The times., 1897-03-14

Manuel made his way to the table and
placed one hand on Enrique's shoulder.
Enrique" lie be gan
You stand aside" commanded the en-
ragged youth; this is my affair." Then
turning to the gambler he almost shrieked,
'Show me that queen or I'll cut your
heart OUT
knife flashed in Enrique's right hand
The monte dealer threw the cards upon the
floor and grabbed revolver lying in
an open drawer Manuel sprang between
them and caught Enrique by the wrist as
the enraged youth made lunge at the
dealer.
Enrique. what are you doing? Listen TO
mei'' be said in an authoritative tone.
De Vargas face was black with passion.
Hc exerted his full strength and wrenched
himself free. He struck out viciOusly and
, the blow fell upon Manuel's neck. y little
stream OF blood tricked down the in
jured mans shirt front, while from
vein spouted a tiny crimson spray as
perfumed waters are forced from atomiZers
For the love Of God, Enrique, stop; it is
l, Manuel; seize him, some one,' he called,
as ne retreated before the infuriated youth,
who seemed bereft of all reason.
In the moment OF excitement the dealer
had slipped out through a side door; the
crowd fell back instead of closing in upon
Enrique; no one had either the courage TO
seize him or attempt TO check the assault
As Manuel retreated he placed a chair
between himself and his pursuer, but En-
rique flung 1t aside and advanced with
uplifted knife.
You cheat, you thief His voice was
choked with rage, and be gasped rather
than uttered the words.
'Are you mad, Enrique? Don't you see
that it is /, Manuel?'' cried the wounded
man. as he sought some avenue of escape
or some means of checking Enrique's muir
derous advance 4 small deal table was
near by, and Manuel placed himself on
the side OF it opposite his assailant. He saw
that rage and drink combined had madden
ed Enrique beyond the power OF reason. To
attempt TO disarm him without injury TO
oneOr both seemed Impossible, and Manuel's
only desire was to escape from the place
until Enrique should come TO his senses.
With this purpose in view he attempted to
circle around the table, expecting Enrique
Co follow him, but instead OF doing this I'm
rique with the supernatural strength born
of rage leaped over the table. Manuei's OILY
chance TO escape was gone; there was no
place for him TO retreat except to a corner
Of the long room.
Again he called to Enrique to stop and
there was a warming tone in his voice.
Back in the far end of the dimly ly-lighted
room, where the spectators could not
plainly see what took place, they clashed.
The encounter lasted but a moment and
this time it was Enrique who fell back.
There was gaping wound in his neck near
the shoulder blade and his left hand
was clasped to his side, indicating that he
had received a second wound. He clutched
at the deal table for support as he steadied
himself, Manuel passed him. Enrique's
expression had undergone a complete
change. his rage had reached its climax
in blows and reaction had set in. He was
calmer and seemed TO he dazed. He tossed
his knife backward over his head and it
fell sticking upright in the floor.
What IS the matter?'' he asked. What
have done? Did 1 strike you, Manuel?''
Across Manuel's right hand in addition
TO the wound in his neck, was streak of
red from which the blood flowed down
his fingers, mtngling with that of Enrique
on the blave Of his knife, and dripping
from the point.
The spectators nervously gathered around
them, and one undertook a brief expla-
nation.
Forgive me, brother" weakly gasped
Enrique He tried to extend bis hand, but
the effort was too great. He reeled and
would have fallen, but Manuel, dropping
his knife, caught him and let him down
gently to the floor
At the beginning Of the affray one of
the spectators ran for the sheriff. He
found that official in company of a young
physician, an American, and informed
them of what was taking place in the
saloon.
AS Manuel bent over Enrique the sheriff
and doctor entered the place.