The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-31

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De Lara, and she was senseless. The
other was almost my son. knew him.
He had proved himself. I could trust
him.
Your excellency, I thank your cried
Avarado, seizing the hand Of the old
nobleman and carrying it to his lips.
You said you loved her." said De
Tobar, turning to Alvarado.
sAnd so I do" answered Alvarado.
"But who could help it? It is an in
lection have caught from my friend"
.Have you spoken words Of love to
her? Have you pleaded with her? Did
You meet here by appointment"
sDon Felipe, cried Donna Mercedes,
who had kept silent at first, hardly
comprehending, and then holding her
breath at the denouement, 1hear me!
Captain Alvarado's manner to me has
been coldness Itself he scarcely
manifested the emotion Of friend"
e She spoke with a bitterness and re-
sentiment painfully apparent to Alya-
rado, but. which in his bewilderment
Don Felipe did not discover.
Il swear to you, senor,' she went on
cunningly, until this hour I never
heard him say those words, I love
you But this scene is 100 much for
me. cannot bear it Help me hence.
Nay, neither Of you gentlemen. With
Sonora Agapida's aid I can manage.
Farewell. When you wish to claim
me, Don Felipe. the betrothal shall be
carried out, and I shall be yours.
Good night"
De Tobar sprang after her and caught
her hand raising it respectfully to his
lips.
.sNow, senor," he cried, turning back,
eve can discuss this question unhin-
dered by the presence Of the lady. You
said you loved her. How dare you, a
man Of no birth, whose very name Is
an assumption, lift your eyes so high?'
.This from you, my friend" cried
AlvaraGo, winter than ever at this in
suit
"sir,'' interposed the voice Of the
viceroy, restrain yourself. 'Tis true
we know not the birth or name Of this
young man whom I have hcnored with
my confidence, upon whom you have
bestowed your friendship, but he hath
ever shown himself-and have watch
ed him from his youth-a gentleman, a
Spanish gentleman whom all might en-
ulate You wrong him deeply
"But he loved her.
"What Of that?" answered the vice
roy.
"Aye," cried Alyarado, 'sI do love her,
and that I make no secret Of it from
you proves the sincerity of my soul.
Who could help loving her, and much
less man in my position? Eor, in SO far
as was proper in a maiden, she has been
kind to ne since was a boy. cher
ish no hopes, no dreams. no ambitions.
I locked my passion within my breast
and determined to keep it there though
it killed me. Tonight, with her help
less at my feet, thrown on nay pity, it
was wrung from me. but I swear to
you by my knightly honor. by that
friendship that hath subsisted between
US of old, that from this hour those
words shall never pass my lips again;
that from this.hour shall be as silent
as before. Oh, trust me! am sadly
torn. Thou hast all, nothing. If thou
canst not trust mel bade you strike
before. strike now and end it all. Your
excellency, bid him strike
'7Thy life is not thine" answered the
older man. 'It belongs to Spain. We
have fallen on evil times and thy coun-
try needs thine arm. Thou hast said
Alright. Senor de Tobar,'' be cried, 'he
is thy friend Take him back to thy
affection. am an old man and ia
ther, but were 1 young and one so
beautiful crossed my path as Donna
Mercedes-by Our Lady he hath excuse
for anything. He speaks the truth,
though it be to his own hurt. Canst
stand unmoved. senor, in thy happiness
before such misery as that?"
Dominique, forgive mew cried De
Tobar. 81 was wrong. am ashamed.
Thou couldst not help it. l forgive
thee. I love thee STILL
He made as if to embrace his friend,
but Alvarado held him off.
"Wilt trust me fully, absolutely en-
tirely?"
"With all my life," answered De To-
bar.
Thou shalt be tried" said the vice
roy. eve march toward the Orinoco in
three days. had proposed to establish
Donna Mercedes at La Guayra under
! care Of Alvarado."
''Not now, your excellency! cried the
vc!lno