Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-09
CHAPTER xxx.
Checkmate.

CHAPTER xxx.
Checkmate.
For some time already there had been
certain amount of commotion in the
saw the combat. then her high-voiced
alteration with Don Miguel, had reused
the attention of some of the guard, who
were stationed in the clofster green court
close by. Some Of the gentlemen, too,
were astr.
wessex himself soon after ne had
reached his own apartments heard the
sound Of angry voices proceeding from
the room which he had just quilted. He
could hear nothing distinctly. but 1t
were quarreling violently. He tried to
shut his ears to the sound. He would
hear nothing, know nothing more of the
wanton who had fooled and Knocked him.
But there are certain instincts in every
chivalrous man which will not be gain
said. Among these is the impulse to go
at once to the assistance of a woman II
she be in trouble or difficulty.
1t was that impulse and nothing more
which caused Wessex to retrace his foot
steps. He had some difficulty in finding
his way. now that there was no moon
h light to guide him, but as soon as he re-
entered the last room. which was next
to the audience chamber, he heard the
om!nous "A moi!' of his dying opponent:
also all round him the obvious commotion
of number of footsteps all tending to-
ward the same direction.
An icy horror suddenly gripped his
occurred. he hurried on. By instinct
for he could see nothing-he contrived to
find and open the door, and still going
forward he presently stumbled against
sopething which lay heavy and inert at
his feet
In a moment he was on his knees,
touching the PROSTATE body with gentle
hand. Realizing that the unfortunate
young man had fallen on his face. he
tried with infinite care to lift and turn
him as tenderly as he could.
Then suddenly he became conscious of
another presence in the ROOM Nothing
more than ghostlike form of white, al
most as rigid as the murdered man him
self. while from the corridors close by
the sound of approaching footsteps still
hesitating which way to 60, became more
and more distinct. A murmur of distant
voices. too. gradually took on definite
sound.
This way"
mo, that
"1n the COURT
No: the audience chamber"
The ghostly whitehead figure appeared
as II turned to stone.
Through the window" whispered Wes-
sex with sudden vehemence, cit is not
high!-duick! fly. in the name of God.
while there's yet time!''
That was his only instinct now. He
could not think of her as the woman he
had loved. he understood nothing, knew
nothing; but In the intense gloom which
surrounded him he had lost sight of the
witch-like and horrible vision which had
dealt a deathbiow to his love: he seemed
only to see the green bosquets of the
park. the pond. the marguerites and an
other white-c!ad figure, girlsh face
crowned with golden halo OF purity and
innocence.
The wild passion which he had felt for
her changed to an agonizing horror, not
only Of her deed, but at the thought of
seeing her surrounded. rough-hand,ed by
the guard. shamed and treated as mad
and drunken Wanton.
He despised himself for his own weak
ness. but at this awful and supreme mo-
n1ent. when he realized that the idol which
he had set up and worshiped was moth
ing but defiled mud. he felt for her only
tenderness and pity.
Love had touched him once and he knew
now that nothing would ever tear her
image completely from out his heart
Love. great, ardent. immutable. was dead
and his dead love pleaded for his chivalry,
for his protection, with all the power of
sweet memories, and aided by the agoniz-
ing grip Of cold. stiff hands clinging to
MS ucdElStIiuSS.
He pointed once more to the open win
dow.
Quick! in Gods name."
! The girl moved toward him.
''Ah no! no! for PHYS sake! Co..
There was not second to be lost. Mir
rab. realizing her danger. was sobered and
alert. The next moment she was clinging
% the window sill and measuring it's height
from the terrace below. 1t was but few
feet AS agile as a cat she flung herself
and Afga red into the y1nnro in
as the door leading into the audience
chamber was thrown violently open. and
group of people. gentlemen. guards,
servitors bearing torches. came rushing
'Water-a leech!-quick. some of your
commanded Wessex. who held Don
Miguel's head propped against his knee.
What is IT," queried every one with
Some pressed forward. snatchfng the
flaming torches from the hands Of the
servitors. In a moment Wessex and the
dead marquis were surrounded and the
room was flooded with weird. Pickering
light.
From the door of the apartments on the
left a suave and urbane voice had sounded
softly:
1.-THE Spanish marquis" murmured the
foremost man in the crowd.
''Wounded?" Queried another.
May! fear me dead" said Wessex
quietly.
Then the groups parted instinctively for
the same urbane voice had repeated its
query in tones Of the gravest anxiety.
II was at prayers. and heard this
noise. What is it?.'
The Cardinal de Moreno now stood be-
side the dead body of his friend
'Your grace! and?"
ALAS. your eminence!' replied Wessex,
Don Miguel de 6uarez is dead"
The cardinal made no comment, and the
next moment was seen to stoop and pick
up something from the ground.
But how?' Queried one of the gentle
men.
"A duel?" added another.
mo. not a duel. seemingly" said his
eminence softly. Don Miguers sword
and dagger are both sheathed.'
He turned to the captain of the guard.
who was standing close beside him.
''Will this dagger explain the mystery.
think you. my son?' he asked. handing
small weapon to the soldier. IL picked it
IN lust now"