The Jennings daily record., 1902-10-04
CHAPTER XIV.
The Barred Window.

CHAPTER XIV.
The Barred Window
That evening was dark and cloudy.
BY nine o'clock the largest object
would not cast a shadow.
Jacinta, still weak after the exhaust
ing excitement Of the day. waited al
most breathlessly for the midnight
hour to come. for it was by this time
certain that the plan OF francisco was
working to perfection. But, so
strangely are women constituted, even
as she rejoiced in the fact that her
fathers life was to be saved. she be-
gan to rebel against the fulfillment of
the promise that had made his saliva
ton possible.
She loathed and despiscd Francisco.
whom she knew to be a man of low
and brutal tastes, a small, mean soul.
and her heart grew sick when she
thought Of the future that must now
be hers-bound to a man upon whom
she would look only with loathing and
contempt.
And as her mind dwelt on the short
comings and evil character Of the man
u,
there rose before her the picture OF the
handsome young American who had
rescued her from Francisco's evil
hands.
There was a man she could have
loved.
''He loves another" she said to her
self. And that other is to be married
to the hateful ccnQueros. Ah! if l
were free, why might not the American
love me?"
She cast aside her gloomy thoughts
and went to the window, where, press.
ing her tear-stained face against the
bars, she peered out into the starless
night. A slight rustling solad beneath
the window startled her. Sne took
step backward in sudden fear.
She listened inten,'y. What was
that A whisper. Sha listened again.
This time there could be 40 ooubt.
A voice came out of the darkness,
whispering, almost wl!istl:ng the name.
"Salvarez.
Are you the daughter OF General
Salvarez?" came the voice.
Yes. yes" she replied. I'VE are
prisoners. l thought you were also
taken"
80 we were,' replied Medworth,
but Tempest and escaped"
You will be captured" said Jacinta.
really alarmed for hiu!. Why do you
not remain hidden"
II came to warn your father--to
save him." was the reply.
Jacinta's breath came hard. She
strained her eyes, and by the aid of
what little light escaped through the
window she saw the handsome face of
the American upt,raed to hers.
ITO save my father she exclaimed.
Brave friend. But he is already
safe"
"No. he is not" said Medworth. 81
know what you mean. You promised
to marry Francisco"
II Observation-Disclosures him." whis-
pered Jacinta.
Perhaps you DO" said Medworth. in
reply to her remark about Francisco
You ought to. DID he promise to save
your father II you consented to be his
wife,"
"Yes. yes" painted Jacinta, rs the
wretch false?"
"No. I think he means to carry out
his contract, but It is impossible for
him to succeed. By crouching at the
sliding panel We can hear all that is
said in the council room. Gomez was
there with Francisco Gomez seemed
to think Francisco would play him
false and allow your father to escape.
The men that Francisco picked to form
the firing squad were friends of his
own, ana Gomez thought it looked sus-
picious. But Gomez seemed at last to
be treasured by Francisco, and they
talked OF other matters. But Francisco
had no sooner left than Gomez sent
for an officer. to whom he gave this
order: The officer is to take some
men and lie hidden near the spot where
the execution is to take place. II your
father is not shot by Francisco he is
to be shot by the others"
''Oh!" sobbed Jacinta. Then there
III no hope for my poor father!"
II want to help him escape" said
Medworth. Have you not thought Of
the secret passage?"
Eyes, We nave thought Of 1t; but to
what purpose? Ny father esy1 tho en-
emy were there, and drove our men