The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-05-24
CHAPTER TX
The Price of Treachery

One swift glance was all she
needed. Her face took on the pallor
of death. "In the name of God,
senior" she gasped, where did you
get that?"
81 found IT on the steps OF your
porte-cochere after Lopez and l had
assisted my wounded adversary to the
carriage. 1t has saved my life more
than once, it will serve now to remove
a menace to the empire. man who
has forfeited all claims to friendship
and all hope of clemency."
"Yet he is my cousin. senior. though
l do not countenance his actions.
dess deserve no mercy at your
hands?"
"Ah, senorita-is that fair of your
"No; yet you hold his life in your
hands, and l. who see in you only
gallantry and courage and-and for
giveness. am asking for his life. All
-senor, you will never be great in
anything until you are great in for.
giveness ]"
Between MadreIla and myself,
senorita. there is a blood-feud that
only death might aIIay. If he is free
then my life is in constant danger"
She smiled al me through mist
OF tears Il am not pleading for the
life of my cousin because he is my
cousin. or because it is his life; am
thinking of the effect of this upon
your soul, and upon my estimate OF
you. ! wonder if the fine DeVignys
of your noble line who have written
their names large on the scroll of his
tory would require this thing of your
She stopped and. searching my face.
waited. lost myself in the clear
depths of her pleading eyes. Nv
service, my duty to France, TO my
emperor-in all of that | had failed
because of my too great love
extended TO her hand that held
the death warrant of Madrella. She
took the folded piece of paper from
my fingers and swept her lips lightly
across the back of my hand.
"You may destroy it" said. and
waited.
"And when | have done so. senor?N
Then shall | go TO my emperor.
who has honored me with his love and
with his trust, and tell him that
have failed-and offer him my resig-
nation. | can do no less"
1.-THE price that you will have to
pay, senior. is greater than his life is
worth. IL give ii back 70 you. If
you make il matter of duty, | must
ask nothing of you; If you can be
great in forgiveness this world will
have many things to offer you |
have failed"
She studied the sinking sun fc: half Il
minute. "It is finished" she said.
turning to me again; there is no
more"
Now, seeing what l had done, she
cried out in fear and dismay-and in
sudden, overwhelming happiness. too
for tiny pieces of that potent pass
Of BenitO Juarez floated to the ground
between Us.
"Ah. Dios." she said. you have de-
stroyed itr'
"Yes. senorita; forgiveness and
and love are greater By far than
duty"
felt her cropping fingers on my
hands. on my shoulders; | felt her
arms around my neck, and | caught
the faint elusive fragrance of Der
hair. Sudden tears blinded me so
that could not see her face. but
heard her soft voice calling my name.
and felt again the tender touch Of
her fragile lips.
Yet, what | had done was nothing
less than treason. There was left for
me only TO report to the emperor
what | knew about the sublime sacri-
fee of Leroux and Besancon, the
detection of Lestrange. and the ques
tionable activities of Colonel Lopez
fTO BE CONTINUED.)