Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-05-26

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ter and will call on each and every on
of you for toast.
He resumed his seat amid the bois
ferrous hurrahs of his companions. Fo
awhile, in answer to Lopez's request
toasts of different characters were givel
amid the general laughter of the guests
When all had spoken someone re
marked:
"Servedo has not spoken. and a mar
loved by the peerless Margarita mus
have much to say"
Lopez smiled and reflling his glas;
began:
Certainly; l have much to say and
win not shrink the task. have a story
| wish you to hear. but before relate
it want you all to drink a toast with
me-"
All raised their glasses and waited
Lopez turned to Margarita, saying:
You will drink out Of my glass this
time, drinking only half, leaving the
other half for me-"
Smilingly she put down her glass and
Lopez began:
Il drink to the most beautiful, the
most outwardly perfect woman in the
world, to Margarita Toreno."
All glasses were drained and after
Margarita had drunk half of what was
in Lopez's he swallowed the rest, adding
with a smile:
This is our love troth," and be re.
sumed his seat Now for my story"
Silence" cried the others, Lopez
has got a story Listen to the story"
After awhile the noise ceased and 10.
PEI began:
This is a true story, every word OF
it is true, so note well what | say. I'll
was three years ago, a young man pass.
ing by a cigarette factory saw a lovely |
girl in plain dress leaving the building |
She was beautiful, with a beauty which I
came from a pure soul and a noble heart |
Well, he was young, ardent, and she
pleased him. He sought her out. saw
that she was virtuous. though poor, ant
unable to get her any other way he mar.
ried her in secret, since his rank and
his parents pride forbade him to do SO
openly"
He paused and turned with a smile to,
ward Margarita. She had suddenly be-
come very pale and her dark eyes met
his in a startled question; but without
seeming to heed her emotion be contin.
ued, measuring each of his words:
only those who have truly loved
loved with all the strength Of heart and
soul, can guess what hours of bliss, what
exquisite joys filed the lives of the two
married lovers. For two years that hap
piness continued, then a cloud rose in
their sunny sky, and that cloud took the
shape Of a woman, divinely beautiful,
but satanically cruel
she was one of those lost creatures
which the world supports yet scorns
She had princes and kings at her feet,
but her vain heart wanted to possess the
man who scorned her. What's the mat.
er, Margarita? you are pale; does my
story move your"
BY powerful effort she overcame her
weakness and answered:
GO on; / am interested. Only pass
ne more wine, feel strangely dizzy"
md she drank eagerly the glass one OF
Ter companions had filled for her. But
4opez continued:
Seeing that she could not win him J
he decided to take her from him. II ]
vas an easy thing to accomplish, for
ne night well-paid assassin struck his !
low in the dark; one young life was I
ut short; one love dream was brought '
o an end and the next morning all
Iadrid was shocked TO hear Of the mys. I
arious murder of the Villa del Rosa. J
A smothered cry from Margarita I
lused all eyes to turn in her direction I
he was standing in her place, pale, d
hastily, wild. Some Of the women rose u
) go to her, but Lopez said in the same b
aim voice: il
Don't worry, ladies; I will take care r
Margarita, she will soon be we'll" 2
The smile had fed from all lips. cur
mt of dread passed among the guests b
lost faces were pale and in the heart n
each was fear that something was s.
ping to happen. Lopez alone remained a
aim and after forcing Margarlta TO re- "
lme her seat he continued. his words &
ling like a dirge on the oppressive ST. Il
nee: 81
you all know the details Of that muir Is
sr, but what you do not know was the el
18th the man took over the body of the I
oman he had loved. He swore that c,
E would find the guilty and avenge her Il
sath. He has this night kept that oath.
Margarita gave a wild cry as she Il
arted to her feet. Lopez. with a laugh di
triumph. concluded: n
The hero Of my story IS myself The Il
lilty woman stands yonder. As to my o.
I achieved II as drank my m
.ath and hers while pronouncing nv OF
asst. The wine we drank was pois- II
led. There is no cure and IN an hour m
e both will be dead. drank nv toast Il
the most beautiful, the most out ca
ardly perfect woman OF the world. but =,
drank Il with a wine which. Ike her. II
as venomous. yet which hid its dan
II in the glitter OF its sparkle. A ser