The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-02

with me- And she took Betty's hand and
olung to It.
Struggling his shoulders the sailor led
them forward, and a. thsy rent she noted
that men were hPullng on o call, while other
men, who sang q strange, wild song, worked
on what seemed to be o windlass. Now
they reached q cabin and entered It, the
door being shut behind them. In the
cabin a man sat at a. table with q lamp
hanging over his head. He rose and turned
toward than. bowling, and Margaret saw
that it was-D'Aguilar.
Betty stood silent; she had expected to
meet him, though not here and thus. Her
foolish heart bounded so at the sight OF
him that she seemed to choke and could
only wonder dimly what mistake had been
made and how he would explain TO Mar
garet and get her away, leaving herself
and him together to be married.
Indeed, she searched the cabin With her
ayes to ses where the priest was waiting,
then noting a door beyond, thought that
doubtless he must be hidden there, As
for Margaret, she uttered a little stiled
cry, then, being a brave woman, one Of
that high nature that grows strong in the
face Of trouble, Strengthened herself to
her full height and said in q low, fierce
| voice:
what do you herel Where is my
father"
"Sehora," he answered humbly, Il am
on board my ship, the San Antonio, and
as for your father he is either aboard his
ship, the Margaret, or more likely by now
OF his house in HoIborn."
At these words Margaret reeled back
till the wall Of the cabin stayed her and
there she rested.
Spare me your r~eproaches.' went on
D'Aguilar hurriedly. Il will tell you all the
truth. First. be not anxious as to your
father; no accident has happened to him;
he Is sound and we'll. Forgive me IL you
have suffered pain and doubt; but there
was no other way. That tale was only one
Of loves snares and tricks"
He paused, overcome. fascinated by
Margaret's face, which Of q sudden had
grown awful. that Of q goddess Of venge-
ance, of a Medusa, which seemed to chill
his blood to ice.
"A snare! A triok!' abe muttered
hoarsely. while her eyes famed on him like
burning stars. Thus then I pay you for
| your tricks And in an instant he became
| dNdT6 I1ht Sit ~ bDhOChOA udBBOA bOIh
her bosom and was springing on him.
He could not move; those fearful eyes
held him fast. In another moment that
steel would have pierced his heart. But
Betty had seen also. and. casting her arms
about Margaret, held her back, crying:
Listen, you do not understand. It ID
he wants-not you; l whom he loves. and
who love him, and am about TO marry him.
You he will send back home
Loose me- said Margaret, in such q
voice that Betty's arms fell from her. and
she stood there. the dagger still in her hand
Now she said to D'Aguilar. 'the truth.
and be swift with il. What means this
woman7"
"She knows best answered D'Aguilar
uneasily. at has pleased her to wrap her.
| self in this web OF oonceits."
which it has pleased you TO spin, per-
chance. Speak, girl!'
He made love to me-" gasped Betty
'and 1 love him. He promised to marry
me. He sent me q letter but to-day-here
it is and she drew 1t out.
Read" said Margaret, and Betty read.
$50 you have betrayed me- said Mar
garet, you, my cousin, whom I have shell
tered and cherished
no" cried Betty. Il never thought to
betray you; sooner would I have died. !
believed that your father was hurt, and that
while you were visiting him that man would
take me-"
what nave you to sayf' asked Margaret
OF D'Aguilar In the same dreadful voice,
you offered your accursed love to me-
and to her, and you have shared us both.
Man. what have you to ssy?"
only this he answered, trying TO look
brave, that woman is a fool whose vanity
I played on that l might make use Of her to
keep near to you
do you hear, Betty3-do you hear1'
cried Margaret with a terrible little laugh
but Betty only groaned as though she was
dying.
Il love you. and you only went on
D'Aguilar. As for your cousin. ! will
send her ashore. l have committed this
sin because ] could not help myself.
The thought that you were to be married
to another man tomorrow drove me mad
and I dared all to take you from his arms,
even though you should never come 10
mine. Did I not swear 10 you,' he said
with an attempt at his old gallantry. 'that
your image should accompany me to Spain
whittier we are sailing now?" And rs he
spoke the words the ship lurched a little
IL the wind.
Margaret made no ans wer, only toyed
with the dagger blade and watched him
with eyes that g~littered more ooldly than
its steel.
kill me il you will. and have done, A"
he went on in a voice that was desperate
with love and shame. 80 shall l be rid oil
all this torment.
Then Margaret seemed to awake. for she
spoke TO him in a new voioe-a measured
frozen voice
NO" she answered, Il will not stain my
hands even with your blood. for why should
/ rob God OF His own vengeance? II you
attempt to touch me. or even to separate
me from the poor woman whom you have
fooled, then | will kill-not you, but myself
and l swear to you that my ghost shall
accompany you to Spain, and from Spain
down 10 the hell that awaits you.
Listen, Carlos d'Aguilar, Marquis OF
Morella, this 1 know about you. that you
believe in God and fear His anger. Well
/ call down upon you the vengeance Of