Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-06-23


capped him.
three OF the tables were In operation.
, Pendleton did not bestow so much as
glance upon any of them, but strobe
the length of the salon, passed out
again upon the piazza and down
among the network of graveled paths
| which dissected into every conceivable
design the luNuriant vegetation of the
garden. He followed one Of these
paths until it ended abruptly at rus
| tic summer house.
December nights, even in and near
the City of Mexico, are chilly II not
cold, and the fur lined coat that Pen
dleton wore was by no means bur-
den. AS he approached the summer
house he drew the collar around his
ears and passed inside. Perceiving
that he was the sole occupant, he
lighted cigar and stood with his back
against a section of the framework
while he awaited the absent party to
the tryst. Ten minutes later his pa
thence was rewarded.
Pendleton could hear the sound Of
approaching footsteps on the gravel,
and presently the vine shrouded door
way was darkened by the figure of a
woman closely yelled. Behind her, six
feet away, was another, but instead Of
the lace mantilla which decorated the
head while it concealed the features of
her companion she was covered by
dark colored serape, and even in that
dim light which was almost darkness,
it was easily percevable that she filled
the capacity of duenna.
Pendleton cast his cigar aside and,
lifting his hat, bowed low.
81 am glad, senorita, that I arrived
before you did, since it has spared you
the unpleasantness of waiting" he
said. "Your message assured me that
you speak English and that your serv-
ant does not, from which | decided
that you preferred me to use that
tongue Will you be seated senorita?"
She was silent moment before re-
plying, as if she lacked the courage to
speak, but at last, in low voice that
was indescribably sweet, she said slow
ly:
81 thank you thousand times, Sc
nor, not only for your kindness in COM
ing to me here, but also for the secrecy
that l feel assured you have imposed
upon yourself at my request
You may be assured of that much,
senorita."
eff you will indulge me still further,
/ will remain in the doorway as 1 am
now My position serves two purposes,
since / remain in full view of the serv
ant and at the same time screen you
from observation. l asked you to meet
me here senior, because l knew that |
was less likely to be recognized in this
place and also because the grand opera
In the city has attracted nearly If not
quite all of those who might identify
me-
Pendleton bowed, but made no reply.
Presently she continued:
"You are to engage in duel in the
morning. Senior Pendleton. l have been
SO informed
Your information is correct"
81 commit an impertinence, but may
inquire the cause"
at grieves me, senorita, that 1T is out
of my power to enlighten you"
do you mean that you cannot or
that you will not?"
POSSIBLY both, senorita. 1t would
scarcely accord with my idea of ethics
to do SO in any case. but happily l am
spared the necessity for discrimlna-
ton, for do not know the reason my
self, at least not the real cause. OF
course the gentleman who compelled
me to challenge him insulted me gross
ly before did so, but am utterly I'M
aware of his reason for seeking the
quarrel"
"And he is''-she whispered the
name evidently to prevent the duenna
from hearing it-"Captain 1gnacio Ro-
mero.'
Pendleton bowed again.
'You fight with pistolsw
eve are expected to do So"
MAY ! ask the name OF your second
in this AFFAIR.""
Captain Agramonte."
She took one impulsive step forward
and then, as If remembering that the
eyes of the other woman were upon
her, as hastily withdrew to her former