The Jennings daily record., 1902-10-04
CHAPTER XII.
An Execution Della we'd.

An Execution Delayed.
The pris0ners-all that remained of
the gallant band that fought for the
Republic-were ruthlessly shot.
This was the first official act of
Philip OF Aragon after the crown had
been placed upon his head. General
Salvarez, the greatest of the prisoners,
was not placed among them, but no
less was the murderOus wrath of his
captors IT, descend upon his head.
True, SalvareZ was prisoner Of
war and should have been treated with
the consideration and dignity due his
rank.
A certain honor was reserved for
Salvarez. it is tr':e-the honor of
standing alone to meet his death.
And. as if to mock him, or to en-
phasiZe the irony of his fate, the man
who was to command and carry out the
execution of the republican general
was his Old neighbor. Pedro Francisco.
The loving wife and daughter of Sal
varez were still with him in the room
which was to be the last he should ever
occupy in his own castle.
II fear not for the country" replied
SalvarcZ. Give the President time to
get his army here. and the monster
will never live to see another day. 1t
is not that which moves me. All, it
is the thought of you!" The general
rose from his chair and paced the
length OF the room. For myself
care little. Years ago | consecrated
my life to the Republic. In battle l
would give it willingly. But it is hard
to go thus and leave you. my dear ones.
in the hands Of these merciless scoun-
drels. There are no friends left. In
whose hand can / leave you?"
Alas" said Iona Maria, "our
friends are dead Yet l do not fear
for myself. If they take you, my gen.
eral, soon viii follow you. BY my
own hand I will cheat these monsters
OF one victim CT ;ne.r license"
"Dut Jacinta."
She is young She must-she
must"
Must WHAT" sternly asked the gen
eral Give herself UP to these despoil-
ers? Rather, if she is true daughter
of the Republic, she"
A heavy step interrupted the conver-
satiou.
/ Pedro Francisco entered.
His black, cleaning eyes glanced to-
ward Salvarez and his wife, and then
rested upon the beautiful, tear-stained
| face of Jacinta.
He beckoned for her to leave he,
fathers side and come to him.
He led her to a distant corner, ant
bent to speak in her ear words tha
could be heard by herself alone.
"You can save your fathers life," ht
said.
She glanced quickly and beseechingl,
at him.
"Jacinta," he sad, have you hear'
the order of the king"
She bowed her head.
yes" she answered. My fathe
pays the penalty of his loyalty to hi
country--to your country-with hi
life"
"True," he said AT noon today h
is to be led out into his own garden
and bound, and stood face to file o
soldiers An officer will give the wor
to fire. That officer Is myself"
She started back. Her black eye
blazed scorn and hate upon him.
"You!" she hissed. You! OF
wretch, serpent. fiend.! You, VIII
claimed to be friend, will give tn
command that will send my father t
his DEATH"
You may prevent 1t, Jacinta."
"T? can prevent it? How?
have already knelt in bitter humilia
ton before your pretender king. an
begged for my fathers life. He spurne
me. How, then, can I save him."
: II tell you I am to command tn
squad that is to shoot him. AT moo
J nothing can be done. But If it can /
postponed till midnight-if the exec,
tion could be held in the darknes
much could be done. His fetters coul
be loosened-he could be left free--tf
guns could be loaded blank-he coul
drop at the fire. and creep away"
"Ah. Pedro! You will do this? Yo
will save my fathers life? You 10,
the Republic still!!"
"No. l am an enemy to the Republic
But love you. For you, and you alon'
1 will do this. If you but say the word.
Word" Her bosom heaved wit
emotion. What do you mean? Wha
Xord2,