Evening journal., 1899-08-03

paused, saying: What must be done
may as well be to-day" and dis
appeared.
Marcslla scarcely heard the re-
pronches Of her mother, so intent was
she upon her bitter modisatioz. Even
Mariana was forgotten for the1homent.
1t was only Jose, her lost and dearly
loved brother, who dwelt in her
thoughts.
1t might have been ten minutes be-
fore SALIVA appesred again, pale aAd do
teunined He spoke fast and low.
THE captain general has been TO the
harber without an eseort. He IL even
now on his way to the palace. There
fore-time is precious In half an hour
the sun viii BE set"
you calculate finely, Moriano. Your
shot win fall Immediately before ssn-
set and-then-the darkness win swal-
low YOU" she whispered.
In vain were the senora's entreaties.
With genus tenderness he led her
back 90 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"
Mnrcella stood near the door as he
/ passed, and through some unaccouni-
able impulse She held out her hand to
him. He grasped IL with sudden
forceness, but into the FIRE OF his eyes
there stole q 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 oil and went into the
adjoining room, feverish haste in an
her movements. When she returned her
whole form was enveloped in a sort Of
dark tunic.
"Do not be anxious, mother. ! will
be back soon,' she said, hurriedly.
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. Marcella
hurried on.
Suddenly, upon turning another cor
ner, sho saw but a single man a few
steps ahead. 1t was Saliva. just ther
he stopped; and, lest he should discover
her, Marcella retreated into an oper
door, where she could observe his move
mcnts unseen.
Her ear caught the sound OF horse'l
hoofs in the distance. At the same tim'
she saw Mariana also disappear within
the nearest doorway. Not a soul re
e mained IN the street. The rider mean
while was approaching. Marcella COY
: cred her face with her hands an'
listened to the horses feet coming near
nearer, and tremor ran through
her frame. at is Blanco, and yonder-
Mariana is-waiting," was the on
clear thought that ran through he
mind. How was IL oil 10 end3 Wit
Moro Castle or aweddlng-dsy? And he
feverish brain pictured Mariano ami
the terrible night and solitude of ia
dungeon. Froh its depths his oyo
seem TO flash at her with On omindu
ire and look-noto OF accuse tiou-'bu
Of soorn' and moekevy.
5f She shuddsrod. sho lifted her eye
: and took a stop forward, only 10 IA
back against the wall In terFiffod 3
lence. She stared wildly at the horse
man directly opposite her She wante
TO cry out, TO move-rush AZ the ride
and stop him in his path; but he
. tongue failed her, and her-feet refuse
TO 60.
The captain general rode on in quie
unconcern. Ills brow was thoughtfu
= HIS eyes were bent upon the GROUND
Once he looked up and, as If aware
y the lateness Of the hour, gently urge
his horse 10 q faster pace.
"Now be has passed him." fashe
+ through Marcella's uind. she vcI
T tsred out of her hkAng-Vte0o 70 beo
MariaDo in view. Slio sew him lcnnih
p against the doorpoKt Ros far eway, h
9 eTss s..<ned upon Blanco few Etep
past him.
e With heart wildly beating she waite
for salva's next move in an agony q
r suspense. Her eyes dilated as she sa'
c him raise his gun. HIS right hand
e how she watched it--seemed to becom
fxed at a certain point. Now-nowl
Like a noiseless whirlwind sh
C rushed down TO the silent man. Wit
"a all her force she caught his arm-a she
= IAN outcry-the galloping OF horse
s fcet-and two dark figures lcd on inl
p the blackness of night; Tor the sun W;
D. set. Marcella gasped. Her bod
trcmbled violently. But for Mariana
7, arm she would have sunk TO the groun
and he stopped, holding her close 81
De- felt the wild throhbing Of his hea
4 against her own, and, i'm a reaction
feeling. she buried her head upon h
shoulder and burst into tears. Perhal
e IL was his consciousness of possib
danger which prompted him TO pre-
IT her head close to him that her sol
81 might be smothercd.
n "Mariano, Mariana, am so glad 81
r whispered
IF Because the charge went into Il
IT air?' he whispered back. sand WIN
about your vengeaEce?"
ID 81 do not wantit. Mariana, because
is because 1 love you. never knew it III
til-Do you forgive me even if ha'
A