The times., 1897-03-14

the unseclnly hour kept 10y the spiritual
pastor OF a flock as meek and gentle
the white herds in the sheepfolds. The
good priest was alone, be sat with DO wed
head beside d table and pressed his hands
against .iIs brow. There was look OF
suffering upon his handsome, Clean-shaven
face; his eyes, which had ever looked
with gcnueness upon his people, were
now wide and glaring; he was as one i'll
unto death. But Padre Ramon suffered
physical alHent; he was Ill mentally anu
SICK at heart Nature had no herb; the
alchemist 10 drug 10 calm his troubled mind
or stop the ache within his breast,
Manuel SaiazaT (that was Padre Ramon's
name was bonn for the world; fate gave
him TO the church. He had all the physical
graces and manly accomplishments that
excite tie admiration and win the love OF
women. His was a strong, passionate ma
tuue, but the fires of his blood Were held
IN check by the cool currents of his mind.
Twenty years had passed since Manuel
salazsr had presented himself to the pro
yincial ana craved admittance to the So
ciety Of Jesus: during those twenty years
LoyoIa had no more devoted disciple.
ManueTs deisTe to he a Jesuit was not the
that he l. tght 10y life service to tie church
and the holy order redeem himself from an
existence which fate had darkened and
Baddened.
When youth OF eighteen he was be-
trothed 10 Aicaria de Vargas, whose
fathers large estate was adjacent 10 that
or Manuel's father, in Southern New Mex
loo. She was in every respect worthy to
culture and together with an only brother
two years her senior would inherit the
acres and vast herds of Don Antonio de
Vargas. Alcaraia's life had been lived
outside OF towns and cities, SO that her
purity had not been tarnished, nor her
simplicity lessened by contact with aggre-
gated humanity. Her ancestry dated back
TO the Conquest, and in her veins flowed
the sdngre aZul Of CASTLE.
The Salazars had nought OF which to
be ashamed; their blood, also, was blue
and their wealth great Don Diego Sal
azar looked forward with pride to the
union that was To link his honored family
name with the ancient one OF de Vargas,
while Don Antonio regarded Manuel as
the most eligible OF sons-in-law. The mar
riage was never celebrated.
one evening week previous to the
date set for the wedding, Manuel ac-
companied by Enrique de Vargas, Al
Caria'S brother, rode TO the town near
10y 30 complete some arrangements for
the approaching festivities. They sep
aTated early in the evening, making an
agreement to meet at 10 O'Clock IN the
plaza, where they had left their horses
Enrique was net there at the appointed
time. He had many friends in the town,
and Manuel took il for granted that he
had been Unavoidably detained by some
OF them. After waiting nearly an hour,
Manuel went in search of his tardy COM
panion. To all of his inquiries there was
the same answer; no one had seen Enrique
since early in the evening when he had
ridden into town.
NanuerS worst fears We're realized. 1t
was midnight when he found Enrique
IN gaming house The youthful scion of
the house OF De Vargas had the seat of
honor, opposite the dealer, While smaller
players crowded around him. There was
a scowI on Enuque's flushed face as he
placed his money on queen, the opposing
card being a jack. The monte dealer be-
pan to slowly draw the cards one 10y one
from the pack in his hands. Enrique called
out each card as it fell upon the table;
his voice was thick but defiant. It was
at ONCE apparent to Manuel that Enrique
Was drunk, and in an ugly mood; he had
been losing. and was eXasperated almost
TO madness.
Jack" called the dealer, showing the
card. ard taking the money Enrique had
staked
''Show me the queen" cried Enrique
angrily, as he arose and pushed back
several OF the players on either hand
''There was a queen in the first layout
and it wen; now show me the other one"
Does the senor think" began the
gambler. hut Enrique cut him short
Never mind what j think, show me
the queen" said Enrique His eyes
elittered with rage and his attitude was
menacing.