The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1905-12-21
The poniard fell from her hand.


Thou hast taken me; | thank thee"
she murmured thinking the battle won
as he swept her once more i'll his arms.
This time he bent his head to her up
turned face and pressed kiss after
kiss upon the trembling lips. 1t was
the first time. and they abandoned
themselves to their transports with all
the fire of their long restrained pas
sion.
And is this the honor of Captain
Alvarado." cried stern voice as the
viceroy entered the room-"my officer
in whom I trusted? Death and fury
Donna Mercedes. what do you hereT'
''The fault is mine.' said Alvarado
stepping between the woman he loved
and her Infatuated father. Il found
Donna Mercedes i'll the cabinet when
| came in. She strOve to fly. | de
tanned her-by force. l poured into
her ear tale of my guilty passion.
Mine is the fault. She repulsed me
She drove me off,
THE dagger at your feet?''
'She snatched it from me and Swore
to bury it in her heart unless l left
her. | alone am guilty
Thou villain, Thou false friend
shouted the viceroy. whipping out his
sword He was beside himself with
fury. but there was characteristic
touch of magnanimity about his next
action. So handsome. so splendid. SO
noble. in spite of his degrading con
fesSion. did the young man look that
he gave him Il chance.
Draw your sword. Captain Alva-
RADIO for as / live | shall run YOU
through
Alvarado's hand went to his belt;
he unclasped it and threw it aside.
There lies my sword. 1 am dishon-
ored," he cried Strike and end il
ALL
Not So screamed Mercedes. whH
had heard us if in a daZe. lie hath
not told the truth. He hath lied for
me. l alone am guilty | heard him
praying here i'll the still night ana I
came in. not he. | threw myself into
his arms. | begged him to take me
away He spoke of his love and
friendship for you. for Don Felipe. his
honor. his duty. did indeed seize the
dagger. but because though he loved
me he would still be true. ON my
head be the shame. Honor this gen
tleman. my father. as love him"
She flung herself ut her fathers feet
and caught his hand.
Il love him. she sobbed Il love
him.
rs this true, Captain Alvarado:"
would she had not said So" an
swered the young man gloOmily.
is 1t true
Il cannot deny it. my lord. and yet
am the guilty one. | was on the point
Of yielding. Had you not come in we
should have gone away"
Yet you had refused!"
IL -hesitated."
refused my daughter. And you.
shameless girl. you forced yourself up
on him-threw yourself into his arms:"
Yes. / loved him. DidSt never love
in thine own day. my father: Ddst
ing compared to what beats and thrObs
here"
but Don Felipe"
He is II gallant gentleman. love
him not oh. sir
Press your daughter no further. Don
Alvaro. She is beside herself" gasped
OFT Alvarado hoarsely Ills all my
fault. | loved her so deeply that she
caught the feeling in her own heart
When | am gone she will forget me
You have raised me from obscurity:
you have loaded me with honor; you
have given Inc every opportunity. l will
be true. | will be faithful to you.
Twill be death. but l hope it may
come quickly. Misjudge me not, sweet
lady. Happiness smiles not upon my
passion: sadness marks me for her
own. | pray twill he but for little
Sibacp Give me some work To do that