Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-15

D as mere perfection of the features went, but there was something in the cold glitter of the eye which to close observer of human nature would have meant that the lovely face was only the lying mask of shallow, selfish soul Yet men loved her, her beauty was to them the loadstone which drew their hearts as does the bright light to the summer moth.
 She gloried in her conquests and it was with ever increasing pride that she named those who had loved her. Her fame was universal thoughout Spain. for it was known that princes, dukes, noblemen, and even a king had loved her.
 Yet one man had baffled her, for be- meath the burning invitation of her luminous eyes he had remained cold, in. different, almost contemptuous. and be- cause of that Lopez de Servedo became almost as famous as the woman whose charm he had withstood.
 But woman of Margarita Toreno's type does not at once pronounce herself vanquished. If he could withstand her charm it was that his heart was filled by another love, love that must be killed before she could hope to conquer It did not take her long to know Lopez's se- cret, for she was rich and detectives are clever. It. was simple tale of tender love, pure and holy. The powerful Lo- peg de Servedo loved one much beneath him in social rank, one whom his proud parents would never have recognized as their equal. He had therefore married her in secret and kept his bliss and her beauty concealed in a lonely villa some distance from the noise and vice of the city.
 When Margarita heard this she had 3 cry of triumph.
 Now that I know his secret he is mine; he shall cringe at my feet and sue for the love he has scorned, but first I must get rid of her
 For week she thought; she even went so far as to visit the little villa and try with lying tale of Lopez's in fidelity to make her successful rival leave the man she wanted. Tn this she failed, and returning home. humbled by her want of success, she cried:
 ''Then there is only one way; she must die''
 A week later all Madrid was shocked by the news of mysterious murder which had been committed in lonely villa A young woman living alone with two servants was found dead one morning, dagger thrust through the heart. Margarita's we'll paid assassin had done his work.
 Lopez de Servedo did not change any, thing in his manner of living. He was still seen in his box at the opera; he still frequented the various gambling halls of the town; he drove his fast horses with the same careless grace, but could anyone have seen within his heart they would have been startled by the tragic had been the one love of his life, and had 1t not been for the hope of avenging her he would have soon rejoined her in the grave.
 After awhile his indifference toward Margarita seemed to melt His visits to her home became more freuuent and soon it was murmured that Lopez de .Servedo. had at last fallen victim to her charms. She thought so too and rejoiced.
 "I knew" she thought, "that once freed from his infatuation for that girl he would turn to me. And now he is mine. He loves me--and, yes, love him!''
 A month after the strange murder Lopez and number of young men and women were assembled in Margarita's home, for Lopez wished to proclaim in 8 public fashion his liason with the beautiful courtesan. The wine flowed freely and as its vapors mounted to the heads, jokes and laughter reigned su- preme. Only Lopez remained calm, in- different, cold.
 Margarita, intoxicated as much by the triumph of this hour as by the wine she had drunk, talked as she had never. done before, surprising all by the brilliancy of her wit, the quickness of her repar- tees.
 Dessert was served and new wines brought in. Lopez rose and with graceful gesture imposed silence. For. a moment he did not speak, as though he wished to give to all time to admire his elegant form and dark, handsome face; then he began; his voice, soft and melodious, fell on the ear like . caress:
 ''ln most banquets toasts are drank, and as this is an occasion of special joy to me, wish that we follow the GUS, tom. So appoint myself as toastmas, ter and will call on each and every one of you for a toast"
 He resumed his seat amid the bois. terous hurrahs of his companions. For awhile, in answer to Lopez's request toasts of different characters were given amid the general laughter of the guests When all had spoken someone re marked:
 ''Servedo has not spoken, and a maa loved by the peerless Margarita must have much to say"
 Lopez smiled and refilling his glass began:
 Certainly; have much to say ana will not shrink the task. I have story wish you to hear, but before relate it want you all to drink toast with