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


The distance was too great.
The effect Of this incident upon the
girls overwrOught nerves was to leave
ha- for the time utterly incapable Of
movement. She was so near death that
II seemed to her that the next step must
be her last.
She prayed mutely TO the Virgin for
help. She thought over the purpose of
her journey. thu prospect OF seeing her
lover at its end. In this manner she
treasured herself tafter a time and
forced herself 10 proceed.
A little further on, the wall OF rock
began 10 swim before her eyes. She
feared that she was about 10 faint To
lose control OF herself for n single in
slant in that place meant that she
would topple over the brink of the cliff
10 certain destruction.
Summoning all her energies, Anita
desperately managed to retain control
OF her senses until she reached a spot
where the ledge widened somewhat
Here she cast herself down at full
length. and close against the wall as she
could force herself and partly screened
by some low bushes.
She was not wholly unconscious. She
remembered afterward thinking In a
duh. impe-sonal sort of way whether
she would ever be able TO rise and go on
or whether her body would be found
there long afterward. She was over
come by the strain of her undertaking
and presently fell into a troubled sleep.
She could not have slept long. for the
sun was still two hours or more from
the meridian when she reused herself.
In spite Of the discomfort caused by her
hard couch and merciless heat, she felt
much refreshed.
Her nerves were no longer on edge and
the fear which had really been her
greatest obstacle had entirely departed.
The Virgin must indeed have helped
me" she thought. delightedly. as she
once moro set out upon her way.
From this point the journey became
much less difficult The descent was
more gradual and for the greater part
Of the way the ledge was broad enough
10 permit her TO walk forward at a fair
y good pace.
Anita found that II was no longer nee
essary to cling TO the rock and TO feel
her way for every step. After the toll
Ing progress Of the early part of the
journey her advance seemed delightfully."-
rapid
Her spirits rose. She was able to for
get her own discomfort and WEAKNESS
and 10 think OF the surprise and delight
which Carlo would feel at seeing her.
The roar OF the waves at the base Of
the cliff came steadily nearer, but it
sounded terrible to her no longer. The
cool breath Of the water came up and
famed her heated face until her fatigue
WAS almost forgotten.
AT the foot OF the path she found
clear stream that issued from the side
OF the rock and fell into the sea. 1t vas
too wide for her TO step across, but
withou- hesitation she sat down, re-
moved Ter shoes ard stockings, and
carrying them IN her hand walked into
the stream.
The rock that formed the bed of the
brook hurt her feet and caused her to
vince with pain once or twice, but the
water itself was delightfully."- cool and
refreshed her much.
On the farther side of the stream
Anita sat down and proceeded TO make
an inprovlsed toilet. She bathed her
face and neck In the cool water, washed
the blood stains from the cruel cuts
upon her hands and brushed back her
hair.
Then. womanhSe, she turned atten-
ton TO her torn gown. and by processes
which only feminine ingenuity could
suggest. repaired the damage until il
appeared comparatively slight.
In spite OF the primitive fashion in
which all this was done. Il wrought a
remarkable transformation. Anita .yas
quite herself when she resumed her way
along the narrow natural causeway that
led along the base Of the cliff 10 the
northern point OF the promontory
The natural pf1cf1efqa fhaf hod 1.ee.t
her path being now safely behind her,
the girl set herself 10 thinking how best
70 overcome the others that might arise.
She knew that she might find difficulty
IN passing the Spanish guard who was
undoubtedly stationed at the northern
end OF the pathway. outside the little
town IN which she believed she would
find her lover
She had Thought OF this matter be-
fore her departure from home and had
provided herself with a little pouch OF
coins. She had not lived al her life IN
Gibraltar without learning that this was
the best passport 10 forbidden points
that she could present.
There was a possibility. OF course,
that the guard would refuse her money,
but Anita did not Think It likely. How
ever. she decided 20 tell him some pitt
ful story with which he might salvc his
conscience before she offered the gold.
Before she reached the main path. at
the end OF which she expected to en-
counter the sentry, she observed a fish
ermzn in a small rowbOat approaching
from the direction Of the town. At
once new plan flashed into her mind.
The fisherman was only a short dis
lance of shore when he reached a point
abreast OF the girl.
She hailed him in her strong young
voice. He paused in his rowing and
looked up in Surprise. but APPARENTLY he
did not understand what was wanted.
II was only after much frantic sig
mailing on Anlta's part that he finally
put his boat about and came in some
what nearer the shore.
Anita held Up two OF her golden coins
and motioned to herself. the boat and
back toward the town from which she
had come.
Here was a language that the fisher
man had no difficulty IN comprchending.
After a brief parley he motioned 10 the
girl 10 go a little further along the
path to a point where the shore was