Idaho Springs siftings., 1902-05-31


affection, yet I have known you tc
lean upon one man with such conf
dence that l am sure he occupied a
place in your heart"
The Marquis showed signs of emo
ton at last-his wonderful reserve had
been pierced.
Yes" he replied, sadly.
"To this day General Barrajo has
not been seen in Gautarica," she con-
tinued.
"Poor Ped7o-faithful friend" he
muttered.
"You alone know his fate. senor
Jack"
''Yes, but all the world shall soon
know it, for have had it's feats of
arms blazoned upon stone just about
to be sent over. 1t will be set up in
San Jose Cemetery, where his body
has lain these two years.
rs it possible-his death then is
mystery-it was connected with your
own adventures"
True, Senorita. Together we sought
a treasure, shoulder to shoulder we
met those who would have robbed us
of our prize. We conquered, but Bar
rajo fell, bleeding in every vein. Our
written compact gave the survivor all.
His dying wish was that his body
should be removed to consecrated
ground. There he has lain under a
stone marked only Don Pedro, who
gave his life in battle for a Friend
1t Shall be so no longer-all Gauta-
rica shall ring with the valor of his
last deed, and crowd to his grave to
do the brave old hero honor"
The Marquis for once had been
thrown off his guard by the revival of
these never-to-be-forgotten scenes, and
as memory again brought the hero
ism of Barrajo before him his face
lighted up with an enthusiasm it had
not been allowed to disclose, 10, these
many days.
And Dona Juanita, seeing the tran
STORY change, surveyed him with kind
ling eyes.
"Ahi Senior Jack. such satisfaction
is sweet to the heart of those who
have loved and been thrown aside. l
sympathize with you, and nothing
would give me greater pleasure than
to be allowed a share in your plans
to make your interests my own. Per-
haps woman's wit might help you to
secure a quick and terrible revenge"
You mean well, Dona Juanita; l
thank you for the interest shown in
my welfare but whatever my plans
may be, they must concern me alone.
could not permit any one to join me
in their prosecution, least of all you,
whom | have known and respected in
other days. So | beg that you will
forget what you said, and let us hold
intercourse as friends who have met
after long separation.
One look she gave him; it was like
the glowering stare of a tigress about
to leap; then her mood suddenly chang
ed, and she laughed in mellow way
that had no trace of anger in it-in
times past this popularity had been
very manifest in her disposition-the
sudden change of front such as marks
the consummate actress and the dan
gerous woman.
Just as you say. Marquis, but
have a rarely obstinate nature, and,
having set my mind on any object it is
hard to balk me. Here comes my de-
lightful hostess and kinswoman. At
some later date | trust to see you
again, when we may chat over scenes
in the misty past"
He nodded assent.
The Marquis was glad when my lady
dragged him away to another part
of the garden to meet others of her
fair guests; but he understood what
hidden meaning lay beneath the words
which the black-eyed Spanish beauty
floated after him, and which would
arise many times to haunt him:
eau revoir. Marquis; | always keep
my world"
The opportunity had come at length.
A few hasty words from his hostess
and the Marquis found himself face
to face with the woman whose false
ness to her VOWS had sent him,
smooth-faced young man. an exile from
England five years before.
He had prepared for the meeting,
and not by the culver of an eyelid
did he betray himself.
Fedora was as lovely and charming
as ever, more matronly, perhaps, but
showing no sign o. the passage of time.