The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1902-02-10

FvVS
the next moment Escudera was beside
them.
This Is an unexpected pleasure,
scnorila," he said coldly in Spanish,
ignoring utterly the presence of Wynd-
ham. II did not know that my tlancee
was in the city"
Wyndham saw that he was deadly
pale and that he was struggling with
all his strength Of will to speak calmly.
This man, usually SO self possessed for
once had lost his power Of self roprcs-
sion. His eyes seemed sunkcn back
in his head. His white teeth cleaned
omnously under his black mustache
His hands tremblcd with excitement
Craig thought, somewhat vaguely-for
he was intent upon watching the nah
how fortunate 1t was that Carmen had
told. him that she was aflianced to rs.
clldcrl! lie realized In that moment
how appalling the statement would
have been had he not already been for
;ificd against it. At the same instant
he decided that 1t was best to treat
the Mexican In Il perfectly natural
manner. Anybody who has found
himself at some time in a critical
position realizes how rapidly one can
and does think at such moments.
He sprang to his feet before Escu-
dera had ceased speaking and exclaim-
ed in tone that evidenced both sur
prise and pleasure, for Escudcra did
not know that he understood Spanish.
hello, Escudera! This Is al uncx-
pccted pleasure. supposed you were
sleeping the sleep of the just after last
night. Permit me, Miss Pendleton, to
present my friend, Senior Escudcra. lie
comes from your own country, by the
way. Escudera, Miss Pendleton.'
1t was a shot that told, for it stag
gercd Escndrra utterly.
If such Il thing were possible, he be.
came a shade whittier than before, and
for once in his life he was UutdOne in
presence of mind.
1t was clever, too, on the part OF
Wyndham, that assumption for Carmen
Of the name Of Pendlcton. for it cx-
planned without further words their
presence there together.
Esculera bowed with n gesture that
was truly Mexican, and he smiled with
an insolence That he did not try to con
ceal, and while he bowed and smiled
he made another heroic effort to con-
In hut hot hn
only partly successful for he still ig-
norcd Wyndham He could not play
the game with the cool head Of his an
1agonst. There were mileposts beyond
! which he could not travel.
| Il do not think that require an in
! Production to you by this fellow or by
anybody," be said in Spanish, believing
that Wyndham could not understand
him. "but | do require an explanation
Of your presence here
"Yo,I have it," she replied calmly, "in
the letter yon sent to me announcing
the death of Burr Prndlcton, in which
YOU refraincd from telling me the
truth"
1t was delicate method Of telling
| him that he had lied to her, and it
| anscrcd him beyond endurance.
! "Shnll | tell You why | deceived
you:" he demanded holly, forgetting
that he had demanded an explanation
and that instead lie was making one.
cit was because | respected your feel
ings: because believed the knowledge
Of how your half brother came TO his
death would shock YOU because al
ready knew tie name of the man WHO
killed him and only awaited evidence
to convict him Of the crime, and that
man. the man who killed FcndlCton, is
your present companion this man VINO
sits opposite YOU at the table
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