The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1903-10-30


the lieutenant had given evidence
against that morning. Luigi Aramado
had escaped. Below the eye, but who'll
ly hidden in the bush, there were two
hands, and In one Of them. there was a
knife. The man was waiting until the
lieutenant should fall asleep.
The tents flaps moved lazily in the
sleepy breeze. Now and then one Of
the little lizards made lightning dart,
and a fly had perished. The lieutenant
slept peacefully. Every thing was as 1t
should be when noon approaches in tho
tropics. -
Still the figure crouched, watchful
and silent. At length the man crept
forward till he wns full in the tent; !;
then he stopped and drew from his
blouse tiny vial. He was near
enough to have used the knife, but he
evidently had other purposes. Perhaps
he wished to gloat over his victim be-
fore the blow fell. His glance had
fallen upon the brazier and the brand
Ing irons.
Slowly and noiselcssly he rose to his
feet. 1t was n mistake, for 1t startled
the lizards. Disobeying their training,
they scampered over the face of the
sleeper. 2
1t half woke him, and he looked up
lazily, but. before he could more than
catch glimpse of the evil eyes and
cleaning blade, before he could halloo
for help, the man flung himself upon
him and In the lieutenant's nostrils
entered the deadly fumes Of chloro-
form. Then he lost consciousness.
The italian raised himself cautious
ly-the stupor might be feigned. But
moments scrutiny relieved his fears
In twinkling he had bound the lieu
tenant hand and foot and thrust a gag
into his mouth.
"Killing wouldn't be enough" the
despcrado muttcred flercely. "Pll mark
him for life, 80 I will"
The lizards meanwhile had darted up
on the canvas Of the tent They had
done all that they could in waking the
lieutenant. They could not fight for
him.
And while the lizards watched with
their beady eyes the intruder thrust
Aie irons into the abrazier. The lieu
tenants eyes were open now, for the
force Of tho opiate was spent. The des-
perado turned and caught their un-
daunted glance.
"Pig OF a lieutenant he said vicious
ly. "'It Is now I who have the power.
will wait until the irons heat, then
we shall see what we shall see." And
he kicked the helpless figure before he
turned again to the braZier.
AS he watched the metal turn from
black to gray and flush into redncss, a
cruel smile disclosed his fanglilie teeth.
"'Tis most ready, my lieutenant" he
said tauntingly.
Noiselessly the tent flap swayed, as If
moved by gentle breeze. The mans
back was turned. He was. too intent
on the brnzier to see slight figure
which slipped through the aperture.
1t was Ysabel, his wife.
The girls eyes dilated with horror
aa sho glanced from the bound lieuten-
ant to the deadly preparations of his
enemy. Then with u little movement
she snatched the pistol which lay on
the table. At the sound the man Mt
the brazier turned and found himself
looking into the barrel held in her
steady hands. He was a coward, and
he quailed before her. - 8
Take those ropes off," she said i'm
periously in her musical Spanish
pointing to the iieutenants bonds. 'Tf
You do not will shoot you"
There was a tremor In her voice, but
her eyes were unfiinching,
The lieutenant watched her, fascinat
ed. Her husband, sullenly accepting
defeat, began to unite the knots. At
length the captive was released and
the two stood silently before her. Both
seemed overawed by the beauty and
fearlessness Of the woman.
Still pointing with her pistol, she
cried:
"Now, go--go-go, Luigi, and never
the desperado obeyed.
When the tent flap fell behind him
the pistol dropped from her trembling
fingers and she leaned against the table
as II for support.
"Was 1t wrong to let him goT she
said appealingly. "You would have
Killed him II he had stayed, and l
could not have stood that. I-loved
him once, There was a sob in her
THROAT. NOW he will never dare to
Come back again I shall be free from,
hfm: Yah will let him go for my
sake9"
AZ the lieutenant glanced from the
irons from which she had saved him
to her pleading face he could not but
consent. Yet, as she, too, disappeared
behind the coffee bushes, he heard her
choking sobs.
1.-THE way Of a woman is hard" said
the lieutenant