Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-05-09

 glance before which the poor duenna quailed, for her charge had never shown such spirit before, Mercedes struck her Spanish jennet with the whip she carried, passed around the intervening soldier, who courteously gave way to her, and refined in her steed by Alvarado's horse. So close. indeed, was she to the captain that she almost touched him. It was good to see the light leap in his eyes, the flush come into his pale cheek, as he became aware of her presence.
 Donna Mercedes!' he cried in sur prise. "Is anything wrong? Where Is the Sonora Agapida|
 Nothing is wrong. I left her there." Shall I summon herr"
 Art afraid to speak to me, to a woman, alone, Sir Captain?"
 May, senorita, but 'tis unseemly"-
 "WOuldst thou lesson me in man. ners, master soldierT cried the girl haughtily.
 God forbid, lady, but thy father
 He laid no injunction upon me teat should not speak to you, sir. Is that forbidden?"
 "Of course not, but
 But what, sir? It is your own weakness you fear? You were strong enough last night. Have you by chance repented?"
 There was such passionate eager ness in her voice and such a leaping hope for an affirmative answer in the glance she bent upon him that he could scarce sustain the shock of it. His whole soul had risen to meet hers, com ing as she came. He trembled at her propinauity. The voice of the girl thrilled him as never before. The sergeant who followed them out of respect for their condolences checked the pace of his troop horse somewhat, and the two advanced some distance from him out of earshot. The unhappy duenna watched them with anxious eyes, but hesitated to attempt to join them. Indeed, the way was blocked for such an indifferent horsewoman as she by the adroit maneuvers of the ser geant. He was devoted to his young commander, and he had surmised the state of affairs also. He would have had no scruples in facilitating a meet ing, even an elopement. The two lov- CTS, therefore, could speak unobserved, or at least unheard, by any stranger.
 "Lady," said Alvarado at last, T am indeed afraid. You make the strong weak. Your beauty-forgive me-mas- ters me. Tempt me not! can stand no more! he burst forth with vehe- mence.
 "What troubles thee, Alvarado" she said softly.
 "Thou-and my plighted word"
 "You chose honor and duty last night when you might have had me. Art still l in the same mindY' "Senorita, this subject is forbidden"
 "Stop!' cried the girl. T absolve you from all injunctions of silence. I, too, am De Lara, and In my fathers ab- sence the head of the house. The duty thou hast sworn to him thou owest me. Art still in the same mind as last night. l sayY'
 Last night I was fool!'
 And this morning?" 'T am a slave"
 "A slave to what? To whom?"
 Donna Mercedes" he cried, turning an imploring glance upon her, press me no further. Indeed, the burden is greater than I can bear."
 "A slave to whomT she went on in- slstently. She laid her hand upon his strong arm and bent her head close to- ward him. They were far from the oth- CTS now, and the turns of the winding road concealed them.
 "A slave to whom? Perhaps toner she whispered.
 Have mercy on mef' he cried. "To you-yes. But honor, duty
 Again those hateful words!" she in. terrupted, her dark face flushing with anger. Were I man. loved wom an who loved me as Las Las one you know, l would have seized her in spite of all the world! Once she had fled to the shelter of my arms. while life beat in my heart none should teaI l her thence.'
 "Thy father
 "He thinks not of my happiness"
 Say not SO, Donna Mercedes"
 "'Tis true. It is a matter of con yenient arrangement. Two ancient names. two great fortunes, cry aloud for union, and they drown the voice of the heart. I am bestowed like [ chattel."
 Don Felipe
 "Is an honorable gentleman, . brave one. He needs no defense at my hands. That much, at least. my father did. There is no objection to my suitoi save that do not love him."
 "In tIme-in time you may" gasped Alvarado.
 "Dost thou look within thine owr heart and see a fancy so evanescent that thou speakest thus to met"
 Nay. not so"
 q believe thee. and were . thousand years to roll over my head thine image would still be found here"
 She laid her tiny gloved hand upon her breast as she spoke in a low voice and this time she looked away from him. He would have given heaven and earth to have caught her yielding figure in his arms. She dropped ir the saddle beside him in q pose whicf was a confession of womanly weak