The Washington times., 1904-06-26
CHAPTER XIV.
The Path Down the Cliff.


Anita had enjoyed the presence of the
English officers. The natural bright
ness Of her mind had given her keen
interest in the affairs OF the world and
she was glad Of an opportunity TO es-
cape from her own thoughts
On the day following. however. her
misery returned. She saw plainly
enough that IL was her fathers purpose
to go away from Gibraltar. His object
in giving this dinner had been to make
himself more popular with the officers.
Perhaps, too he had thought that she
might find favor with some one among
them. for the apparently careless re-
mark which he had let fall about get
ting her a husband showed that he
was anxious TO have her marry an
Englishman.
Anita had not visited her bower upon
the hillside since the capture of the
Rock by the English She knew that
there was no hope OF meeting her lover
there now But on the day following
the dinner. feeling the need of solitude
and a chance TO think. she betook her
self once more TO her favorite nook.
She sat before the Virgin shrine for
long time, praying dumbly and with
out words, that aid might come TO her
distressed spirit. And thus at length
her mind grew calmer, although she
had not found any way out of her
troubles
At length she arose 10 her feet and
stood looking along the horizon as she
had done many times before. Her gaze
wandered across the Mediterranean with
its long. lazy rolls and remained fast
ened upon the distant blue line OF the
African shore.
She had often looked across there be-
fore. but never with such thoughts as
held her mind at present. That was
her land her country. her home. She
looked at It long and fixedly. conJuring
UP the scenes that must have surround
ed her birth.
All at once she sank down and buried
her face In her hands. sobbing convul-
sively She was thinking of the mother
whom she had never known.
She had never thought OF her before
except in dimly impersonaI way. Now
OF a sudden she seemed 10 feel all the
tragedy OF her mothers existence. If
she had only a mother now. II she could
have known a mothers care. perhaps
she would be better able to care for her
self aow!
The slender form shook with sobs
once more at the thought OF the loss
that now for the first time came home
10 her with it's full force.
But this. like most OF Anita's moods.
did not last long. She stood up pres
emily. drying her eyes and scolding her
self as she had a habit of doing for her
little outburst.
This process was practically COM
pleted before Anita noticed, on turning
her head. that Zanosa, the witch woman,
| -. 49, A,T
sympathetic. observation-disclosures glance.
The girl would have turned away
quickly. ashamed of having shown her
emotion. but the old woman addressed
her.
What IS It. my bird?" She asked the
question not unkindly. hobbling for
ward by aid OF the stout cane she car
ried. ut I'll becomes your pretty face"
she added, that your tears fall unno-
ticed. Do not weep for a lover who has
| forgotten you. as though there was only
one man I'm the world. There are better
| than he. I warrant. and who would dry
your tears right soon II you would listen
to them"
Il weep for no lover" said the girl.
angrily. But you have no right to say
such things. It is not that he has for
gotten me. He Is dead"
Dead repeated the witch woman,
with a hooking laugh. Dead! Is that
the news love brings your" Then she
went on more sharply: Know you that
| Zanosas tongue speaks only what she
knows. You say that your soldier lover
! Is dead. / say that he Is not. and that
l myself have seen him within these
! three daYs."
The girl started forward impulslvely
"Where?" she cried. Tell me- You
have seen him.
The old woman smiled grimly.
well. then. II you will know, pretty
ono, II was In the prison at the Spanish
town"
In prison. said the girl falteringly.