The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-24

DILLIN 6 H "A NJ c . NJ p a r.
of Donna Mercedes, and the hand
which signed his name beneath her
fathers as the principal witness was
as steady as if it held merely the sword
in some deadly combat He endured
passiyely the affectionate greetings Of
the happy De Tobar, who was lntod-
Gated at the assurance afforded by the
berothal of the coming realization of
all his hopes. He sustained with firm
ness the confidence Of the yiceroy and
the admissions De Lara made to him
in private Of his pleasure in the suit
able and fortunate marriage which
was there arranged. He even bore
without breaking one long, piteous ap-
zeal which had been shot at him from
the black eyes Of the unhappy Mer-
cedes.
TO her he seemed naturally
cold and Indifferent He was so strong,
so brave, so successful. She had count
ed upon some interposition from him,
but the snow capped Andes We're no
colder than he appeared, their granite
sides no more rigid and unsympathetic.
1t was with feeling almost Of anger
and resentment at last that she had
signed the betrothal contract.
But the restraint on the man was
more than he could bear. Pleading in
disposition, he early begged leave to
withdraw from the festivities which
succeeded the completion Of the be-
trothal ceremony and the retirement
Of the ladies. At the suggestion Of the
viceroy, who said he desired to consult
with him later in the evening, he went
into the deserted cabinet Of the latter.
The palace was built In the form Of
a quadrangle around an open patio. A
balcony ran along the second story,
passing the yiceroy's cabinet, beyond
which was his bedroom and beyond
that the apartments Of bis daughter.
The rain had ceased and the storm had
spent itself. It was a calm and beau
ttful night. The moon, shining with
tropic splendor through the open wiz
dow, dispensed with the necessity Of
lights. There was no one In the cabi-
net when he entered, and he felt at
last able to give way to his emotion.
Mercedes, though she was not mar
ried, was now lost to him beyond re-
course. After the women withdrew
from the hall with Donna Mercedes
there was no restraint put upon the
young mobiles, and from the other side
of the patio came the sound Of uproari-
Gus revelry and, feasting, his friends
and comrades with generous cheer fe-
licitating the happy bridegroom that
was to be. Alyarado was alone, un-
disturbed, forgotten, and likely to re-
main so. He put his head upon his
hands and groaned in anguish.
ssWhy should it not have been I % he
murmured. -Is he stronger, braver, a
better soldier? Does he love her more:
Riches? Can I not acquire them?
Fame? Have I not large measure?
Birth? All. that is it! Ny father! My
mother. If could only know! How
she looked at me! What piteous ap-
peal in her eyes. What reproach when
/ stood passive, cased in iron, with a
breaking heart! Mercedes. Merce-
des.v'
In his anguish he called the name
aloud. So absorbed and preoccupied
in his grief had he been that he was
not aware Of a figure softly moving
along the balcony in the shadow. He
did not hear football coming through
the open window that gave into the
room. He did not realize that he had
an auditor to his words. witness to
his grief, until a touch soft as a snow
fake fell upon his fair head and a
voice for which he languished whis-
pered in his ear:
'sYou called me. / am come"
s.Senorita Mercedes he cried, lift
ing his head and gazing upon her in
startled surprise. 'How came you
here?" be added brusquely, catching
her hands with a fierce grasp in the
intensity Of his emotion as he spoke.
SIS this my greeting?" she answer
ed, surprised in turn that he had not
instantly swept her to his heart.
She strove to draw herself away,
and when he perceived her intent he
opened his hands and allowed her
arroc to foT nv har side
81 have been mistaken" she went on
piteously. II am not wanted"
She turned away and stood full in
the silver bar Of the moonlight stream
ing through the easement. Her white
face shone in the light against the dark
background Of the huge empty room
that face with its aureole Of soft,
dark hair, the face Of saint, pale yet