The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1906-11-27


She hesltated-and was lost.
A hand closed upon her wrist with
crushing force, and a voice low and
tense with emotion cried Il have
my answer, Senorlta. but remember
my Oath-I am here to keep It."
Your GATH she murmured. at
tempting TO throw of his hand. your
oathl"
Then the recollection aroused her;
she swept back the thick hair from
her high forehead and turned upo
him, righteous indignation visible In
every feature.
your OATH" she repeated, sc )rnful
iy; have you not already forfeited
all claims upon NE? Have you not
left me neglected these many years?
Did you think none other would seek
me? Am | so ugly as that? Senor,
q broken heart is healed only by an
other love. Is it strange. then, that
j should love another? And my prom
ise-" She paused abruptly and again
that thoughtful look came into her
eyes.
She glanced at that tall, handsome
figure before her, drawn up to its 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 q 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?
"Ohl Unzar," she cried. Il know
not what to say. | thought you had
forgotten me. | 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.
"I-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 1t would be death, for no
one mas escaped MIN 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. Il would fight him with
any weapon. | must fight him, for /
have sworn you shall be my BRIDE"
"And / swear she will noti"
Mona stiled 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 OF with silver spurs, a short
coat with gold buttons and a broad.
brimmed, high-crowned sombrero Gov
cred with silver braid. He was tall
and wiry, his yes 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.
manded Unzar.
Il am her accepted s%uitor," replied
Felipe.
Il claim a previous right" declared
Unzar.
THAT for your right" sneered Fe
1ipe, blowing a cloud of smoke into the
others face.
"You will pay for that. you peon.
cried Unzar, llvid with rage Name
your time and place"
Felipe smiled scornfully.
AT sunrise beyond the eucalyptus
grove with pistols"
Mona uttered a low cry at the last
word. which brought that wolfsh
smile 10 Felipe's lips.
Il win not disappoint you, senor,'
said Uazar.
Farewell, then" sneered Felipe
II will leave you with your"
Unzar's hand unconsciously sought
his knife. and Felipe smiled as he
backed through the doorway. the worG
unspoken.
The FIRST grey .streaks OF dawn were
Just visible In the eastern sky wher
two figures emerged from the grove
of eucalyptus trees and glanced about
One was a g~ray-haired man bent we'll
age. his companion a tall, erect figure
whose face was covered with a masl
OF black silk. The old man was Tony
the keeper OF the inn where Unzal
had passed the night; he was yet blu
half awake, and as he sank down OF
the ground to wait his head nodded
and soon fell forward, his chin rest
ing on his chest. The other stoot
near. toying idly with a pistol, glanc
Ing now and then toward the tree,
that hid from view the town. an
listening ~intently at the least sound
And so Felipe and his two companion
found them just as the sun threw hi
first golden rays into the valley. Flo
a brief moment they gazed upon th
scene In silence, then broke into lou
laughter. which aroused old Tony
who scrambled to his feet.
why does the senior wear a mask?
asked Felipe. striding toward the oil
man, who met him half way.