The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-11-13
CWNU Service.)

and | wondered vaguely what manner
of man might be this Bolivar, the
father of the revolution; wherein lay
his hold upon his people.
Francisco had said to me: IF Vene-
zuela had thousand men like you,
Senior. she would win her independ-
ence out of hand" Well, why not /;
could this game we call life offer to
me any more fascinating sport? And
if Bolivar were half the man that his
amazing power over the people of
Venezuela seemed TO indicate. then
service under him would be a glorious
thing.
The swelling murmur of the throng
was .stilled with startling suddenness,
and silver thread of music filled the
air. 1t deepened into the slow har-
mOny of a march and, in time with
! bowed my head, for dared not look
They were coming down the aisle be-
side US.
After an interminable wait the
priests deep voice filled the cathedral
with toneless sound. l heard nothing
of what he said; l could not even
raise my eyes. She was marrying
him, marrying that craven Spaniard.
Wherein had | failed; had | followed
her for this-to sit idly while she
gave herself in marriage to Adolfo. TO
wait in muted impotence while an
other man >.
lifted my head at last and looked
at them. They stood before the tall,
serene, black-robed priest; Adolfo in
the brilliant uniform of his rank. with
his arm free now, and she in white,
as fair, and as pale. as lily. Polite.
CARRIED as lieutenant in the service
of his majesty, Ferdinand VII, stood
beside her, his head swathed in a
bandage and other around his
throat.
My mad worship drew my eyes to
her downcast face and held them
there. | saw again the tender curve
of her cheek, and the sweetly pointing
chin, which trembled, else my eyes
were playing me false; tiny black
curls touched an ear and caressed
her neck, and her bosom rose and fell
in an emotion beyond her control.
The incongruous thought came to me
that she seemed just like a little girl
about to cry
looked and looked, filing my soul
with her beauty; gripped the carved
bench in front of me and held myself
rigid, concentrating every faculty into
the intensity of my regard. Polite
offered something to the coIonel-a
ring, l supposed. The calm father
spoke to the Senorita and she extend.
ed one slender hand. 1t raised slowly,
as though it were lifting the weight
of the world, and her eyes came up
with it.
drinking in her loneliness. | would
live this love of mine during the min
ute or two that she might still remain
the Senorita Lamartina, and then
free of Caracas would seek forget
fulness in arms under the banner of
Bolivar, for l could never go back
again to the peace and quiet of the
great plantations.
"Dios," said Manuel in an anxious
whisper, 'she has seen thee 20
Now | realized that the Senorita
Dulce had found my eyes, She was
looking past the colonel's shoulder;
her lips were parted. her eyes wide.
color came and went in her face, and
a deep sigh escaped her.
With outstretched hand pointing in
my direction she pushed past the pros
pective bridegroom and started down
the carpeted aisle toward me. She
seemed like one who moves in
trance, her eyes unseeing, her arms
extended as though in duplication.
Before she had taken two steps
was on my feet and. in three strides,
stood before her, catching the sway
ing figure as it fell.
With a childlike sigh she snuggled
into the protection of my arms.
"Senor Moon-wraith," she whispered
in tiny voice that was drowned in
the swelling lamentations that filled
the cathedral She raised a hand.
wonderingly, and touched my dark
ened hair. "Is it the Senior? |
would"
None other -. what have l done
Senorita?"
Hasten" said rasping voice at
my elbow; you must escape"
Save myself, Manuel, good friend"
| said; nothing they may do to me-
Now the crowd was upon US in an
overwhelming flood. Polito-his face
as black as Characterization the
precious burden from my arms, SOL
diers barked orders, women screamed
and children cried shrilly. Thrusting
bodies propelled me swiftly toward
the wide doorway, out of which we
tumbled in a scrambling heap.