The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-01-29
CHAPTER XIII
A Night of Madness

Il SlOOu upon the cage OF rOuSu-neWH
bunk and, holding to the iron bars of
the window, watched a red sun go
down behind the hills of Barquisimeto.
Alone and facing my last night of
life, l lived, in fancy. through the
swift passage of events that had filled
the few short weeks since that night
of moonlight madness in New Orleans.
In actions, in emotions, in love and
hate and fear, | had lived long life
in that brief space. | had met brave
and honorable men whose friendship
had proved a blessing to me; | had
made enemies who had filled my soul
with a passion for killing; had seen
patriotism in its highest form, had
watched a man win an empire; aye,
had assisted, even, in the winning of
it, and had spent my life in the
service of lovely lady. And | was
carrying away with me to another
and surely more beautiful-world the
blessing of her love.
Dulce herself had called my love
a madness. Well if madness
might glorify ones life with such emo
tiOnal bliss, then madness was indeed
a blessing, and sanity futile thing.
1t had been born, remembered. all at
once-that love for the Senorita. She
had come, like an angel, out of the
mellow moonlight, and love had over
whelmed me in an instant.
My worship had brought me here,
here to a gloomy house of horrors
which would leave at dawn to face
the rising sun and file of armed sol
diers. Yet l was glad of my service
to the SenOrita. Her brother was safe,
and free of the menace of Colonel
PM, she was doubtless safe. PM l
had vanquished, yet Pini's dead hand
reached out TO crush me. How
strangely doth fate direct our destiny,
for, between two suns, the Senorita
Lamartina should lose three suitors for
her hand.
| laughed aloud at the sheer absurd
fly of the thing, and turning hack to
the iron door, found the guard stand
ing there, tapping upon it. "Can you
laugh at such time, Senior"
''Why not?"
81 do not know-yet a man seldom
laughs at DEATH"
rs not a laugh easier to fashion,
He considered it. "Who knows?"
He frightened up. 81 have news.
News of interest and profit to the
Senior Americana. | would tell you.
Senior, of thing that shall give you
freedom. He has returned, Senior"
He" questioned; mot PM, Pablo.
he could never-T'
Mother of Cd Pablocito gasped.
crossing himself again. 81 hope he
may never return!'
"Then-"
1.-THE young Spanish lieutenant, he
whom yOl aided to escape"
mo, Pablo cried. mo; ne could
not have done thing so foolish"
"A glorious thing, 'Senor."
AYE, Pablo" said humbly, "a
glorious thing indeed"
So the brave Polito, to save me-
had made the great sacrifice. All, a
miserable time for Dulce, for she loved
that handsome brother. "What does
he say. Pablo?"
after the darkness had settled"
the guard explained. "this young lieu.
tenant appeared at the iron gate and
demanded admittance. He told us
that the Americana, Major Garde, had
taken his personal bond until ten
o'clock, so that, under cover of the
night. he might make his way safely
to the calabozo. for the streets of
Valencia are filled with Venezuelans
celebrating our great victory at Cara
bobo.
$50, if the Senior has not aided in
the escape of the Lieutenant Lamar
tina, but has merely put him on parole
for, few hours, he will surely not be
shot tomorrow morning If the pris-
oner has returned, how may they shoot
you?"
How indeed, Pablo?"
.'You do not seem glad, Senior"
mo, Pablo, for the boy has thrown
mis- life away"
"A brave man." said Pablo, who
seemed less sympathetic than happy.
81 have locked him up and am going
now to report the occurrence to Cap
tain Lopez. commandant of the prison.
He will see to your release-is it not
so. Senor?"
Il suspect that he will, my little
Pablo. Can you not bring the lieu
tenant here and put him in this cell
with me?'
''Assuredly; little moment, Senor."
waited, horror in my heart, for his
return. | knew that this would give
me back the Senorita, yet, if she lost
her brother All, the glory, and
the pity, of the thing!
They stood in the narrow hallway,
vague figures in the Intellectual light.
Pablo unlocked the door, thrust into
my cell a uniformed figure and
slammed the door shut again. Il will
return, Senor," he said.
/ waited until the sound of his de-
parting footsteps died away in the
gloom, then / took the counterfeit lieu
tenant in my arms. always, Senorita,
you find me in a prison."
Loren, ah, Loren, love thee
cannot live without thee"
l removed the futile bandage from
her right arm and she put it. with the
other. around my neck; so, holding
each other close, we lived the swift
sweet minutes, obliyious to storms, or
wars or prisons.
You thought to trick me, eh?"
She aughed lightly.
THAT clever subterfuge could never