The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-29

~
Just one ospiTated breath OF surprise es
capped him.
three OF the tables were In operation
Pendleton did not bestow so much as q
glance upon any OF them. but strobe
the length of the salon. passed out
again upon the piazza and down
among the network of graveled paths
which dissected into every conceivable
design the luxuriant vegetation Of the
garden. He followed one of these
paths until it ended abruptly at a rus
tic summer house.
December nights, even in and near
the City of Mexico, are chilly if not
cold. and the fur lined coat that Pen
dleton wore was by no means bur-
| den. AS he approached the summer
house he drew the collar around his
ears and passed inside. Perceiving
that he was the sole occupant. he
| lighted cigar and stood with his back
against a section OF the framework
while he awaited the absent party to
| the tryst. Ten minutes later his pa
i thence was rewarded.
/ Pendleton could hear the sound OF
/ approaching footsteps Oh the gravel,
| and presently the vine shroudeu door
! way WAS darkened by the figure OF Il
woman closely yelled. Behind her. six
feet away. was another. but instead of
the lace mantilla which decorated the
head while it concealed the features of
her companion she was covered by a
dark colored serape, and even in that
dim light which was almost darkness
it was easily perceivable that she filed
the capacity of duenna.
PendletOn east his cigar aside and,
lifting his hat, bowed low.
81 am glad. senorita. that ! arrived
before you did. since it has spared you
the unpleasantness of waiting" he
said. Your message assured me that
you speak English and that your serv-
ant does not. from which l decided
that you preferred me to use that
tongue. Will you be seated, senorita 2"
She was silent IL moment before re-
plying. as if she lacked the courage to
speak. but at last. III low voice that
was indescribably sweet, she said slow
ly:
81 thank you a thousand times. Sc
nor. not only for your kindness in com
-
that feel assured you have imposed
upon yourself at my request"
You may be assured of that much.
senorita.''
IF you will indulge me still further.
/ Will remain in the doorway as / au
now. My position serves two purposes,
since remain In full view of the serv-
ant and at the same time screen you
from observation. l asked you to meet
me here. senior, because l knew that |
was less likely to be recognized in this
place and also because the grand opera
in the city has attracted nearly If not
quite all of those who might identity
me-"
Pendleton bowed. but made no reply
Presently she continued:
You are to engage in duel in the
morning. Senior Pendleton. l have been
so infof eayl "
Your ,formation is correct"
II commit an impertinence, but may
l inquire the cause?''
ut grieves me. senorita. that it is out
OF my power to enlighten you"
do you mean that you cannot or
that you will not? 2"
Possibly BOTH senorita 1t wouiG |
scarcely accord with my idea of ethic |
to do so r any case. but happily "a |
spared necessity for discrimin
ton. foI 10 not know the reason m
self. at least not the real cause @ |
course the gentleman who compell
me TO challenge him insuited me gross /
ly before / did so. but am utterly un
aware of his reason for seeking til
quarrel
And be is'-she whispered tn
name evidently to prevent the duenn.,
from hearing it-"Captain Ignacio Re
Nero
Pendleton bowed again.
You fight with pistols:"
I'VE are expected to do so''
MAY l ask the name of your second
In this affair."
Captain Agramonte.'
She took one impulsive step forward
and then. as if remembering that the
eyes of the other woman were upon
her. as hastily withdrew to her former
position, but her voice was keyed q
tone lower. and it was plethoric with
intensity when she spoke again.
Il am the cause of your duel. Senior
she said
"You:" he responded incredulously
II have no. even the honor OF knowing
your nasIe. senorita. I am quite sure
that have never heard your voice be-
fore. because IL IS one that I could not
forget. I do not know If ] have ever
seen your face, since I cannot see it