The Columbus journal., 1909-12-29
Make the sIIshtes. Uprosr and ~


great room. Apparently no one pres
ent had taken the slightest interest in
the affair. with the exception of the
small party of Chilean officers who
were laughing uproariously over their
wine. and the girls gray eyes. now
almost black from excitement, came
back to her prosecutor.
The dance on the warship, seno-
rita," he insisted. "the gran dance of
my country; it will please you mucho.
Dios! wat care We for papa?"
She perceived me plainly now. lean
ing forward just outside the window
directly behind the fellows back. |
know not what message of encourage
ment she may have read in my face.
but into her eyes there instantly swept
a mute, passionate appeal. For the
fraction of a moment l hesitated, feel
ing convinced that any action on my
part would only serve to hasten my
own fate. Yet it was not in my nature
to hold back. Half rising. and bend
ing forward. I reached through the
open window, twisted my fingers into
the fellows coat collar, and the next
instant he was lying nat upon his
back on the balcony floor, nothing re-
naming to show his recent presence
IN the dining hall except an overturned
chair.
1t was rather smartly. prettily done.
the astounded lieutenant possessing
neither wind nor opportunity for the
slightest outcry. and once without.
promptly throttled him. meanwhile
muttering q few important admoni-
tions into his ear in well-selected
Spanish.
lie still there. you drunken idiot.
Make another attempt to bite me. and
I'll pound your head on these stones.
Bah! save your threats. senor. and II
you make the slightest uproar Ill hoist
you over the railing yonder. and It'd
30 feet to the pavement below. Now
stand up! Do you see this. senor?"
and pressed the cold muzzle of re-
volver against his swarthy cheek.
"Oh. you do! Well. you probably
know also how 1t works. Now listen
to me-there are stairs at that corner
yonder; you 60 down them quietly
and disappear-disappear: do you un-
derstand that? II you dare return to
that dining room tonight. or attempt
again to address that young woman. !
am going to kill you. senor."
Ny voice was cold and low, but 1t
carried weight. Painting still from the
fierce choking. his eyes hot with an
ger. his lips trembling, he endeavored
to speak.
"Nopbre de Dtos!" he bufst forth
at last. his face full of murder. yet
standing helpless before my gun-bar-
rel. Il cut your heart out! You In
suit me. q Chilean sailor. I have re-
venge for my honor. You fight me for
this. senor."
"Oh. certainly. anything to oblige."
1 returned. indifferently. only you
get out of here now, and sober up.
Sanchez"
"Caramba! you know my name.
senior: but I know not yours"
drew a card from my pocket across
which had been written the cognomen
! had assumed ut the hotel.
You possess 1t now" said some
what tartly. Besides. senior, that
to be my dinner coming yon-
der. and I prefer eating It undisturbe1
You either 60 down those stairs quiet
ly At once. or I'll kick you down."
was obliged to smile while watch
ing him back away. Beyond question
the fellow was IN arrant coward and
bully. yet sufficiently angry and out
ragged to have fought gladly. II only
opportunity served. I followed him
to the head Of the stairs. watching him
closely while he descended. cursing
iercely to himself at every step until
he finally vanished into the blackness