The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-10-06
Legally Dead


best 10 avoid being entangled in any
OF the various strlfes that succeeded
one aEother ftT the possession OF tile
government, for tn be on the wrong
side meant death Dona Marina, Her
rcra's eldest daughter. was courted by
Signor Juan Bustamentc, neighbor-
ing hacienda owner who had done n
+ great deal 10 establish the government
then IN power. Ho was more than
twice Marina's age and was especially
disagreeablc to her. But she was
urged by bcr family to accept him on
the ground that II She declined him
he might seek revenge by impugning
her fathers loyalty to tho government.
But Dona Marina loved Philippe
Mendoza, the son or neighboring
planter. Urged 10 give him up for
Bustamente, through fear she consent
ed. but not for long She confessed to
Bustamente her love for Mendoza and
begged him tc release her. Tie did so
at once, with many expressions OF grief
and wishes for her happiness. Hy tbls
course Marina turned what had been
feared for her father against her lover.
Y stamente. thinking that II he got
Mtndoza out OF the way Marina might
yet become his wife. secretly accused
bis rival of plotting with one who Was
kaown be fomenting a new revolt
ton Mendoza was arrested aud taken
no one knew where.
As soon as the news of the arrest
reached the Herrcras. not suspecting
Bnstamentc, Marina implored him to
use his influence with the PRECEDENT IN
behalf Of her lover. He promised to do
so and set off at once to the capital os-
tensibly for the purpose. He knew
very well that Mendoza would have
teen executed before his arrival for he
had so arranged with The government
What nc wished was to conceal his
own part III the murder and gain credit
with Marina that would benefit his suit
IN the future.
There Is law In Mexico that one
executed shall he left where he falls
till friends or relatives come aud take
away the body for rburial. But at Men
doza's execution there was no ono to
elaiia the body. Bustamente had ar
EhnStu thht uc pc iukth ~ uiSAanl
province from which the news OF his
execution would he long In reaching
his friends, especially Dona Marina.
Mendoza was taken out In the gray
OF the morning and was stood up be-
fore eight soldiers, who at the word of
command fred a volley at him. EIe
fell. The commander ofcthe firing party
took look at the body and saw that 1t
had several wounds In the thorax and
two IN the head. any one OF which
might be expected TO Kill him, The sol
diers were marched away aud n writ
Ten report handed IN that Philippe
Mendoza was dead.
But Mendoza was not dead. Notwith.
standing his wounds after the firing
party had marched away he revived.
For time he supposed that he had
awakened In another world Yet there
above him was the same blue sky be
had lived under. and he could hear cat
tie lowing. Making an effort. he raised
himself on his elbow. looked about him
and down on his blood stained cloth.
Ing Then. making another effort lie
got up and walked several miles TO =
hospital.
He could not keep the secret that he
had been executed. and word soon
reached those who had been charged
with his execution. Fearing that they
would be blamed for neglect OF duty,
they proposed 10 shoot him again. tst
before they could agree upon this
course the news OF the strange case
reached the governor ofethe province
He had been OH the bench. and tho
only thing 10 the world he respected
was the law. lie took the matter mn
der consideration. at last deciding that
Mendoza had been executed, had baei
reported dead and was therefore dead
That Is. he was dead in law Therefore
those who had been ordered to execute
him bad nothing further to do Will
him He was without legal exisfeucs
in the republic Of Mexico. No further
report Of the mgtter need he forwarded
10 the government. for there was 10th
Ing TO be said about one Who had beer
reported legally dead
one evening MS Siguor Bustament'
was returning from a visit TO the Her
Iefd Hhtituud w Hfdiu n NhlNt ll'l
bushes beside the ROAD ordering hin
to halt He stopped. aud man step
ped into the road short distance be
fore him His checks were hollow
his lips were thin. his eyes were wild
Mis- face WAS white Bustamente saw
his rival. or what he considered hi
rivals ghost
.Are you Of the living or the deadT
II am dead-legaly dead. But tha
you shall not again have me executes
am firing party TO execute you.'
The ghost raised a rifle aud shot hi
enemy dead
when Mendoza appeared at the Her
rer2 hacienda no one there knew wha
had become OF him. He told the stor.
OF his execution and that he had exc
cuted the man who had brought !
about His visit was brief, and no on
except the Hereras knew that he ha'
been there. The slayer OF Bnstament
was never known Soon after al thI
occurred a new -laader OF the party OF
..t--.l =. tho ~o..n.t. .tenaa rn4trf.ll