The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-03

His answer was another close embrace
Presently, Withdrawing to the bench
beside the table. they sat down side by
side, the girls head against her lovers
shoulder aid her hand holding one of
his. There he told her of the adven-
lures that had befailen him while on
his way to the capital, of his fight with
the bandits. of Don Cassava and his
daughter, of his illness and Paula's
nursing.
At this point in the narrative Anita's
head was suddenly removed from his
shoulder and she sat upright looking at
him with speaking eyes.
And did you kiss her hand at part
ing" she asked severely.
mo. my sweetheart, I did not" re-
turned Mertrez, somewhat astonished at
this question.
But he remembered that he had been
ready for a Irritation with Senorisa
Paula had she not reproved him for it.
and his face flushed in spite of himself.
Anita looked at him doubtfully.
at know not whether I should be-
lieve your words or not Zanosa said to
me-
''Have I not asked you to have moth
ing to do with the witch?'' exclaimed
Carlo. clutching at the opportunity af-
forded by the mention of Zanosa's name.
False tales and evil sayings are ever
on her tongue She can only harm
you
There was prospect Of a lovers quar-
rel IN the first moment Of their reunion.
Mertrez FASTENED TO continue the con-
versation with a recital of the events
that had befaslen him on his homeward
journey.
It had been in his mind 70 tell her OF
the gift and message which Paula had
sent BY his hand to her own lover. but
now he feared that any further mention
OF the subject would again arouse the
girls jealousy. Therefore he held his
peace and said nothing of the message
or the locket which at that moment
hung about his neck
When he had finished his recital he
asked many eager questions as to what
had befallen on the Rock during his
absence. Anita told him all that she
herself had learned. stayed many times
in the course Of her narrative by his
surprised ordinations and by other in
terruptions such as are likely to occur
when lovers speak together.
1t was not until near the end of Ami
ta's account and when the half hour
promised her by the guard was nearly
exhausted that he bethought him to in
qu how she had been able TO come To
Il came by a secret path down the
Cliff said Anita proudly. mo one saw
me or knew OF IL. It was very hard,
she went on pathetically. holding up her
hands that he might see their bruised
and injured condition. Il cut my fin
gers and tore my gown upon the stones.
Once 1 thought 1 was going to fan over
the cliff. The heat was terrible
AT length l fell down. did not
think I should ever rise again. but as
lay there the Virgin came and helped M
and took away the great fear that had
been upon me.
i should not have come all the way"
she added. simply. except for thinking
that ! should find you here
And how did you know that was
here2" said Mertrez in surprise.
"Zanosa told me. She 1t was also
who showed me the secret path.
The young man did not again express
his opinion Of Zanosa. The girls words
about the secret path had set him
thinking
a secret way down the cliff, say
your ne queried. DO you mean that
It is unknown to others?"
The witch woman says that it Is
known to her alone" replied Anita.
"She showed it to me when she was
angry because I would not believe what
she told me.
And It's is the path unguarded?"
There is no guard on that part of
the cliff The TOP of the path IS nearly
opposite the bower where you used to
come TO meet me. The lower end ex-
tends down to the sea Itself"
Mertrez sprang 10 his feet in the en-
thusiasm Of the idea that had come
to him.
Beloved" he exclaimed, You have
shown me a way 10 retrieve my honor
II 1 can communicate with the COM
mander l will tell him that l know OF
this secret path On condition OF being
restored 10 freedom and 10 :.ly rank
will offer 10 lead party up the cliff 10
surprise the English.
We Will go at night" he went on,
with growing confidence. as the plan
unfolded in his mind. AT the first
dawn we Will attack. There are re-
enforceme nts here now and ammunition
in plenty. If we can obtain command
Of the summit of the Rock we can hold
it against all the English on land or
sea"
Anita looked at him in admiration.
My noble Carlo she exclaimed, 1T
IL Ike you TO think at once of your
ecLptry and your honor. But the pay
is very hard " she added doubtfully
III my tender lover can travel it.
think not that / shall fall" rejoined
Carlo. and he kissed her fondly on the
forehead just where the dark hair
swept back from her clear skin.
At that moment the guard reappeared
to summon Anita. BY dint of a further
draft upon the girls store of coin he
was induced to supply the prisoner with
pen and paper and to promise that his
note should be delivered to the COM
mander.
Anita gave careful directions for find
ing the path and promised that If ali
was well on the Rock on the second day
following she would wave her scarlet
shawl over the edge Of the cliff as n sig
nal that the coast was clear. Then ar
ter parting directions and embraces and
murmured words Of love, prolonged to
a degree that sOrely tried the patience
OF the waiting guard. she turned her
face once more toward the Rock. leav-
fve -.