The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-09-26

Often in the night I heard her crying, and when I would go to comfort her she would say, What have I brought you to- Juanita? CThat was her name for mel What will you do when I am gone?' she would say. And I would answer, Pedro will take care of me, Ma mita'
 Pedro had taken care of us both before Once when Mamita was stricken with the fever Pedro nursed her. And when the bandits came he stood guard at our door, and though he was shot, he kept them at bay, and they went away. He came near dying of his wound.
 But she answered, I have rob- bed you of your people. You will have nowhere to go. They hate us now
 Hatred is a deadly thing with us, Kirk. I know. I felt it for de Banos.
 His mistresses came openly to the house. I remember a banquet he gave one of them. I remem- Der the noises of their orgy as the night went by.
 T remember the dress of gold tissue that she wore
 T remember my mother.
 Pedro said to me, Some day l shall kill him
 T said, Hush, Pedro But I had said the thing to myself many times.
 She found peace at last. said to de Banos, You have killed her
 He hated me for that He kept me prisoner in his great house. He feared I would say abroad what l had said to him. But others knew already.
 He knew that I hated him, but he did not know that Pedro hated him too. Old Pedro, part Indian, who would have died for me, and who said again, I will kill him. No, Pedro I said, and knew that I myself would do the thing.
 Pedro slipped decent food to me in my prison where Estrella, who had been de Banos' mistress and who was still his housekeeper, watched me night and day. Pedro was too clever, even for her. He slipped the key to me, also, bidding me be careful when used it.
 "Estrella had taken my clothes. But once I had come home from a dance and slept in this tower room, not to disturb mother. The dress I had worn hung there still -the cloak and slippers were there.
 Tt was dark Far below I heard de Banos' and Estrella's laughter Estrella was certainly nowhere near my door heard the clink of glasses and more laughter. Once a door banged. Then came silence that lasted long time.
 q wrapped my cloak about me and went down the stair The door of de Banos' room stood open. De Banos lay on the rug. face down. The lights were burning.
 T thought, He is drunk. Tomor- row he will be violent. But I shall be gone
 Then I saw something shining just below his shoulder. I went closer-the house was so still De Banos was so still. It was the hilt of a dagger-a little jeweled dag ger-shining.
 T knew that I had done it. Nothing could have told me that I had not done it. Too often I had feared that I would do it before l thought. Too often I had done it in my dreams. Too often had prayed God not to let me do it.
 T ran down the stair, knowing that any minute Estrella might come and catch me-Estrella who loved him and who knew my hate. ran fast. The streets were empty. I met no one. reached the docks. There was boat there. I hid"
 Juanita paused. Kirks arm drew her closer. But he did not stop her. She must tell him all. She would be easier then.
 ''At sea-when I was calmer-I knew. It was not I, but Pedro Pedro whose hate was even greater than mine. For my sake he had done this . I was able to think. Me they would not kill, even if they found me. Women do not suf- fer death for murder in Mexico. But Pedro-a peon-
 T was gone They would think, since I had fled, that I had done it -.
 T reached New Orleans, and here-here-
 T know said Kirk. T have talked with Divitt," he added. while I waited to see you. He is [ here"
 Then you know. I gave him my first name l thought of that night. Basara-My mothers name. It is