The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1906-08-23

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with irresistible power. who dazes the
Mexican By the brilllancg OF his nc.
lions, and presently brushes him to the
door with several sledge-hammer
blows that render the Inundated and
doomed athlete almost ~senseless.
One figure Colonel Bob has not no
tlced hefore-it is that OF Miss Paul.
inc, who has been standing iust be-.
yond a table. She now darts forward,
and when Dick turns after so quickly
disposing Of barcelona, he discovers
her bending over the fallen girl, en-
deayorlng with trembling hands TO
sianch the flow OF blood.
"Was-he-hurt?" the Edexican girl
gasps.
dick? No. no-you saved him,
dearest Juanita."
For you. / ought to hate you. Paul
inc Westerly. for o have stolen what
thought belonged TO me. but I cannot
DO Il; where I would hate I lOve-I
know not why" gasps the stricken
girl.
Dick reaches her sideAupon his
face Is the deepest concern, but Juan
tia smiles.
1t Is just sc well-I could never
have lived and been happy knowing
y on loved her. Now I have saved You
for your Pauline. I gave my life
twas all l had. This Is fate-it was
my destiny 10 suffer"
A groan is heard. but Il does not
proceed from the dying girl senior
Lopez struggles to raise himself. and
manages to gain a position where he
can look upon the face OF his child
his lips move, and they hear him utter
strange words;
1T is the decree OF fatel She saves
him for the other. Come closer. you
against whom Manuel Lopez has
fought 70 b~itterly-come 10 my side
and hear the news l would tell you.
The old Mexican's strength is fast
leaving him. and Il is only a question
OF time when he must yield up the
ghost. He realizes this himself, and
musters all his powers to aid him.
Pauline Westerly. before 1 die 1
would hear 0 say you forgive me.
The fierce desire to see my family re-
gain its old time prestige must be my
only excuse for doing what | have
done. With the III Dorado in my
hands could have stirred up all Mex
leo, and perhaps placed myself in the
chair the usurper Diaz holds. ! am
proud. but when death hovers near ail
pride Is leyeled. beg that you viii
forgiYe-it Is easier TO do so because
eli OF my plans have proven failures.
Rest in peace, Senior Lopez. l can
not comprehend how a man OF honor
can war upon a girl for the sake Of
power; but Heaven has seen NJ to BAT
ne your purposes. snd far be Il from
Pauline Westerly to cherish feelings
Of malice against a defeated enemy. /
only grieve because this wicked
scheming has brought one you love 20
pain and sorrow. perhaps death. Poor
%Juanita!" and she strokes the luxur-
liant hair OF the Mexican maid tenderIy
as she sreaks. while over the face OF
the dying girl there passes a look that
Is akin to holy love.
The old senior experiences a new
sensation-tears How from his eyes
he weeps.
Strange, mysterious decree OF
Providence. that one should die 10
make the other happy. who can say
the hand OK Fate is not in il all" he
mutters
Dick and Bob exchange giauees
Surely the old senior must be feeling
tho cold hand Of approaching dlssolu.
ton; he ravesi They continue 10 lis.
ten and hear more strange things.
"Senogtta Pauline. I am about 10
make a disclosure that Will give you
Joy and yet bring PERHAPS the keenest
pain. solemnly assert that I dld not
myself suspect the truth untl very re-
Gently. and Il was my intention 10 utn.
Ice the fact n the plans which cuImin.
ated 80 di%sastrously this night failed
TO place me In possession Of the
Niue"
Pauline hears and holds her breath
In suspense. What news can he I'm
part that VIII bring to her the greatest,
OF JOY and the keeneat OF suneringg
Il learned In Paris what your mis-
sion was, and having already an ink.
ling Of the truth ! set about discover
Ing facts. Years ago. for revenge upon
sour father ] hired a woman 10 steal
away your little sister Beuiah; 1t vas
believed she was drowned; / myself
never doubted q. Tor the woman wore
10 the fact when ! paid her. Yeark
later this same woman entered my
employ again-she brought with her 4
fhild 20 whom I took a strange fancy
II adopted her"
"Merciful heavenl" cries Pauline
bending upon the dying Juanlia a look
Of startled eagerness and supreme
anguish-"that child-Juanlta-"
Il have since discovered Is the Ben
lah stolen from your father in the
past Autolnetto Duyal. staud forward
and testify 10 the truth ~ my words.
HWhat senOr Lopez has stated Is
The truth. every word. Mon Dieul J.
hope ! may be- pardoned for the part /
HH.aU a.. a.. j.