Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1905-12-30


1 tween the kisses he poured out words
!! that were even greater caresses.
The others were far behind. They
were alone upon the mountain side
/ with the rocks behind and the great
| sapphire sea of the Caribbean before
! them. He held her close to his breast
! and they forgot everything but love as
/ they gently pricked along the road. Il
/ was near noon now, and, as the road q
/ furlong farther debouched into an open
/ plateau shaded by trees and watered
by running brook which purled down
| the mountain side from some inaccessi
BILE cloud swept height, it was fitting
| place to make camp, where the whole
| party, tired by a long mornings tray
/ ell, could repose themselves until the
breeze of afternoon tempered the heat
! of the day Here he dismounted, lift
| ed her from horse, and they stood to-
| gether side by side
| You have saved me-" she whispered.
"You have drawn me back from the
death that sought. God has given me
to you. We shall never be parted.
81 am a false friend, an ungrateful
servitor, a forsworn man, perjured
soldier!' he groaned, passing his hand
over his pale brow as if to brush away
the idea consequent upon his words.
'.But thou hast my love-" she whis-
pered tenderly, swaying toward him
again
..Yes-yes. Would that it could crown
something else than my dishonor.'
"Say not So"
81 had been faithful he went on as
if in justification, .'had / not seen thee
on the brink Of that cliff, and then
thou vert in my arms-I was lost !.
"And I was found. leaped to death.
I shut my eyes as l drove the horse
toward the cliff, and l awakened to
find myself in your arms-in heaven!
Let nothing take me hence"
cit cannot be- he said. II must go
to the viceroy when he returns from
the Orinoco war and tell him that
have betrayed him.
ct will tell him." she answered, cor
wilt thou tell him what I tell theew
she went on.
Surely
"Then say to him that sought
death rather than be given to Don
Felipe or to any one else. Tell him you
saved me Oh the very brink Of the cliff
and that never soldier made better
fight, for field or flag than thou didst
make for thy honor and duty, but that
[ broke thee down. / had the power,
and l used it. The story is as old as
Eden-the woman tempted
81 should have been stronger1 l
should not have weakened. But /
shall fight no more. 1t is all over
"Ah, thou canst not" she whispered,
nesting closer to him. ''And tell my
father that should harm come to thee
if in their anger he or De Tobar lay
hand upon thee-it will not advantage
their plans, for swear, if there be no
other way, l will starve myself to
death to follow theew
II cannot shelter myself behind a
woman"
"Then l will tell them both myself"
she cried. ''You shall know, they shall
know, how Spanish woman can love-"
Sand thou shalt know. too" answer
ed Alvarado firmly, that though |
break my heart I, an unknown, can
expatiate my guilt with all the pride
Of most ancient lineage and birth
highest of them ALL
1t was brave speech, but he did not
release his hold upon Mercedes, and
in spite Of his words when, confident !
hot no o;rpb%
he might struggle, he was hers at last, |
she smiled up at him again. He kissed |
her.
when go you to my father, Senior
A1varado?" she asked.
"When he returns from the Orinoco."
"And that will not be until
Perhaps month
"Wilt love me until then?"
II shall love thee forever"
may, but wilt thou tell me so, with
every day, every week, every hour, ev
FRY moment, with kisses like to these"
ooh, tempt me not!' he whispered.
But he returned again and again her
.aresses
"Ah, my Alvarado, if you have once
ALLEN, what then? Is not one kiss as
,ad as a thousand?"
s'Be it so. We will be happy until
hat time
zone month one month of heaven,
ny love. After that let come what
nay" she answered, her cheeks and
yes afame, her heart throbbing with
he exquisite pain in her breast.
Some one approaches!' he said at
asst. And at the same moment the rest
# the party came around the bend Of
he road. The poor duenna was con-
umed with anxiety and remorse.
Bernardo" said Alyarado to the SER
,eant, I'VE viii take our siesta here.
Jnsaddle the horses and prepare the
loonday meal under the trees. Send
ne Of the troopers ahead to bid F'a-
rique stop on the road until we rejoin
i'm, keeping good guard. Sonora Aga
ida, you must be tired from the long
r 80. L. IL \