The Washington times., 1903-02-01

Of the world I know why you pierced
your flesh and prayed at the campo
santo- You sought forgiveness for the
punishment you gave Juan Cancio when
he called NE Delilah. a she tiger. who
tempted men only to betray them. Since
then you have stayed away from me, be
cause you were unwilling I should dis
turb you at your deyotions. and because
you were determined that I should no
more trouble your sacerdotaI career. Is
this not true. Ricardo
There is truth in what you have
said he admitted.
and you are to be a priest. she re
sumed. 'Ay de mi. What a father con-
fessor you will be, With what worldly
eyes you viii look upon the suppHcantes.
and what an absence of soIemnity will
be in your tones! You were resolved
that / should never tempt you to turn
your back upon your duty. You need not
have feared such sweet temptation. So
long as I had the great professor at my
feet. I could Scarcely think of poor
Ricardo
Her words appeared to prick him
like the point of a poniard. He an
swered her quickly and with reckless
disregard Of consequences:
1t is long since I gave up my in
tentton of studying for the church. You
drove that purpose out of my heart
You have cared no more for me than
for the sage bush growing at our feet.
and have always known the hopeless
ness Of my passion for you. It has led
me into trouble, even into crime. and 1t
has sent NE shuddering across the
campo santo in search Of peace of mind
You taught me that I was unit to be a
teacher before the altar of the church.
and that my place was with the humble
suplicantes."
She was painting with astonishment
and triumph. When he ceased speaking
she spoke her theught-her voice full
and sweet. and resonant with feeling:
You must have loved me, Ricardo
Yes he admitted, I loved you. I
cared no more TO drink from the sacred
chalice of the church. for I thirsted for
the red wine Of your lips I cared no
more to breathe the incense of the holy
eucharist, for painted for the perfume
of your breath. No sacred image could
hold my thoughts while your form stood
between ne and my way to heaven
All. you loved mel she repeated
you. the anchorite, who I believed could
never be enslayed by mortal woman;
you the only man for whose love I nave
hungered- How blind, how dull. We
have been. Ricardo
she had burst into tempest Of
weeping. and he clasped her and kissed
her. forgetfuI now of every moral OBJ
legation. All men lose sight of honor
sometimes in their lives. and Ricardo
was like others Forgive him, senor.
for ne was very human. and he loved.
If you had once seen Marta. you would
not have blamed him. His hot tears
fell upon her upturned face. and The
blood seemed to rush through his veins
like an overeharged river. He besought
her to quit the house before the pro
fessor should return. or the guests ar
rive. Ricardo was TO longer a peni-
tente He was lover without con
science. and he implored her to fly with
him.
she was willing, eager to go. When
he released her for moment she
sprang into her room in quest OF a
cloak to wrap about her bare shoulders.
She would have gone to perdftion with
this man. who had long wounded her
vanity by his pretended Indifference.
and wEo had appeared to be bopeIessly
removed from her BY his devotion 10
the church. There was no whisper Of
conscience to mar her triumph, But
when she entered her room to make
ready for her departure she came face
to face with the professor.
lie, had returned unnoticed. and Lad
entered his home by doorway that was
rarely used. Doubtless he had desired
to surprise his bride by his speedy .e-
turn He came out upon the balcony
now. and the man and the woman who
had wronged him shrank little from
him. wondering If he had heard. OF seen.
or sur=nisad what had been passing be
tween them. AS he betrayed no sign
Of dtspIaasure, they breathed more free
Iy and grew composed.
You are here in time to congratu-
late us the professor said. and 10
drink to the health Of the bride before
the other guests arrive. This is most
Kind. Ricardo. Bring us wine and
glasses he called to me. And then to
his guest he said. We will pledge the
health of Marta in blood red wine
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