The Monticellonian., 1899-06-16

sun will be down in an hour." l \ strange significance lurked in his last sentence which she caught on the | instant. For immediately after sunset in Havana, darkness comes with a startling suddenness. Her large, ques- tioning eyes followed him. and he paused, saying: What must be done may as we'll be done-to-day," and dis appeared.
 Marcella scarcely heard the re breaches of her mother, so intent was she upon her bitter meditation. Even | Mariana was forgotten for the moment. It was only Jose, her lost and dearly loved brother, who dwelt in her thoughts.
 | IL might have been ten minutes be- fore Salsa appeared again, pale and de termined. He spoke fast and low.
 The captain general has been to the 1 harbor without an escort. He is even now on his way to the palace. There fore time is precious. In half an hour the sun will be set
 You calculate finely. Moriano. Your shot will fall immediately before sun Stt iItl-Aut VIII SNs ali low you" she whispered. In vain were the senora's entreaties. With gentle tenderness he led her back to the sofa. Do not hold yourself responsible for this i'll any way, senora-nor anyone else. It is entirely my own will which decides the mat ter
 NareeIIo a stood the Ha0r a ha passed, and through some unaeeount- able impulse she held out her hand to him. He grasped it with q sndden fierceness, but into the fire of his eyes there stole a look which left her pale and trembling after he was gone.
 Mother" she whispered. her eyes wide and dark as night, what"
 Here she broke off and went into the adjoining room, feverish haste in all her movements. When she returned her whole form was enyeloped in sort Of dark tunie.
 Do not be anxious. mother. l will be back soon," she said, hHrriedly.
 Rapidly she walked along until she reached the corner of the Gale del Ray. Here she stood irresoIute. The
 
 sun was quite low. and the streets were somewhat deserted Most of the houses also were empty. the inhab itants having left the capital. Marceila hurried on-
 Suddenly, upon turning another cor ner, she saw but a single man a few steps ahead. lt was Salva. Just then he stopped; and. lest he should discover her. Marcella retreated into an open door. where she could observe his move ments unseen
 Her ear caught the sound of horses hoofs in the distance At the same time she saw Marianne also disappear within the nearest doorway Not soul re- mained in the street The rider mean while was approaching Marcella COW cred her face with her hands and listened to the horse E feet coming near er-nearer, and a tremor ran through her frame. Tt is Blaneo, aud yonder= Mariana is-waiting, Was the one clear thought that ram through her mind. How was it all to end2 With Moro Castle or.a wedding-dags And her feverish brain pictured Mariano amid the terrible night and solitude of the dungeon. From. it's depths his eyes seem to flash at her with an Ominous fire and d IooE-not of aeeusa tron-but of seern and moekefy.
 She shuddered She lifted her eyes and took step forward, only to fall back against the wall in territied si- lence She stared wildly at the horse man directly opposite her. She wanted to cry out. to move-rnsh at the rider and stop him in his path;. but her tongue failed her and her feet re1 ased to go.
 The captain general rode on iu quiet His brow was thoughtful. His eyes were bent upon the ground. Once he looked up and as if aware ot the lateness of the hour. gently rrged his horse to a faster pace.
 Now he has passed him. flashed through Marcella's mind. She ven tured out of her hiding-plnee co keep Mariana in view She saw him leaning against the doorpost not far away, his eyes turned upon Blaneo d few ps past him.
 With heart wildly bfa atiug she waited for Salva's next move in an agony of suspense. Her eyes dilated as she saw him raise his gum His right hand how she watched seemed to become fixed at a certain poimt- Now-now,
 Like noiseless whirrvfnd she rushed down to the silent man. With all her force she caught his arm a shot
 an outcry- the galtoping of horses feet-and two dark figures fled on into the blackness of night: for the sun was set. MareelIa gaspetl. Her body trembled violently. But for Mariano's arm she would have sunk to the ground. and he stopped. holding her close. She felt the wild throbbing of his heart against her own, and, in reaction of feeling. she buried her head upon his shoulder and Aurst into tears. Perhaps il was his consciousness of possible danger which prompted him to press her head close to him that her sobs might be smothered.
 Mariana, Mariana, am so glad" she whispered.
 "Because the charge went into the air?" he whispered back. And what about your vengeance?
 II do not want it, Mariana. because lecause 1 love you. l never knew it un- til-Do you forgive me even if | have played with your very life? Will you never look at -lke-that-a and love me still?n
 Even in the darkness he could dis | eern the anguish in her hot gaze. Mar -.lIn ..n.. hn aSsnred her II love ynn