Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-06-21

her arrival at Las Flores, Carmela
FASTENED along a dark corridor, crossed
bare hall, passed through a porch
and searched the shadows Of the
pateo for the form Of her one time
lover.
A voice whispered in French:
"Come quickly, senhora, pray your
1t startled her to find San Benavides
talking French until 1t occurred to her
that Iris and he must converse In that
language or hardly at all. The thought
was disquieting. The volcano stirred
again.
"Senhora, je vous prie~ again plead
ed the man, who was on horseback
under the trees.
She did not hesitate, but ran to him.
Without a word Of explanation he
caught her in his arms, drew her up
until she was seated on the holsters
strapped to gaucho saddle and
wheeled his horse into gallop. Filled
with grim determination. she uttered
no protest. Not syllable crossed her
lips lest he should strive to amend his
woeful blunder. She noticed that they
were not going toward the camp, but
circling round the inclosed land in the
direction Of the hills. Though the
night was dark, the stars gave light
enough for the horse to move freely.
Carmela's head was bent.
But San Benavides wondered VIII.
the cold Ingleza had surrendered so
silently. He expected at least a
scream, struggle. an impassioned de-
mand to be released.
zone word, senhora," he muttered.
"You must think me mad. l am not.
All is lost. Our army is defeated. In
an hour Las Flores will be in flames"
The girl quivered in his arms. A
moaning cry came from her.
"It Is true, I swear it!' he vowed.
II mean you no i'll. fought till the
end, and my good horse alone carried
me In advance Of the routed troops.
Dom Corria may reach the finca alive,
but even so he and the rest will be
killed. I refused to escape without
you. Believe me or not, you are dear
er than life itself"
Carmela, with O sudden movement,
raised her face to his and threw aside
her veil.
"Salvadorw she said.
His eyes glared into hers. His fren-
zied clutch at the reins pulled the horse
on to Its launches.
"My God, Carmela" he almost
shrieked
"Yes. So you are running away,
Salvador-runninga away with the Eng
lish miss, deserting my father In the
hour Of his need But she will die
with the others, you say. Well, then,
Join her!"
During that quick twist on the
horses withers she had plucked a re-
yolver from holster. She meant to
shatter that false face Of his utterly,
to blast him as with lightning, but the
lock snapped harmlessly, for San Be-
navides had indeed borne himself gal
lantly In the fray. He struck at her
now In n whirl OF fury. She WINGED,
but with catamount activity drew back
her arm and hit him OH the temple
with the heavy weapon. He collapsed
Imply, reeled from off the saddle, and
they fell together. The frightened
horse, finding himself at liberty, gal
loped to the camp, where already there
was an unusual commotlon.
Carmela flung herself on the mans
body. She was capable Of extremes
either Of grief or passion.
Salvador, my love, my love-! she
screamed. What have l done? Speak
to me, Salvador! 1t is !. Carnela! Oh.
Mary Mother, come to my aid! have
killed him-kllled my Salvador!
He looked very white and peaceful
as he lay there In the gloom. She
could not see whether his lips moved.
She was too distraught to note If his
heart was beating. 1t seemed incredi-
ble that she, n weak woman, should
have crushed the life out Of that 1.-the
and active frame with one blow. She
rose and ran blindly.
Lorg before Carmela reached the
lnca San Benavides stirred, groaned,
sGuirmed convulsively and raised him
elf OIL hands and knees. He turned
and sat down, feeling his head.
THE spltfirew he muttered. "The
lie devil. And that other! Would
hat | could wiring her neck"
\ sputterlng Of rifles cracked In the
alley. There was blurred clamor
t voices. He looked at the sky, at
lie black SUBMITS Of the hills. He
tood up, and his inseparable sword
clanked on the stony ground.
"Ah, WELL" he growled, 81 have done
18th women. They have had the best
f my life. What Is left give to
":aZil."
- u- oo~ryyr,rn