The Ely miner., 1913-12-26

knew that. The prelado who was to
perform the ceremony had called to
congratulate. He told her any maiden
in the province would be rightly proud
to win the love of de Gomara, and
left her quite dutiful.
The wedding was fine affair Look
ing like some glorious bird of the
tropics, the little bride smiled sweetly
beside her lordly husband. Military
men from the Alajuela mountain gar
rison formed a fair proportion Of the
guests, and their smart uniforms
blended artistically in the sparkling
panorama under the chandeliers.
The perfume of rare flowers, the
languorous melodies of CASTLE and
the subtle magnetism of bright eyes
that outshone their own diamonds
chased the glad hours away.
It's the birth of love-" murmured
the adoring husband "it's a good
omen, sweetheart
Camilla assented, her coral lips
showing the white gems beneath.
They had reached the far end of the
lawn, where de Gomara stopped and
raised his hand to the star-decked
heavens
May thy richest blessings"
Quicker than the stealthy action OF
of the shadows and, leaping upon the
hacendado, gagged him and bound his
hands. Then as swiftly and as noise
iessly they gently picked up Camilla
and gently passed her across the
hedge, where sinister crew of dark
igures awaited, like vampires of the
;Wamps.
The music and the dance went on;
he stars glowed out of the dark
canopy and now and then Cartago dis.
harged a column of white, hCI flame.
Then a discovery was MADE by a pair
f promenaders. The stricken hacen-
iado was released and the military
gentlemen mounted in hot haste.
Ten thousand pesos for the brigand
Ioreno, dead or alive!"
So cried the lord of San Jose valley
IS he climbed into the saddle on his
;reat black stallion and led the way.
Under the tropic heavens, through
he perfumed foliage, into the wild
fountains rode the rescuers, three
,undred strong.
AS the ascent grew sleeper the party
'eployed. De Gomara and his retinue
seeping straight ahead, turned sudden.
into roadway cut into the side of
he mountain. Across the abyss was
'oreno and his fantastic crowd Of
utlaws lined up as if waiting. Camilla
at on the saddle in front of her cap
or. De Gomara, with cry of rage,
aised his carbine. The bandit held
p his right hand.
'Senor de Gomara," he said, 'it
'ould be pity to slaughter hundred
ood men when two will SUFFICE"
The hacendado understood
so be it," he returned you on
rat side and l on this till one shall
tie."
Moreno dismounted and gently as.
isted Camilla to alight He indicated
safe place for her to stand and
Talked down the road bordering the
:hasm on his side. 1t was agreed that
captain in the pursuing party should
cunt. The bandit stepped boldly out
the center of the road.
No one could tell just how 1t hap
'ened, or when, but at the last count
he two carbines spoke simultaneously
Ind Camilla sank at the feet of the
)rigand chief with bullet In her
breast. De Gomara's right arm was
perforated by the ball from the enc
ny's DETECTED weapon. With a strange
2ry, Moreno stopped and lifted the
stricken girl. Then he looked across
he gorge.
"A truce, gentlemen" he said; "the
.ady's hit. "Will Senior de Gomara
please come over? My men will guide
lin and protect him."
Moreno walked down the narrow
cliff roadway and then disappeared in
/ rude shanty on the mountain side
When the hacendado entered a few
minutes later he saw the brigand on
nis knees beside the cot, the dying
girls arms around his neck. Her eyes
were looking into his with pathetic
levotion
They made me do 1t, my dear Mo,
reno," she murmured; thou wilt for
give poor Camilla, who never ceased
20 love thee?"
The brigand run his hand through
the tawny tresses and whispered some.
thing no one else heard The dark
eyes smiled: then closed forever.