Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1906-02-03
Alvarado drove home the stroke


room. There, on his back, was stretch
ed the hideous body of the half breed
where he had fallen. There, farther
away, the unfortunate De Tobar lay,
gasping for breath, yet making no out
cry. He was leaning ON his arm and
staring across the room, with anguish
In his face not due to the wound he
had received, but a sight which broke
his heart.
'Alas, De Tobarv' cried the viceroy
'Where is Mercedes?'
He followed the glance of the dying
man. There at the other side of the
room lay PROSTATE body, and over it
bent moaning sobbing figure. 1t was
Mercedes.
''Senorita," cried one Of the officers,
don Felipe here is dying! He would
speak with you"
Mercedes suffered herself to be led
to where De Tobar lay upon the floor
One Of his comrades had taken his
head on his knee. The very seconds of
his life were numbered Lovely in her
grief, Mercedes knelt at his side, d
great pity in her heart. The viceroy
stepped close to him.
81 thank you, too'' she said. poor
Don Felipe! He and you saved me,
but at the expense of your lives.
Would God you could have been
sparedr'
"Nay," gasped the dying man. Thou
lowest him. I watched thee I heard
thee call upon his name. Thou vert
not for me, and so die willingly. He
is noble gentleman. Would he might
have won theer'
The man trembIed with the violent
effort it cost him to speak He gasped
family and strove to smile, BY an i'm
pulse for which she was ever after
grateful she bent her head, slipped her
arm around his neck, lifted him up and
kissed him. In spite Of his death agony
at that caress he smiled up at her.
/ snow" he murmured, 81 die happy
content You kissed-me- Mercedes
''He is dead" said the officer
''God rest his soul, gallant gentle
man." said the viceroy, taking off his
hat, and his example was followed by
every one in the room.
"And Captain Alvarado?" said Mer-
cedes, rising to her feet and turning to
the other figure.
''Senorita,' answered another of the
officers. she lives. See-he moves!"
A little shudder crept through the
figure of the PROSTATE captain, who
had only been knocked senseless by the
fierce blow and was otherwise unhurt.
His eyes are open! Water, quickv'
With skilled fingers begot by long
practice the cavalier cut the lacings of
Alyarado's doublet and gave him wa
ter, then q little wine. AS the young
captain returned to consciousness once
more the officers crowded around him,
the yiceroy in the center, Mercedes on
her knees again.
Mercedes" whispered the young
captain alive, unharmed?"
YES" answered Mercedes brokenly,
thanks to God and thee. ;"
"And De Tobar, generously asserted
where is hep
dead"
4"Oh. brave De Tobar! And the
city?
us ours
'sAnd Morgan?'
"Here in my hands," said the vice
roy sternly.
THANK God, thank God! And now.
your excellency, my promise. thought
as was stricken down there would be
no need for you to-
.'Thou hast earned life, Alyarado, not
death, and thou shalt have it.
'Senors,' said Alvarado, whose faint
ness was passing from him, I broke
my plghted word to the viceroy and
Don Felipe de Tobar. | love this lady
and was false to my charge. Don Al
varo promised me death for punish
ment, and / crave 1t. / care not for
life Without.
And did he tell thee why he broke
his word? 2" asked Mercedes, taking his
hands in her own and looking up at her
father. 1T was nay fault made
him. In despair stroye to throw E2F-