The Washington times., 1904-06-19
Bv E. w. MAYO.
Story of the Rock the Grim Guardian the Portals of the
Mediterranean, and Enbodying Romance in Which Cupid
and Mars Played Equal Parts. - ~ es ~ *

parture that the senorita timidly ap-
preached him as he stood before an open
window of one of the rooms watching
the new moon, which was displaying its
slender circle in the Western sky. The
old don was sleeping I'm his chair.
Il have a parting favor to ask OF you.
Senior Mertrez," she said, hesitatingly.
''Aught that lies within my power to
do for you viii be but a pleasure for
me" he answered CALAMITY
The girl had been concealing some
thing in her hand. She now held It for
ward and the lieutenant saw that It was
q locket.
1T is my picture she said. simply.
Not thing of great value, but one
that my cousin. who is an artist, paint
ed on ivory for me a short time since.
Think you that it is like me?'
Mertrez held out his hand and drew
nearer to her.
''Ahl' he exclaimed. Am I to have
the happiness and the honor Of
Paula drew back the Iocket which she
had held out and looked at him with
plain reproof In her serious eyes.
NO" said she. steadily. mot that. II
you wear any picture In your heart OF
upon your breast 1t should be that OF
your Anita!"
Anita" exclaimed Mertroz in aston
ishment. What know you of herr"
He was 80 utterly taken back that
Senorita Cassava could not help smiling
at him as she replied:
Il know no more than you told me
Senior Lieutenant. while you were I'll
and that is that you love her and she
is very beautiful
Aye. that she is" responded Mer.
trez. manfully. but not more good mol
more beautiful than yourself. senorita
for that were impossible"
Il hope that you may both be very
| happy all your lives" said Paula softly
and may you love her truly, as 1 an
sure that she does you" She paused 6
moment and then went on:
And now, senior. the favor that
would ask is this: There Is among tn
officers at Gibraltar certain Captain
Silvela. Perhaps you know him" Mer
] trez bowed assent
1--WE have been-fond of each othe
for long time" continued the girl
My father has not yet consented I
our marriage. but trust that he VT
do so. Meanwhile l cannot write, and
l'wo8:4 send to my-my friend. this littl
I token 10 show that I am stfll thInkiu
of MIN. and to remind him, perhaps
sometimes, to think of me-"
She blushed prettily over the fns
words. and then went on:
cit contains only the picture tina
you see and brief scrap of writing in
side the case. VIII you. Senior Lieuten
ant. undertake TO deliver this to CAP
tain Silvela? II you will yourself sc
that It comes to his own hands / wi
pray for a blessing upon you always.
Mertrez bowed low above the senc
rita's hand as he took the locket
with my own hands shall delive
IL TO him" he said in tones OF the great
est sincerity. land I doubt not that h
will be the happiest man in the king
dom when he receives IL and knows tha
1t is from you"
And now. senior. ! viii bid you GOO
night. May the Holy Mother bless yo
and carry you safely upon your jou1
ney, May you return In safety to yoI
Anita" she added with a smile. thong
there were tears In her eyes as 81
thought of her own lover and the wear
weeks that were likely TO pass befol
she could hear OF him again.
With another soft good night" 81
was gone. leaving Mertrez 10 gaze aft.
her in frank admiration Of the gent
tact with which she had reminded hi
} OF the absent Anita Then. blowing
kiss to the distant moon for Anita he
self. he sought his own couch.