The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-20

Don Q's gaze held her; he had stabbed
that horse himself
"Then man. a lover, came to my
Lucia. He was abitious and her fortune
meant much to him; but you see il was
all gone. The marriage was arranged;
then my father could no longer hide the
truth" She faltered. Il thought my darl-
ing-she was younger than l, senor-would
break her heart. All, but worst came.
They met secretly and she went away.
For a long time we did not know where
she was MY father died of grief. Then |
got a message from a stranger. and hur-
ried to Paris; but | found her dead my
little Lucia; dead of want and sorrow,
with her lovers letters on her heart"
She touched the chiefs breast.
He took her hand and kissed 1t with
fine reverence
You. who never saw her dear face, are
sorry for her. The girls voice had the
penetrating thrill of harpstring. Il
would hav killed Diego Palomoro with my
own hands If | could; but I was help
less until | thought of a way
provision of irremediable evil came
upon Don @. He made her a gesture to
continue.
II had one weapon left Do you blame
me that l used it? l knew a secret l
learned seven years ago In convent
in Castillo, where l was brought up. I
to keep 1t, but"
First how did you learn it?'
From the mother superior of the con-
vent.
dreadful change passed over the
chiefs face.
Enough! You are lying to met
She fell on her knees before him.
Hear me. | swear-let me tell you
how I heard it. 1t was when she could
III a. Cln I o1x we
her favorite and when she feared de-
lrium, she directed that I alone should
stay with her. In the night she wan
dered, and I--heard-all.
She hesitated, then rushed on.
81 promised her l would never speak
o, Mother of Heaven, forgive mel Aft
erward she gave me the signet ring to
bury out of sight, for 1t was to her an
occasion of mortal sin. ] loved her.
senior, she was so sad and beautiful. I
could not part with It, I kept 1t for
her sake because l loved her"
Yet you could betray herr
Dona Anita rocked upon her knees in
passion of sobs. Theh suddenly she
sprang up defiant.
"If it were to do again I should do it!
A thought came to me that I had one
weapon left. You forbade me to whis-
per that name to these dead walls. What
if have told it to living ears? I was
right she laughed exultantly. az went
to Diego: | spoke to him of Lucia. He
Knocked me! Then l told him the secret
your secret"
"Why?"
Because I knew that by doing so I
was securing on my side the fiercest
champion in Spain"
Don Q's head fell on his breast. You
might have done the one without the
other" he said sadly But finish.'
II told him because | knew the man
who heard that secret must die. You
will kill him?" she cried out. 81 boosted
| to him that 1t would be his death SEN
| tence."
and he?"
He swore on the contrary that l had
made his fortune" she walled.
The chief moved alertly. Good, He will
not share his knowledge until he first
did you see him.
To-day He is at his farm, six leagues
away, where he came to look over the
| herd of bulls he bought from"
| "Yes-yes. Farewell, Dona Anita, wish
| you had trusted ME before you betrayed
| me-"
She clasped his arm. kill mel deserve
| IT. But for Lucia's sake | would do the
same thing again XIII me!''
Don @. gently pushed away the cling
| ing hands.
| az cannot deny that you have deserved
| punishment" he said, "for you have done
worse than kill a man; you have perhaps
! killed a very ancient and noble name.
| Yet you were made with your sorrow. and
| you are but q woman. Farewell, Dona
. Anita. | go to find this Diego, who has