Evening star., 1935-07-14
THIS WEEK
Bride of the Singing Peddler

was Inscribed the name and fame of
Carlos.
When Dolores left the cemetery,
Pedro was at her side.
You must go back tomorrow and
ask them to open the grave" he de-
clared. Say you forgot to remove
ring from your husbands finger, one
of no real value in itself, but an heir
loom that was to be handed down to
your son. Then you can get the
jewels"
Dolores numbly nodded agreement.
The manager of the cemetery. a
pompous, stout little man. listened
courteously to the girls petition. 1T
can be arranged, but fear it will be
bit expensive. Say fifty pesos" When
he found she had no money he asked,
did we not make special concession
in your case. and let you have the
grave for one years rental, with your
promise to pay the balance later on?
Here's what you can do: Wait until
the year is up, and get your ring when
they take the coffin out for nonpay-
ment of the rent. Then it won't cost
much to have it put back again"
Dolores thanked him and left,
followed by her baffled escort.
Pedro's spirits rose, however. when
it began to dawn on him how lucky he
was that Dolores had been able to pay
only for such short time. After all, a
year wasn't so very long to wait for
fortune Again he offered to take the
place of Carlos, and again Dolores
scorned him.
IAN right" he said grimly. ''only
you'll have to stay here until the time
is up, and then divide the gems with
me-"
Ever since the death of her husband,
Dolores had been so benumbed by
grief she had given little thought to
anything else, and Pedro had seemed
just a part of the whole nightmare.
Only now did she begin fully to re-
alize the dilemma she was in. She
groped vainly in her mind for a way
out; vague, grotesque plan began to
take form.
Very WE'LL" she assented, her eyes
narrowing slightly. "I'll stay, and give
you half the jewels; but only on con-
dition that you leave me entirely
alone"
Eagerly Pedro agreed. Il warn you,
though" he added, IF you betray me,
or try to run away. I'll turn you over
to the police - or kill you myself"
Dolores curtly nodded her under.
standing; and as they had now
reached the cabin. she entered, shut
ting the door sharply in Pedro's face.
For now she had two things to live for:
Little Carlos and - revenge.
Pedro returned to his work in the
mine, and every day his task grew
more and more irksome. Why should
he, who in a year would be a mil
lionaire. slave for others? He let out
hint of his coming wealth. and found
everyone very gullible and willing to
extend him credit: so he quit his dis
tasteful labor, and began leading life
of ease.
Dolores, on the other hand, found
employment with some makers of pot
terry in the city, and began carefully
boarding every centavo possible.
At last the time came when child
was born to Dolores, and as her lover
had predicted, it was boy. From then
on she went to work daily with Car
litos slung in shawl on her back.
One morning she met the sergeant
of rurales on the street; recognizing
her, he drew in his horse sharply.
I'm sorry we've never been able
to find the murderer of your hus-
band" he said. Have you, by any
chance, anything new to tell u.s."
Nothing. And I'm sure you've
done all that anvone could" After a