The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-11-03

At Acapulco there are no Rafaelas.
You think not2 Well, you shall see"
Il care not where I 60" said Caster
man. glOOmily. Then he Strengthened
himself and rose as Estrada entered
with his companion.
Captain Castro is kind, he said.
I come under protest" replied Cap
tain Castro. Il do not approve Ct cold
FLOODED murder.
AS Lieutenant Estrada has said. the
chances are equal" said Casterman,
Simply.
Then let us waste no time" cried
Estrada, hercely.
Captain Martinez produced his pis-
tolls
You observe that they are alike in
appearance, gentlemen" he said.
He moved back the table TO the wall
while Captain Castro examined the pis-
tolls Then the two withdrew with d
candle to the further end Of the room
TO prepare the messenger of fate.
Casternan and Estrada faced each
other The black eyes Of the Span
lard flashed with fierce hatred as he
scOwled on his opponent and his fea-
lures twitched with the intensity of
his feelings, The American. by a re-
vulsion from the black emotions that
had oppressed him. was cool and smil-
ing. The bitterness Of death seemed
TO have passed him, and he was calm,
even huoyant.
Lieutenant Estrada" he said, eff I
am the one to fan, I trust you to carry
my message to Rafaela. 1 love her,
and her only. 1 would give this TO no
one else"
'senor." said Estrada, in hoarse
depreciation. Gould I carry such a
message-with your blood on my
hands,"
1T IS in fair fight"
Would she believe ft?'
'If I send the message2 Yes"
But, senior, consider her grief Now
you are but a dream. At that you viii
become a reality-the frame in which
to embody her fancies-and in a shad-
ow." He made a gesture of supplica
ton
It Is the last request Of man who
viii be dead if the time comes to fulfI
it said Casterman, with a sal smile.
Think you. senior. Do I not suffer at
the thought that I must leave her2 ]
am to die. 7 viii carry to the shadow
the picture that you have painted for
me-that there Is one behind who will
mourn for me- and hold me enshrined
in her fancy"
Estrada shook as with an ague at
the charge laid upon him. but on his
faith he could not refuse it.
said
eff owed the debt YOU say. ]
should have paid It by then" said Cas-
ternan, passiOnately. But do as YOU
please She will know what to be-
lieve."
And while Estrada was still shaking
with the Injunction laid upon him. the
seconds returned. Captain Martinez
presented the pistols with a handker-
chief Of silk thrown over them. and
Captain Castro held the two candles.
After you, Lieutenant Estrada"
said Casterman. with a bow.
MY thanks. senior" And Estrada
stepping forward, thrust his hand be-
meath the cloth and brought forth a
pistol. Captain Martinez handed the
other to Casterman.
Nov. gentlemen" he said stretch
ing the handkerchief and Offering an
end to each.
The two rivals faced each Their. the
left hand grasping the cloti..
Aim. gentlemen" said Captain Mar
tiuez, and when Captain Castro gives
the word you are at liberty to FIRE"
CasteTman smiled across the hand
kerchief at the pistol that covered his
heart Estrada's eyes glowed fierce
with excitement. but his hand was as
firm as that OF his opponent.
Are you ready, gentlemen came
the voice Of Captain Castro. The can
dies shook in his hand and his voice
trembled-
zone. two. three-freu'
AZ the word there was single click
Casterman lowered his pistol to hi:
side. but kept his grasp on the hand
kerchief. Estrada's pistol was still lev
eled at his breast and the lightning oi
tempestuOus joy flashed in Estrada'S
eyes.
Lieutenant Estrada" said Caster
man. with smile. the fates have de
cided lu yoUr favor. You have the
message Of a dying man." And HI
looked at Estrada as though It were
but a simple game Of sport.
The candles wavered in Captain Cas-
tTo's hands, and Captain Martinez fel
his breath come in gasps.
Estrada looked with fierce intentnes'
at Lis adversary, as though with hi!
ga1e he would penetrate to his soul
and thus they stood for what the on
lockers thought an eternity.
Then Estrada with a sudden move
ment, raised his pistol and fired i
through the roof
Senior Casterman," he cried. ''yOl
are too brave a man to have cheated
at cards. I return you your life will
my apologies"
with all that it implies" asked
C8stcrman. with a smile, still graspins
the handkerchief.
you may carry your own message,
said Estrada. with a bow "The fam
fly VIII be houored-'
lC,oovriebt 1q01 nv " P Hearst1
cnnnr-. q 80 En.uhRn