The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-11-18


IN her hands.
"The day that Sanchez was to be ex.
ecuted Antonina dema nded of Ruiz
that he shouldSgain permission for
her to see her former lover alone. II
was not known what excuse she gave
for this seemingly strange request
but, at any rate. it was granted her
What took place at the interview was
never disclosed. lmme diately after it
was over hnchez was marched into
the courtyard, placed with his face to
the wall and shot to death. lie met his
fate with gallant Indifference.
"Antonina watched him die, from
one of the windows, without sign OF
emotion, save aparrowing of the eye
lids and, Sigh 4 compression of the
lips. She danced that night. but can
celed her engagement for the follow.
ing week. sayins.he was going to leave
the city for a rest.
"A few days later | happened to he
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 hel
as She passed me. She went into a
miserable looking hovel and, as ! loi.
tered near. hoping to solve the
mystery. she came out again, and
walked swiftly by me. This time
was convinced that it was Antonina
Much puzzled at her appearance in
such place. followed her, but soon
she disappeared down narrow side
street. and being unfamiliar with tha t
part of the town. lost track of her.
Next day | was called away from
the city. and when ] returned found
Tile :0cial world in !; state of eypcc.
'atlon over a grand reception 10 bs
given by Gen. Ruiz in honor of sore
OF BE American officers. The chief
extraction was the announcement
that Anton'na had been engaged to
dance for the entertainment Of the
guests. l determined to accept my
invita- on. as the woman posses seq
great attraction for me. was
present at the reception. S.
-"Fhe salas were crowded with n
brilliant assembly. Scores of baarfi.
ful "cmen, and the handsome span
iSl' 'f''cefs in their snowy uniforms.
mingled with the more sober dress
or OR country. gave a most pici,lr-
tsqm effect to. the scene. /. was
nearly midnight when the dancer az
rived. Size had driven directly from
the 'hcater, and was attired in 4
most magnificent costume. while on
her breast plittcred the Ruiz tiu-
nond. AS she came into the ball
ROOFS, She was greeted with nravos.
and was s.owered with fowers. She
paused a moment on the threshold
and RESPONDED with fain;. half
hooking smile. Then SLOWLY raising
her arms. she stepped forward. In
Js'an'lv the orchestra struck mp with
the passionate music OF FL Sol, ami
the guests drew away from The Gem
ter of the room. leaving her Standing
in u blaze OF color and jewels alone
en- the polished floor.
g! will not attempt to describe he
Gance. We watched her with deep
sdrawn hreaths, and dizzy brains, as
she "hirlcd herself from The lazy
lnngnor OF the beginning to the mad
abandon at the end. Ruiz. una BILE 1,
contain is emotions, caugh. up Il
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
some instinct warned me of mischief.
! stepped to Ruiz side. Antonina
stretched out her hand an ht ID Inc
lack and If ever saw the devil look
out from woman's eyes, I saw it
shining then between her half closed
Ids.
"'Adios, compancros,' she said in
clear, ringing tones, I go to wait
for yon in hell
"Witha swift motion she buried the
dagger, which had been concealed in
her hand. in her heart. and as The
last strains Of the music died away
she fell to the floor, the wicked smile
frozen on her mouth.
"Three weeks later, Gen. Ruiz and
every one of his subordinate officers
died of the most malignant kind CT
smallpox. Antonina had searched
init. she had found a ease as we aft
CT ward discovercd-had exposed Sam
chez sword belt to the infection, an 4
thus carried the infection 10 Ruiz,
gaining a vengeance which few
bra ins could have evolved. She had
loved the man whose life she had
sold for a jewell
"Why did she take her lifc?" uucs-
toned Lester.
"I'hat,' answered Brown. "wns n !
phase of her character which r.
found hard to understand, though I
believe that she preferred death tot
the ass of her charms. and knew
that she surely must have had the !
dscad disease herself. To me The
most wonderful thing about her was
that she could love so Intensely, and
never by word or sign betray herself, |
even when she saw him die, and /,
knew that she was responsible for
mis- death. That is something | have
never seen in any other woman, and
gave evidence of will that could |
have moved empires, had IT not spent
all its energy on one man."
Upland Pastures for sheep. |