The record-union., 1897-10-31

Then the General addressing the old
farmer said: "IIburcio Chegaray,
here is Juan Araquil, who has the dot
of two thousand douros that you ex-
acted before giving your daughter to
him. That which is promised should
be paid. Do yol, consent to the mar
riage of Juan Araquil with your ehild?''
Old Chegaray responded in a hoarse
voice: Yes"
Juan Araqul, do you consent to take
for your wife Pepa Chegaray?"
Yes" said Juan in an ardent voice.
He put into this yes all his life. The
priest was waiting to bless them.
"Pepa Chegaray," continued Garrido.
turning to the young woman, do you
consent to take for your husband Juan
Araqul here PRESENT."
Pepa took two steps toward Juan,
lifted her beautiful black eyes upon him
and responded:
"No!''
In the crowd behind the soldiers there
was a great clamor and a terrible "Ah!"
The soldiers were motionless, but atten-
tive.
No" repeated the young girl, raising
her voice, Il swore to belong to no one
but you, and having sworn it I will
never be another's, but could not give
myself to a coward"
Juan Araquil, white and haggard,
stood looking at her stupefied.
In the distance, at the foot of the val
ley, could be heard, mounting, slowly
mounting, the mournful notes of a bell
weeping for the dead. The Carlists were
ringing the prayers Of the mourners,
for the poison had done its work.
When the distant bells had stopped
their knell, a silence fell upon the crowd
as though the wind had brought over
their heads the news that all was fin
ished yonder.
''Zucarraga is dead said old Garrido.
Araquil looked at Pepa with alteration,
as though supplicating her to read in
him that it was done for her.
1T was for you! 1t was for you!"
he cried, wildly.
Pepa turned away her head.
The General said coldly to Juan,
"Araquil what do you wish done with
your two thousand douros?"
'The money!" He understood. "Give
it to the poor. I do not want even a
cross in the cemetery and then, point
ing to the squad that had escorted him
to the square:
"That is for me, is it not?"
"Araquil, one does not kill a soldier
by poison" responded Garrido.
Then Juan Araquil made the sign of
the cross and knelt before the priest,
saying aloud: God have mercy on
mel" The bells of Hermann were toIling
as those Of Santa Barbara had tolled a
few moments before.
Juan arose, took from his pocket a Gig
arctic, the cigarette of -Zuccarraga, and
asked a match of the Sergeant. When
it was lighted he put it to his lips-sa-
luted Pepa with a last look-who invol-
UNFAIRLY made a movement toward him
and then remained motionless-raised
his head, and with sad smile disap-
peared, surrounded by soldiers to whom
GarIido made a sign.
Pepa turned, trying to see him, to see
him once again, but there was no sign
of him except little blue smoke, which
mounted above the circle of flashing
bayonets in the clear air.
Thesinging and prayers commenced in
the church. At the other end of the
walls of the building Juan Araquil was
inhaling the last puffs of his cigarette.
Then Pepa, in the silence of death
which reigned over the square, heard a
command and the sound of guns chang
ing position, and then the word ''fre!"
came to her
She fell on her knees in anguish and
began aloud, Our Father, who art in
Heaven
Her prayer was brusquely cut by
discharge of musketry, and Juan Ara
quill fell forward with his breast stained
with blood.-Albany Evening Journal.