The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-28
Fair Margaret Castel
BIT n. RIDER HAouARD.
Copyright. 1907. bv ". Rider Haoouos.
(Continued.l

ase. which had sunk 40 low, burned up
again within her. oh. she would teach this
Spanlard that the English woman, whom
he had made believe was his desired mis-
tress, could be his master. At any rate,
Ina should hear the truth before the end.
Shs unlocked the door. and Ihez entered,
bearing a lamp, by the light OF which she
scanned her with her quiet eyes.
THE bridegroom waits she said slowly
that BETTY might understand, END sends
me to lead you to him. Are you afraid3'
Not l." answered Betty. But tell me,
how will the thing be done?"
He meets us in the anteroom TO that hall
which Is used as a chapel, and there on be-
half Of the household l give you both the
ccps OF wine. He sure that you drink OF
shar which hold in my left hand, passing
the cup up beneath your veil so as not to
show your face, and speak no word, lest he
should recognize your voice.
sThen we shall go into the chapel. where
the priest Henriques waits, also the house,
hold. u that hall is great, and the lamps
are feeble, so none will know you there.
BY this time also the drugged wine will
have begun to work upon Morella's brain,
wherefore, provided that you Use a low
voice, you may safely say: i, Betty, we'd
thee, Carlos not l., Margaret. we'd thee
Then, when it IL over, he will lead you
away to the chambers prepared for you.
where, IL there is any virtue in my wine. he
will sleep sound tonight, that is, when the
priest has given me the marriage lines,
whereof I will hand you one copy and
keep the others. Afterward- and she
shrugged her shoulders.
what becomes Of you'" asked Betty.
when she had fully mastered these in
structions.
"Oh, l and the priest start tonight for a
ride together to Seville. where his money
awaits him: i'll company for a woman who
means henceforth to be honest and rich,
but better than none. Perhaps we shall
meet again there, or perhaps we shall not;
at least, you know where TO seek me and
the others, at the house Of the Senior Ber-
naldez. Now it IL time. Are you ready
to be made a Marchioness Of SpepP
~Of course" answered Betty coolly, and
they started.
Through the empty halls and corridors
they went; and oh. surely no Eastern plot
that had been conceived in them was quite
30 bold and desperate as theirs. They
reached the antechamber to the chapel.
and Dol their stand outside OF the circle
Of light that fell from its hanging lamps.
Presently a door opened and through
il came Morella. attended by two Of his
secretaries. He was splendidly arrayed in
his usual garb Of black velvet. and about
his neck hung chains OF gold and jewels,
and to his breast we're fastened the glitter
ing stars and orders Of his rank,
Never. or 90 thought Betty. had Moreha
seemed more magnificent and handsome.
He was happy also. who was about to drink
Of that cup OF joy which he 30 earnestly
desired. Yes. his face showed that he was
happy, and Betty. noting it. felt remorse
stirring in her breast.
Low he bowed before her. while abe
courtesied to him, bending her tall and
graceful form till her knee almost touched
the ground. Then he came 10 her and
whispered In her ear:
Most sweet, most beloved" he said.
Il thank heaven that has brought ne to
this joyous hour by many a rough and
dangerous path. Most dear, again / be-
seech you to forgive all the sorrow and
the III tina I AVE brought upon you re-
Numbering that it was done for your adored
sake, thai I love o as woman has been
seldom loved, you, and you only. and that
TO you and you only. will cling until my
deaths day.
-oh, do not tremble and shrink. for I
swear that no woman IN Spain shall have
, betAr or a more loyal lord. You | will
,Iherish alone. for you I will strive by night
ind day to lift you to great honor and
satisfy your every wish.
MANY and pleasant may the years be
hat we shall spend side by side. and peace
al our ends when at last we lay VS. down
III - .,ln 90 slaoo N uhila N MI uuka N naip
heaven, whereof the shadow iiee- over
ne tonight.
Remembering rho past. I do not ask
much of you AS yet; still, IL you are minded
, give me a bridal gift that | shall prize
bove crowns and empires, say that you
1rgive rae all that I have done amiss. and
token lift that veil Of yours and kiss
70 on the lips
Betty heard and trembled. This was
. trial that she had forcscen. Yet il must
Q faced, for speak che dared not. There
IRE, gathcring up her courage and re-
,embering that the light was at her back,
ter a lttlc pause. as though Of modesty
I'D reluctance. she lifted the pearl en-
,oiderod veil and. bending forward be-
oath its shadow. suffered Morella to kiss
or on the lips.
II was over. the veil had fallen again,
md the man suspected nothing.
Il am a good artist thought Ihez to
'~.erseif. "and that woman acts better than
70 wooden Peter. Scarcely could | have
me Ii ~ well myself"
Then the Jealousy and hate that she
o.. uld not control gllttered in her soft eyes.
r she too had loved this man. and well.
,ez took up the. golden cups that had
81 en prepared. and. gliding forward, beau
III in her broidcred Eastern robe, fell
&. oh her knee and held them to the
idegroom and the bride. Morella took
at from her right hand and Betty that
I'm her left. nor. intoxicated a. he was
.'eady with that first kiss Of love. did he
use to note the evil purpose written on
. faco Of his discarded slave
9etty. passing the cup beneath her veil.
iched 1t with her lips and returned IL to
dsz; but Moreila. cSolaiming: Il drink TO
"a, sweet bride most fair and adored Of
mon,- drained his TO the dregs aud cast
i oacit to Incz rs n gift in such fashion
d tha ROD .;no Which Ci,p.r IA liza rim,