The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-06-07
CHAPTER IX-Continued


craftiness a different story of that
duel might De written. for Madrella
fought with a reckless sort of daring
that. ! think. he would never rave as
sumed with me.
AT last Lcstrange. seeing an open
ing, thrust with lightning speed. His
steel, missing Madrella's throat by
less than an inch. pierced his shoIl
der, drawing from that worthy a rasp,
ing oath of pain
Now Madrella became raging
beast. He bore Lestrange down with
brilliant attack that no man could
have withStOOd.
LeStrange parted wildly, despair
ingly, his breath coming and going
in great choking sObs And MadrelIa
GndOubted master at last, began 10
ralk: There is terror In his eyes
senorita; he fears a traitors death.
Do you see how helpless he is? DO
you care TO look upon this. the end.
for death is an evil thing? If you
dO-just watch. How pale he is If
you do not care to see. my lady, COW
er your eyes. for il is finished
herer'
His adversary's point showed for
an instant between Lestrange's Shout
der blades then, even as the captains
limp body swayed. MadreIla drew out
his sword and thrust again with the
speed of light.
The heavy carpet sOftened the
sound of his fall and Lestrange
clutching convulsively with futile fin
gers. whispered: al have loved thee.
Anita %
She went TO her knees beside the
PROSTATE figure. "Ah, Dios," she
sObbed, "Dios, you have killed him,
you, FRANCOIS any one in ali
the world but yOul" A great hurt.
a great disappointment, lay in her
voice: You have killed him. Fran
rOis-and you have killed my love
for you as wellI''
He must have heard that with
mixed emotions but the wretcheI
rogue laughed aloud.
Your loves are legion, senorita
one more or less is matter of small
moment You have dispensed ynur
love with lavish hand gaining ques,
tionable ends thereby"
Mon Dleu-and |. Francois de Wig,
ny, was saying all thisl Why did I
not step from the gloom of my re
treat and take up the sword that had
fallen from the dead hand Of CAPTAIN
Lestrange? Why did l stand thus
helpless, while he SOwed the seeds
of hatred in her heart?
The WORST that you may say to
me, senior, is less than deserve; but
| have done with intrigue. Never an
other plot against the Empire shall
be Matched in this house of mine. You
may tell your emperor thai % She
stopped moment for a thought. then
raising her head proudly. continued:
THAI he has lost Macmillan is
doubtless we'll aware, for Louis Ma.
pOleOn of France, who cares less for
Mexico than he does for his muStache,
has withdrawn all support; and now
the people of this free country will
rise up To crush your emperor as they
have arisen before 10 crush the onIy
other emperor that Mexico ever had
You gave me this day. Captain Vigny
the life OF Pablo, my cousin (He
WINGED at rhis) You should not have
unworthy"
His broad shoulders sagged and BIZ
studied the floor for so long time
that could have cried out in my i'm.
patience. -
Then this cousin of yours senior.
ia has LOST yOur-regard?"
Il could have loved you, senior. had
II not been for-this." She indicated
the still form OF Lestrange
.Saprisri." he gasped. To have
killed Lestrange In the fuiIness Of
his jealousy, and then TO have dis
covered that his victim had no place
in her heart. must have been a griev
all | can say is good-hy."
He turned toward the hall and came
face TO face with Miguel Lopez, who
with a giant Indian moZo. Stood in the
doorway. 'CO!onelr' He fell hack
step. then bowed. laughing. This Is
my night, my colonel: you are sec
ond on the list"
Lopez took a step toward Madrella
You are under arrest, Captain Wig
ny-fnr murder"
Madrella swung his steel In ven
omous arc. And if I laugh at you
nv cOlnnel?"
Lopez took another careful step y
have warned you. Francois. that you
are under arrest; If you"
pabln's ready blade Ieaped like
thing of life. and the colonel. yoicing
a harsh. gaSpin2 cry of dismay
reached for the table. clntching at 1,
wildly for support. "Ynu will p-pa,
for this. Francois-your life shall pa,
for this,''
Madrella sword in hand. made for
the hall He stopped In rhe doorway
and blew an airy kiss toward the
Senorira ArreIlanos, then he disap
peared. and his knocking laughter
fioatPd hack tO US
Nnw for one briet instant ! con
sidered this thing. Lestrange was
dead. and as Lopez would Doubtless
receive ever, attention. there was nu
urgent need fai me Besides. I hest
tafpd To face La Anita's scorn anc
longed tn deal finally and definitel,
with Madrella Twice we had met
this time. ! determined wnnId he the
last
| pulled the shutter aside cleared
the griliing and Ieaped. landing ol'
hands and knees In the soft grass
Getting hastily 10 my feet I ran arnntl,,