The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-09-21


She hesitated-and was lost.
A hand closed upon her wrist with
crushing force and voice low and
tense with emotion cried: Il have
my answer, Senorita, but remember
my OATH am here to keep it,
Your oath" she murmured, at
tempting to throw off his hand, your
OATH"
Then the recollection aroused her;
she swept back the thick hair from
her high forehead and turned upon
him. righteous indignation visible in
every feature.
Your OATH" she repeated, scornful-
ly; have you not already forfeited
al claims upon me? Have you not
left me neglected these many years ?
Did you think none other would seek
me? Am l so ugly as that? Senior,
a broken heart is healed only by an
other love. Is it strange, then, that
should love another? And my prom
Use" She paused abruptly and again
that thoughtful look came into her
eyes
She glanced at that tall, handsome
figure before her. drawn up to it's full
height, the bold, black eyes gazing
into her own, and her mind wandered
off to that day, ten years before, when
she had last seen him in old Madrid.
She remembered the promise given
that day; but ten years was long
time and she had given up all hope
and was now to be the bride of an
other But did she love the other?
"Oh! Unzar." she cried, Il know
not what to say. l thought you had
forgotten me. l have heard nothing
from you since that day ten years
ago. Felipe wanted me and IL"
And do you love this-this Felipe?"
he burst out, his face flaming.
God help me. no, no, no! |
almost hate him." Her eyes were
swimming, her brown hands doubled
into little fists.
But, UNFAIR" she continued, clutch
ing his arm, her emotion forgotten in
an instant. You must not stay here,
for should he see you he would either
kill you or force you to fight. In
either case it would be death, for no
one has escaped him yet
You forget, Mona, that l am mas
ter of the art and he touched his
knife.
But Felipe uses only pistols" she
cried. Unzar's face darkened.
Il care not what he uses" he
vociferated. 81 would fight him with
any weapon. 1 must fight him, for 1
have sworn you shall be my bride"
And l swear she will mott"
Mona stified a scream, and even I'm
Ear recoiled a step at this unexpected
retort. The intruder was Felipe, at
tired in all his glory, skin-tight panta-
looms, with silver buttons up and
down the legs; yellow boots with high
heels set off with silver spurs, short
coat with gold buttons and broad
brimmeo, high-crowned sombrero COW
cred with silver braid. He was tall
and wiry, his eyes black and piercing
and his face, usually expressionless,
now wore an ugly look. For a mo-
ment the men gazed at each other in
silence.
by what right to you swear?" de.
mdnQeQ UnZar.
81 am her accepted suitor," replied
Felipe.
Il claim a previous right" declared
Unzar.
That for your right" sneered Fe.
lipe, blowing cloud of smoke into the
others face.
You will pay for that, you peon, '
4,;n l;x,;1
your time and place
Felipe smiled scornfully.
AT sunrise beyond the eucalyptus
grove-with pistols"
Mona uttered low cry at the last
word, which brought that wolfish
smile to Felipe's lips.
Il will not disappoint you, senor,"
said Unzar.
Farewell, Them sneered Felipe
Il will leave you with your"
Unzar's hand unconsciously sought
his knife, and Felipe smiled as he
backed through the doorway, the word
unspoken.
The first grey streaks of dawn were
just visible in the eastern sky when
two figures emerged from the grove
of eucalyptus trees and glanced about.
One was a gray-haired man bent with
age, his companion a tall, erect figure,
whose face was covered with mask
of black silk. The old man was Tony,
the keeper of the inn where Unzar
had passed the night; he was yet but
half awake, and as he sank down on
the ground to wait his head nodded
and soon fell forward, his chin rest
ing on his chest. The other stood
near, toying idly with pistol glanc-
ing now and then toward the trees
that hid from view the town, and
listening intently at the least sound.
And so Felipe and his two companions
found them just as the sun threw his
first golden rays into the valley. For
a brief moment they Sazed upon the
scene in silence, then broke into loud
laughter, which aroused old Tony
who scrambled to his feet.
why does the senior wear mask %
asked Felipe, striding toward the old
man, who met him half way
That he may not be recognized