The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-12
CHAPTER V.
The Witch Woman.


Anita had not moved. had scarcely
breathed. during the narrative detailed
in the previous chapter. Straining her
cars to catch every word and pressing
one hand upon her lips to prevent an
outcry. she had remained In her cramp-
ed and uncomfortable position. which
would have been insuppOrtable at any
other time.
But so intent was she on the CONVEX
sutton that she remained silent, not
realizing where she was.
So then IL was true. what she had
felt and what the witch ZanOsa had
told her! In her veins there was the
blood OF the Gitanos ana the Moors, the
two oldest and proudest races In
civilization-the blood, too, Of kings
Yet there was no eXultation in the
girls mind at this thought. only a feel
ing OF satisfaction at learning the truth
of something she had long felt. but had
been unable TO clothe in the form or a
! tangible thought.
The latter part of the interview. with
its exciting revelations. so engrossed
Aaita's attention that she gave no
thought for the time being TO the
earlier portion of the conversion. In
fact. II was not until she had returned
to her own apartments and while the
sloop that carried the British lieutenant
was well on its way with the message
OF Andrew Courtney TO the English
admiral that this side of the subject
| occurred to Anita's mind
She had no love for the SDaniards G.
their cause. For the English. typliled
10 her mind by the personality OF her
father. she felt a fierce dislike Wnlch
is would have been hard to explain HAD
she known in earlier years what she
had learned tonight this feeling might
have been more kindly.
Under ordinary circumstances she
would have given little thought TO
strife between combatants both of whom
sbe despised. But there was Carlol II
Gibraltar fell into the hands of the
English. what effect would II have upon
him.
He had gone for re-enforcements. lie
would return to find the Rock In the
| enemy's possession. Perhaps he would
/ himself become a prisoner in their
hands. But II he came in timer
She had gathered from her fathers
conversation with the young officer that
/ IL the garrison was strengthened the
English could not hope for success. on.
| II only Carlo would return I'm time! 1t
would mean relief TO the garrison,
doubtless also promotion for him. ana
/ he had said that as soon as his rank
1 was Increased they should be married
The girl slipped from the couch and
going TO the end Of the room where
stood a little shrine with a crucifiX and
the figure Of the Virgin she prayed
| long and fervently for the safety Of her
l lover and for his quick return. In
/ spite Of her pride I'm her Moorish origin
a npTOnT
/ Catholic end no thought Of doubling the
religion OF her adopted country ever en-
/ tered her head. It was her custom TO
/ pray to the Virgin twice each day and
/ sometimes oftener still
But IN her present state Of mind.
prayer was not enough. She must
have action She wondered whether
she could do anything 10 hasten the re-
turn OF Mertez, and so make more Ger
tain the result which she so much de-
sired.
! She had resolved to consult with the
witch Zanosa. under some excuse when
she visited the Virgins shrine. accord
! ing to her custom.
! With this possibility IN mind. though
stHl only partly decided, she mounted
! the steep path that led 10 the summit
! Of the rock before her accustomed hour
/ on the day following.
/ She would pay her usual devotiOns and
perhaps when they were finished she
would take the narrow path that led
I around the side Of the cliff to the point
where the gypsy witch was generally
to be seen sitting.
She was spared the necessity Of n
final decision on this point. for while
she was stilI kneeling at the rough
/ .g
the old woman behind her.
This is not the divinity to whom you
should pray 70 keep constant the heart
OF an absent lover. She cannot dover
you with the wealth or noble birth
which alone can hold him 10 you"
The girl rose from her knees and faced
about. II was in her mind TO give the
old woman a scornful response but in
truth Anita was a little afraid OF Fan
osa, who seemed TO know all her secrets
50 well
So she merely stood there her cheeks
bathed I'm angry bushes. not knowing
/ what 10 say.
Zanosa saw the confusion she had
caused and continued:
Even now If you could see him you
would understand that You have need
OF such prayers"
Anita felt little frightened at this,
but she answered boldly enough:
You cannot move me by such words
/ Even If what you say were true, II
would be impossible for you 70 know
| anything Of Il J."
Zonosa turned her piercing black eyes
! upon the girl
Il said naught Of believing" she wen,
on. 1T Is nothing 20 me whether you
believe or not. But you know full well
that my vision Is not as that of others
! l have told You truth before when you
! thought that it was not so.
They call me a witch. Why? Be
cause l sec what their poor blind eyes
cannot penetrate. That is the only rea-
son And so I tell you that at this very
moment l see your lover taking leave