Evening journal., 1899-08-28

in Havana, darkness comes with q
startling suddenpcss. Her lsirge, ques-
tiouing eyes sslnwcd him, and he
paused, saying: ''lNhat must be s.one
may as well be done-to-day." and dis.
appeared.
Marcella scarcely heard the re-
proaches Of her mother, so intent was
she upon her bitter meditation. Even
Mariana was forgotten for the moment.
1t was only Jose, her lost and dearly
loved brother, who dwelt in her
thoughts.
II might have been ten minutes be-
fore Saliva appesred again, pale and de-
termined. He spoke fast and low.
'The captain general has been to the
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
set and-then-the darkness win swJii
low YOU" she whispered.
In vain were the senora's entreat ties.
With a gentle tenderness he led her
back 20 the sofa. do not hold yourself
responsible for this in any way,
senora-nor anyone else. II is entirely
my own will which decides the mat
ter"
Marcella stood near the door as he
passed, and through some unaecount-
able impulse she held out her hand TO
him. He grasped it with n sudden
ferceness, 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 of and went into the
adjoining room, feverish haste ia all
her movements. When she returned her
whole form was enveloped in a sort Of
dark tunic.
do not be anxious, mother. 1 will
be back soon," she said, hurriedly.
Rapidly she walked along until she
reached the corner of the Gale del
Ray. Here she stood irresolute. 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. Mareella
hurried on.
Suddenly, upon turning another cor
ner, sho saw but a single man a few
steps ahead It was SALIVA. Just Llen
he stopped; and, lest he shosld discevel
her, Marcella retreeted into an opoI
door, where she could observe hislnove
ments unseen.
Her ear caught the sound of horses
/ hoofs IN the distance. AT the same time
she saw Mariana also disappear withiI
the nearest doorway. Not a soul re
NAMED in the street. The rider mean
while was approaching. Marcella GOV
cred her face with her hands and
kxtened to the horses feet soming near
er-nearer, and a tremor ran through
har frame. 1T Is Blanco, and yondor-
Mariana is-waiting," was the su
clear thought that rah through he
saind. How mas It ali to end? Wis
1loro Castle OF a wsdding-day? And he
feyerish brain pictured Mariana ami
the terrible night and solitude Of tn
ldRngson. Frosn its depths his Eye
SSssm 10 fash at ;ker vita an omi<spu
I 1ar6 aid a look--not Of aceusation-Nbt
of 'scorn and mociSery.
She shuddarcd. She lifted her eye
and took q step forward, only to fal
back against the wall in terrified 81
lence. She stared wildly at the horse
man directly opposite her. She wante
to cry out, to moye-rush az the ride
and stop him in his path; but he
tongue failed her, and her feet refuse
TO SO.
The captain general rode on In quie
unconcern. His brow was thoughtfu
His eyes were bent upon the GROUND
Once he looked up and, as if aware q
the lateness of the hour, gently urge
his horse to a faster pace.
"Now he has passed him." fiashe
through Marcella's mind. She ver
tured out of her hiding-place TO kee
Mariana in view. She saw him leanin
} against the doorpost not far away, hi
eyes turned upon Blanco few step
past him.
With heart wildly beating she waite
for Salva's next move IN an uBoh5
suspense. Her eyes dilated as she sa'
; him raise his gun. HIS right haRd-
how she watched it-seemed TO becom
fixed at a certain point. Now-nowl
Like n noiseless whirlwind si
rushed down to the silent man. Wit
2 all her force she caught his arm-a she
an outcry-the galloping Of horse
= feet-and two dark figures fed on int
p the blackness of night; for the sun wa
set. Marcella gasped. Her bod
> trembled violently. But for Mariana
arm she would have sunk TO the groun'
: and he stopped, holding her close. 81
4 felt the wild throbbing Of his hea'
against her own, and, in reaction
feeling, she buried her head upon b
e shoulder and burst into tears. Perhal
it was his consciousness Of possib
r danger which prompted him TO pro
t her head close TO him that her sol
n might be smothered.
Mariana, Mariana, am so glad" 81
j whispered.
because the charge went into Il
air?" he whispered back. "And VIII
d about your vengeaRce?"