Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1902-01-09

NM Oht NfNhAbk VIZ PAhNN 49,
surrounded and Sanchez taken pris-
oner. He was. OF course, sentenced
to be shot.
"Antonina, apparently, thought no
more OF the matter. She appeared at
the theater on the following even
ing, and had never been more charm
ing. The story Of her share in the
rebels capture got about. and she was
cheered whenever she was seen by the
loyalists. Ruiz was more infatuated
than ever, and was worse than helpless
In her hands.
THE day that Sanchez was to be ex-
ecuted Antonina demanded OF Ruiz
that be should gain permission for
her to see her former lover alone. 1t
was not known what excuse she gave
for this seemingly strange request,
but, at any rate, 1t was granted her.
What took place at the interview was
never disclosed. Immediately after II
was over Sanchez was marched into
the courtyard, placed with his face to
the wall and shot to death. He met his
fate with gallant indifference
"Antonina watched him die, from
one of the windows, without sign of
emotion. save a narrowing OF the eye
lids and slight compression Of the
lips She danced that night, but can
celed her engagement for the follow
ing week, saying she was going to leave
the city for a rest.
"A few days later happened to be
In one OF the shabbiest parts Of town,
and there met a woman whose re-
semblance TO the dancer was 80 strik-
ing that | turned and looked after her
as she passed me. She went into a
miserable looking hoyel and, as loi-
tered near, hoping 10 solve the
mystery, she came out again, and
walked swiftly by me. This time /
was convinced'that 1t was Antonina.
Much puzzled at her appearance in
such a place, / followed her, but soon
she disappeared down narrow side
street, and being unfamiliar with that
part OF the town, lost track Of her.
Next day | was called away from
the city. and when | returned found
The social world in u state OF eXpcc.
tntiOn over a grand reception 70 he
given by Gen. Ruiz in honor Of some
OF Ibc American officers. The chief
Iltracuon was the announcement
that Antonina had been engaged to
dance for the entertainment of the
guests. determined to accept my
invitation, as the woman possessed
q great attraction for me. was
present at the reception.
"The salas were crowded with
brilliant assembly. Scores of benuti.
ful Women. and the handsome span.
ish tfiicers In their snowy uniforms.
mingled with the more sober dress
OF our country, gave a most pictur-
es1ue effect to the scene. I. was
nearly midnight when the dancer ar
rived. She had driven directly from
the theater, and was attired in a
most magnificent costume, while on
her breast glittered the Ruiz cn-
mond. As she came into the ball
room, abe was greeted with Drnvos
and was showered with flowers. She
paused moment on the threshold,
aud responded with n faint. half
nockipg smile. Then slowly raising
her arms, she stepped forward. In
siantly the orchestra struck mp viii
the passionate music OF III Sol, nni
the guests drew away from the CEN
ter Of the room. leaving her standing
in blaze OF color and jewels alone
en- the polished floor.
~ will not attempt to describe the
dance. We watched her with deep
drawn breaths, and dizzy brains, as
she wbirisd herself from the lazy
languor OF the beginning TO the mad
abandon at the end. Ruiz. unable Il
contain lis emotions, caught mp n
flower that had dropped from her
hair. and. unmindful of observers.
kissed IL. She saw the actor, and
with a 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.
l stepped 10 Ruiz side. Antoninn
stretched out her. hand, and he'd me
back, and N ever saw the devil look
out from q woman's eyes, | saw IL
shining then between her half closed
Ids.
"'Adios, eompaneros, she said In
clear, ringing tones, 4 go 60 wait
for You In hell
"Withaswift 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
Ahe 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 ci
smallpoI. Antoninn had searched
vntil she had found case, ms we aft
oI ward discovered exposed SAN.
chez sword belt TO the infection, an
thus carried the Infection TO Ruiz.
hhihhk NNikNhnNt Nnltn ltN
brains could have evolved She had
loved the man whose life she had
sold for a jewel"
'Why did she take her life2" qucs.
toned Lester.
That" answered Brown, "was a
phase OF her character which |
found hard to understand. though |
believe that she preferred death to
the loss OF her charms, and knew
that she surely must have had the
dread disease herself To me ,hc
most wonderful thing about her was
that she could love so intensely. and
never 10y word or sign hctray herself,
even when she saw him die, and
knew that she WAS responsible for
his death. That Is something { have
never seen In any other woman. auJ
gave evidence OF q will that could
have moved empires, had IL not spent
all lfu au.V.r.a ,t .ua man