The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1904-02-16

and rumor soon spread that Sanchez
rode in every night and openly visited
her at her house.
This was what Ruiz was waiting
for, and one evening the place was
surrounded and Sanchez taken pris-
oner. He was, of course, sentenced
to be shot.
"Antonina, apparently, thought no
more of the matter. She appeared at
the theater on the following even
ing, and had never been more charm
ing. The story of her share in the
rebels capture got about, and she was
cheered whenever she was seen by the
loyalists. Ruiz was more infatuated
than ever, and was worse than helpless
in her hands.
"Ihe day that Sanchez was to be ex-
ecuted Antonina demanded of Ruiz
that he should gain permission for
her to see her former lover a.one. 1t
was not known what excuse she gave
for this seemingly strange request,
but, at any rate, it was granted her.
What took place at the interview was
never disclosed. Imme diately after it
was over Sanchez was marched into
the courtyard, placed with his face to
the wal and shot to death He met his
fate with gallant Indifference.
"Antonina watched him die, from
one of the windows, without sign of
emotion, save narrowing of the eve
lids and slight compression of the
lips. She danced that night, but can
eeled her engagement for the follow
ing week, saying she was going to leave
the city for rest.
"a few days later l happened to be
in one Of the shabbiest parts of town,
and there met a woman whose re-
semblance to the dancer was so strik-
ing that | turned and looked after her
as she passed me. She went into a
miserable looking howell and, a l loi-
tered near, hoping to solve the
mystery, she came out again, and
walked swiftly by me. This time |
was convinced'that it was Antonina.
Much puzzled at her appearance in
such a place, followed her, but soon
she disappeared down a narrow side
street, and being unfamiliar with that
part of the town I lost track Of her. .
Next day | was called away from
the city, and when 1 returned found
me social world in II state of eXpec-
tatlon over grand reception 20 be
gwen by Gen. Ruiz in honor of some
Of he American officers. The chief
attraction was the announcement
that Antonina had been engaged TO
dance for the entertainment rf the
guests. l determined to accept my
Invitation, as the woman possessed
a greet attraction for me. / was
present at the reception.
"Ihe salas were crowded with
brilliant assembly. Scores of bearri.
ful women, and the handsome Span
ISL o1lfcers in their snowy uniforms.
mingled with the more sober dress
OF our country, gave most pictur-
esque effect to the scene. r. was
nearly midnight when the dancer ar
rived She had driven directly from
the theater, and was attired in a
most magnificent costume, while on
her breast glittered the Ruiz eia-
mond. AS she came into the ball
room, she was greeted with nravos
and was showered with fowers. She
paused moment on the threshold.
and responded with a faint. half
rnocking smile. Then SLOWLY raising
her arms, she stepped forward. In
sfantly the orchestra struck M witt
the passionate music of FL Sol, ANA
the guests drew away from the cen
ter Of the room, leaving her standing
in blaze Of color and jewels alone
en- the polished floor.
81 will not attempt to describe the
oance. We watched her with deep
drawn breaths, and dizzy brains, as
she wbirled herself from the lazy
lnguor OF the beginning to tue mad
abandon at the end. Ruiz, unable t,
contain his emotions, caught up
flower that had dropped from her
hair, and, unmindful of observers.
Kissed it. She saw the act;or, anl
with a sidelong glance tore the scar
| let scarf from her waist, and. still
dancing, threw it over his neck.
Something CLEANED in her hard, ana
some instinct warned me of mischief.
/ stepped to Ruiz side. Autonina
stretched out her hand, and he'd me
| tncS, and if ever / saw the devil look
out from woman's eyes, ! saw IL
shining then between her half closed
! Ids.
'Adios, companeros. she said in
clear, ringing tones, I go to wait
for you in hell
"Withaswift motion she buried the
dagger, which had been concealed in
her hand, in her heart, and as the
last strains Of the music died away
Size fell to the floor, the wicked smile
frozen on her mouth.
Three weeks later. Cen. Ruiz and
every one of his subordinate officers
died of the most malignant kind of
smallpox. Antonina had searched
until she had found case, as we aft
oIward discovered-had exposed San.
chez sword belt to the infection. an
thus carried the infection to Ruiz,
gaining a vengeance which few
brains could have evolved. She had
loved the man whose life she had
sold for a jewel"
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