Evening journal., 1899-07-06

startling suddenness. Her large, ques-
tioning eyes followed him, and he
paused, saying: what must be done
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.
1t might have been ten minutes be-
fore Saliva appesred again, pale and de-
termined. He spoke fast and low.
The captain general has been 10 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 win fall Immediately before sun
set and-then-the darkness will swal-
low you" she whispered.
In vain were the senora's entreaties.
With a gentle tenderness he led her
back 10 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 unaceount-
able impulse she held out her hand TO
him. He grasped it with suddeA
fierceness, but into the fire of his eyes
there stole 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 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 de-
Ray. Here she stood irresolute. The
sun was quite low, and the streets were
somewhat deserted. Most of tn,
houses also were empty, the inhab
itants having left the capital Marcelll
hurried on.
Suddenly, upon turning another cor
ner, she saw but n single man few
steps ahead. Is was Saliva. just theI
he stopped; and, lest he should discover
her, Marcellh retreated into an opel
door. where she could observe his move
ments unseen.
Her ear caught the sound Of horse
hoofs in the distance. At the same tim
she saw Mariana also disappear fithil
the nearest doorway. Not soul re
NAMED in the street. The rider mean
II while was approaching. Marcella COY
cred her face with her hands an
listened to the horses feet coming near
er-nearer. and n tremor ran throug
her frame. 1T is Blanco, and yonder-
Mariana is--waiting," was the on
clear thought that ran through he
= mind. How was 1t all to end? Wit
Moro Castle or a wedding-day? And he
feverish brain pictured Mariana ami
the terrible night and solitude Of II
dungeon. From its depths his eye
seem to flash at her with az ominoI
3 fire and a look-not OF accusation-bl
4 OF scorn and mockery.
She shuddered. She lifted her eye
and took a step forward, only 70 ia
back against the wall IN terrified S
r lence. She stared wildly at the hors
man directly opposite her. She wante
TO cry out, to move-rush at the rid,
and stop him in his path; but h'
tongue failed her, and her feet refuse
to go.
The captain general rode on in quit
unconcern. His brow was thoughtiu
His eyes were bent upon the groun
once he looked up and, as II aware {
the lateness of the hour, gently urge
his horse TO a faster pace.
!. snow he has passed him. lash'
through Marcella's mind. She vei
tured out of her hiding-plaoe to kes
Mariana in view. She saw him leanir
q against the doorpost not far away, b
eyes turned upon Blanco a few stel
e past him.
With heart wildly beating she waite
r. for Salva's next move in an agony
= suspense. Her eyes dilated as she sa
e him raise his gun. His right hand
how she watched it-seemed 70 becon
IS fixed at a certain point. Now-nowl
e Like noiseless whirlwind 81
n rushed down TO the silent man. wi
l. all her force she caught his arm--a sh
IS an outcry-the galloping Of hors'
D. feet-and two dark figures fled on in
D. the blackness Of night; for the sun W
set. Marcella gasped. Her boz
y, trembled violently. But for Mariana
arm she would have sunk TO the groun
H. and he stopped, holding her close. S
ia felt the wild throbbing Of his hea
against her own, and, in a reaction
feeling, she buried her head upon
,e shoulder and burst into tears. Perha
it was his consciousness Of possil
Pr danger which prompted him TO pre-
ST her head close TO him that her SC
m might be smothered.
er Mariana. Mariana, am so glad" s
Of whispered.
II Because the charge went into
air?" he whispered back. And WI
,l,,,,t ,-,,,, vanc.ea ce ?"