The Washington times., 1904-06-26

gallantly. looking at her in unconcesisd
admiration. Beauty makes beautiful
all that II touches ne added. and then
as though fearing 10 offend by too pro-
fuse compliments. he went on.
You are early sstir this morning.
sencrita"
Il might say the same OF YOU re-
Piled Anita. AS for myself. come
hese often at this hour. il IS the most
beautiful part Of the day"
1T Is IN truth" said Calthorpe.
though 7 fear that II would net have
tempted me from a comfortable ued
But I am very glad that duty has seat
me abroad so early since II has led 70
my finding you
Anita DID not wish the conversation
10 take the personal turn toward WhicI1
her companion was constantly direct
ing IT,
Are you on duty here upon the
Rock2' she asked quickly
Il am posted with dozen men IN
charge OF the signal station and this
portion of the height explained thu
liea;cnant Il am requested to report
each morning to the commander" he
went on. II was on my way % him
when 7 saw you here
OH exclaimed Anita in feigned
alarm you are In command here2
Then I should not have come hithcr
without your consent. Perhaps 7 shall
be arrested and put into prison"
The trap was so subtle that a wiser
man than the young officer could
scarcely have avoided It.
Not So" he said eagerly: you may
come whenever you will. and pray that
a.
to the guards that you are not 10 be
disturbed. or. better still, you shall
know our password II is Her Majesty
Utter that to any guard who accosts
you and none shall BAR your way.
You are very kind" senor.' she said.
'I shall be glad to come simetimes.
And now" she added with dignity. II
will not detain you longer from your
dutv-"
Calthorpe looked disappointed It
was in his mind TO refer profanely 10
his duty and its requirements. But ne
could not overlook what was so plainly
a dismissal. After a moments hesita-
ton he bowed again. saying:
Il shall look for your coming, senor-
tia"
Anita watched the departing figure q
the young lieutenant until turning Of
the path hid him from view. She was
debating whether to continue on her
way down the cliff or to wait until the
following morning.
She had lost nearly an hour and she
knew that the descent was a long and
toilsome one which would require all
day for it's completion. But having de-
cided upon the venture she could not
bear to postpone it. She felt assured
that CalthoTpe would not mention the
meeting with her and her possession II
the countersign would enable her 10
pass the guards even though she did
not return until the evening.
Without further debate upon the mat
ter she approached the edge OF the
precipice. Parting the bushes. she
made her way 70 the spot which ZanoSa
had shown her.
Here she hesitated a moment She
knew that the rock on which she stood
fell away for a sheer thousand feet and
more. At its foot the breakers dashed
against the rough, piled up masses that
had fallen from the side OF the cliff in
years past She could hear their roar
as she listened. 1t came to her here az
a faint. far of monotone. like the sound
Of the wind through a distant forest.
She knew that one false step In the
descent would send her whirliug down
upon these rocks. crushed and lifelcss
thing She dared not even look down
upon the scene. Should she do so She
would draw back IN dizzy fear
But having gone thus far. Anita was
not the girl 70 give up her attempt
With prayer upon her lips she turned
about and put her feet over the edge Of
the cliff
Clinging TO the stout bushes for sup
port, she let herself slowly down until
she felt beneath her the firm footing OF
the ledge which she had noticed on the
preceding day.