Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1901-12-06


and rumor soon spread that Sanchez
rode in every night and openly visited
her at her house.
This was what Ruiz was waiting
for. and one evening the place was
surrounded and Sanchez taken pris-
oner. He was, of course, sentenced
to be shot.
"Antonina, apparently, thought NO
more of the matter. She appeared at
the theater on the following even
ing, and had never been more charm
ing. The story of her share in the
rebels capture got about, and she was
cheered whenever she was seen by the
loyalists. Ruiz was more infatuated
than ever, and was worse than helpless
in her hands.
"The day that Sanchez was to be ex-
ecuted Antonina demanded of Ruiz
that he should gain permission for
her to see her former lover alone. 1t
was not known what excuse she gave
for this seemingly strange request,
but, at any rate, 1t was granted her.
What took place at the interview was
never disclosed. mediately after it
was over Sanchez was marched into
the courtyard, placed with his face to
the wall and shot to death. He met his
fate with gallant indifference.
"Antonina watched him die, from
one of the windows, without sign Of
emotion, save narrowing of the eye
lids and slight compression of the
lips. She danced that night, but can
celed her engagement for the follow
ing week, saying she was going to leave
the city for rest.
"A few days later 1 happened to be
In one OF the shabbiest parts of town,
and there met a woman whose re.
semblance to the dancer was so strik-
ing that turned and looked after her
as she passed me. She went into a
miserable looking howell and, as l loi-
tered near, hoping to solve the
mystery, she came out again, and
walked swiftly by me. This time l
was convinced that it was ,Antonina.
Much puzzled at her appearance in
such place, I followed her, but soon
she disappeared down a narrow side
street, and being unfamiliar with that
part of the town, lost track of her.
Next day I was called away from
the city, and when returned / found
The social world in II state of eXpeo.
tation over a grand reception 10 be
given by Gen. Ruiz in honor of s,.ne
of The American officers. The chief
attraction was the announcement
that Antonina had been engaged to
dance for the entertainment of the
guests. 1 determined to accept my
Invitation, as the woman possessed
a great attraction for Inc. was
Present at the reception.
"rhe salas were crowded with a
brilliant assembly. Scores Of benufi.
ful women, and the handsome Span
ISL Officers in their snowy uniforms.
mingled with the more sober dress
OF our country, gave most pictur-
esque effect to the scene. Il was
nearly midnight when the dancer ar
rived. She had driven directly from
the theater, and was attired in a
most magnificent costume, while on
her breast glittered the Ruiz { ia
mond. AS she came into the ball
room, she was greeted VITA oravos
and was sliowered with flowers. She
paused II moment on the threshold,
and responded with a fains hail
hooking smile. Then slowly raising
her arms, she stepped forward. In
stantly the orchestra struck mp with
the passionate music of FL Sol, AMI
the guests drew away from the cen.
ter OF the room, leaving her standing
in blaze OF color and jewels alone
On the polished floor.
81 will not attempt to describe the
dance. We watched her with deer
drawn breaths, and dizzy brains, as
she wbirled herself from the lazy
languor OF the beginning to the mad
abandon at the end. Ruiz, unable {
contain lis emotions, caught up q
flower that had dropped from her
hair, and, unmindful of observers
kissed it. She saw the actor, and
with sidelong glance tore the scar
let scarf from her waist, and, still
dancing, threw it over his neck
Something cleaned in her hand and
| ,.>,x,o ,,et;r ~ xyorpo5 mn 10 ,n;ooh;, .
I stepped to Ruiz side. Antonint
stretched out her hand, AMI he'd m,
back and il ever / saw the devil lool
out from a woman's eyes, l saw i
shining then between her half cIoscc
Eds.
"Adios, companeros,' she said II
clear, ringing tones, L go to wal
for You in hell
"With swift motion she buried tn,
dagger, which had been concealed il
her hand, in her heart, and as III,
last strains of the music died ava,
size fell to the floor, the wicked smil
frozen on her mouth.
"Three weeks later, Gen. Ruiz an,
every one Of his subordinate officer
died of the most malignant kind c
smallpox. Antonina had searched
until she had found case, as we aft
erward discovered-had exposed San
chez sword belt to the infection, ali
thus carried the infection 10 Ruiz
gaining vengeance which few
brains could have evolved. She ha,
loved the man whose life she ha,
sold for jewel"
"Why did she take her lifeg' ques
toned Lester.
"That," answered Brown, twas
phase of her character which
found hard to understand, though
believe that she preferred death &
the loss of her charms, and kney
that she surely must have had tn
dread disease herself. To me IN