The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-12-19

But after time his handsome face impressed her;
she told him she would marry him if he would kill
bull in the ring at to-days But hush! she
is, standing near that column.
She took her seat among the common people,
whom she entirely ignored, and drew out great fan
of black lace, which she opened and closed leaning
back with weary look in her half-shut eyes.
1t was time the bullfght commenced. gazed
round the ring. Behind and around the dusty
crowd, among which passed the sellers of with
their shrin cry Of Aqua, fresca." and the
doris of biscuits and nuts.
Four of the matadors were professionals; the fifth
was Sebastian Pale in his scarlet and gold costume.
but dignied and graceful, he approached admin
tstrator's box before which he bowed. Then he
close to where sitting and bowed to Juanita
herself, who acknowledged his scarce per-
ceptoe sign OF recognition over the top OF her black
lace fan
A gate is opened in the arena. With roar, and
shout from the people, the bull rushes dark
ened cell into the ring He him; for mo-
ment he paws the ground, then led by the moving
cloak of of the matadors he charges-but his
horns touch nothing solid than the crimson
cloak. For moment "Toro' stands if stupe6ed,
then espes large and safer bait, and with fearful
rush lifts and pcador air. hurting them
to the ground in a heap. The matadors quick,
however, and they call off the by waving their
cloaks and keep his attention fixed themselves. He
is good bull. The people delighted Bravo,
Toro!" they cry
Another horse falls dead, the third is wounded
and led out, the fourth killed But the spaniards
not satisfied in their love Of blood Mas cabalosi
Mas caballosl" Then the bugle sounds.
Two of the matadors step the side of the arena,
leaving
rflo. -Four times does the bull receive the sharp
forked points and four times does he miss his man.
Again the bggle blows Sebastian steps forward,
takes the sword and flag and marches the admin
istrator's box where he to kill the bun.
There is a deafening cheer he throws his hat
among the people until he returns vctoriousor dead
turn instinctivey toward Juanita- She is lean
ing back in her seat. slowly tanning herself her half
closed eyesscarcely conveying expression of in
terest.
Sebastian faces the bull the flag in his left hand,
the beasts steady q
rock
The bull charged. I drew quick breath; sebas-
tan gracefully, with the ease of practfced bull
fighter escaped the horns. cheer rings from the
crowd bringing sudden flush to his cheek
Again the bull charges, again and again. Each
time Sebastian unscathed, but yet he has had
of killing the bull He is facing it now slowly
he raises the sword-the point never trembles. For
second all is dust, the next I his manly
laid out full length in the sand of the
HE is killed. cry the people, "he is killed."
I gaze at Juanita The expression OF
that beautiful face has not altered to the least de-
gree
hated that womanl
A shout from the people! Sebastian has reisen
and is facing the bull once more. There silence
like death. Again his sword is raised, again all in
dust again form lies PROSTATE in the sand-but this
time it is the bull! Sebastian killed and at
stroke.
Sebastian approached the gobernador and bowed.
He is paler than but smile of victory lights
his lips. Then sword in hand, he turned approached
and faced Juanita- Her expression is the same as
There is smile of encouragement, scarcely
a sign of recognition; she plucks rose however,
the boquet at her breast and throws it to him
He stoops and picks it up and, with his eyes fixed
hers lifts it toward his observation-disclosures
to the ground and tramples it under foot
A deafening cheer rises from the crowd.
look for Juanita. She has left the ring.
Five minutes later. Sebastian passed through
the archway into the air, still in his scarlet and
gold, dagger was buried deep in his breast
Juanita do it and it the only time dur
ing the whole performance that saw her snila