
few odds and ends, such as IL bottle of
perfume-I have always been very
fond of perfumes-a book or two, my
revolver, matches and tho like. You
will understand, presently, why l am
thus particular to mention this table.
1t must have been toward 2 o'clock
in the morning when l was awakened
by some one calling my name. arose
upon my elbow and stared sleepily to-
ward the open window, through which
the moon was pouring a flood OF
tropic splendor. Outlined against the
brilliant square of sky framed by the
easement were the head and shoulders
of human being-a woman.
"Who are you?" 1 exclaimed.
"WhRt do you wantP"
"Senor Carlos" reptile voice,
hoarse and tremulous with passion,
"I am Nanita Majas, and have come
to say something to you"
cat this time of night Well, what
is it?"
"You have insulted me-" said the
girl, in the same cultural tones. "You
have put shame upon me-"
"Bother |" calculated. "Go home
aud go to sleep. In the morning you
will think better of it. You oughtn't
to be here anyway, you know. Co.
there's good girl"
"No, 1 will not CO." returned
Nanita, fiercely. "What do care
what people say of me? What do they
say already? Your American lover
has discarded you. He dances the
whole fiesta with Julietta. He has
forgotten you. Shall bear sucl
taunts? Shall l not have my re
venge?"
"Listen to me, Nanita." I said
seriously. "In the first place, wa
never your lover, and never pretended
to be. liked your style of dancing
and you were satisfied with mine
That is all there was to it. 1 don
see what you have to complain of if
chose to dance with another girl.
"Nothing to complain OFF," he,
voice rose to a shrek. "Did no
believe that you would marry me anC
take me to your home in the grea
Northern city, dress me in fine cloth
ing, give me many servants, and {
carriage to ride in?"
81 cannot help it if you have in
dulged in such foolish notions"
said, beginning to lose patience witt
the girl. al certainly never gave yol
the slightest reason in word or. act
Now, if you have any sense or tde
cency left, you will drop this nonsens'
and go home at once,
"Then you will not marry me?'
Her voice sank to its former low, gut
tural tone.
Certainly not" replied prompt
ly. ''If l had ever entertained sucl
an absurd idea, your actions to-nigh
} would have settled the matter"
, "You will marry JuliettaP" Th
voice sank still lower.
SIN preference to you, at least"
retorted, angrily.
"You will never do it," she hisseu
between her set teeth, "for tomorrow
you will be dead. See?"
| She held up a small object so tina
the moonlight fell upon it, and rec
: ognized one of those tiny wicker cage
, in which the cucuyo, or fire beetle,
D trapped. There was no cucuyo in
now, but black object with spread
! ing legs that struggled violently in it
prison.
"Do you know what IT isP" sh
asked, 81 will tell YOU. 1t is tn
= leapIng tarantula. You have seen me
die of its bite. You know how the
die. leave him TO execute my ven
r geanee."
I As she spoke she shook the cage il
- side the widow, and heard somethin
= drop upon the floor. In the space c
e moonlight l saw the great spide
f., lnmped together near the wall. The
4 the shutter was banged to; there wa
Q peal of shrill, derisive laughter out
: side, a sound of swiftly retreatini
: footsteps and 1 was left alone in darA
ness with the tarantula.
4 In my first furry of terror
I stretched out my hand to find a mattel
with the result of overturning m
table with crash upon the floor. Ut
} terly unnerved, fell back upon tn
> pillow, and lay for somo minutes try
I ing to contemplate my position wit
t some degree OF calmness.
? By those unacquAinted with th
habits of the tarantula my panic ma
! seem cowardly. But, as Hanita ha
= intimated, l knew the creature.