Year: 1879

SCClCG dUOuG ouCu ~ SAAS AAAAS SNF
pose for the purpose OF adding mental dis
tress and suspense to the bodily punishment
that one endures. However, it was enough
for me that had been recaptured, and thai
l should in all probability have to serve Out
my term-which Ibid.


"Finally, was discharged. l returned tc
the capital, ruined in fortune as in reputation
only to meet more bitter blow. Poor Car
men, my beloved bride, had pined away Of
grief during my captivity, and had been dead
and buried several months before my release
Her father drove me from his inn with curses
and reproaches, when I presented myself
there. My own relatives and former friends
Stunned me. l was miserable, ruined
mana beggar in the streets


"The second day following my return was
Easter Sunday, which was to be the occasion
of an immense festival-a holy day and civic
celebration combined, whose crowning feature
in the evening was to be the illumination OF
the cathedral, which had just been completed
in every part, and was to receive sort of re.
dedication.


II cared nothing for these things as | wan:
dered, on the preceding Saturday, ragged
and hungry, through the gay and crowded
streets But chance led me here to the front
of the cathedral, where read placard con-
cerning the illumination, that gave me new
hope


"It announced that one hundred workmen
were required for the lighting Of the dome
and cupola, three hundred for the cornices,
pillars, colonnades and the like; and stated,
in conclusion, that every workman employed
on the outside of the dome and cupola should,
on account of the extreme danger attending
the employment, receive in payment hearty
dinner and the sum of twenty pesos-the
wages of the rest being less than one-halt
that sum.


"There were few applicants for the dan
gerous posts; but desperate work at fair
pay was just in my line. l went at once to
the major-domo having charge of the illum-
ination, was entered upon his list, received
two pesos as an earnest of the contract, and
engaged to present myse punctually at noon
of the following day. That evening ! supped
we'll at street stall, and bought leave to
sleep on some straw in stable at the back OF
the Gale del Theatre.


II was at the Office on time next day, and
together with a rabble of poor fellows, doubt
less as miserable and desperate as myself, was
ushered into hall where two tables had been
laid for our accommodation. We were ush-
cred in by file of sentries, and as we stood
around the table, grace was read by good
old padre, whom had known and loved in
better days, but who had quite forgotten me:


GAS he began to read, a magnetic thrill
shot through me. 1t impelled me to look
across to the opposite table, and there-yes,
BY all the saints there I saw Valdemar.


"He was looking full at me, but his eyes
dropped on meeting mine; and I saw him
turn perfectly livid Caramba what sea
of revengeful recollections surged upon me.
Oh that I might live to meet him yet, under
the free sky, where no priest was praying and
no guards were by!


"The dinner lasted long, and when no one
seemed able to eat more, the tables were clear
ed Most of the men threw themselves upon
the floor and benches, and went to sleep In
preparation of the hazardous night-work that
was before us-Pedro among the number. l
could not refrain from going over and spurn'
ing him with my foot.


"'Pelro, you know mep hissed.


".Dablo!' he growled, looking suddenly
up; 4 thought you were in the mines.


"'It is not your fault that I am not there
STILL I muttered. But, hearken If you
and 1 survive this night, you shall answer,
for your treachery'


"l1e only glared at me from under his
bushy eyebrows, and without replying turned
over ON his side again, as if to sleep.


"He had evidently gained little by his vii.
lainy, for he was dirty, ragged and apparent.
ly as friendless as /.


"The guard aroused us at seven in the even
ing. We were then marched in double tile
around by the back of the cathedral, and con-
Quoted by an inclined plane to the roof below
the dome. From this point long series OF
staircases and winding passages carried US up
between the double walls Of the dome; and
at different stages in the ascent, a certain num-
Der of us were detached and posted ready for
work. I was detached about halfway up,
and I saw Pedro going higher STILL


"When we were all posted, the superinten-
dent came around and instructed US. At a
given signal, every man was to pass through
the loophole, or window, before which he was
stationed, and seat himself astride upon mar
row shelf of wood hanging to strong rope
Just below. This rope came through the win.
dow, was wound around roller, and secured
from within.


"At the next signal, lighted torch would
be put into his right hand, and he was to
grasp the rope firmly with his left. AT the
given signal the rope was to be unwound
from within, by an assistant placed there for
the purpose; he was to be allowed to slide
rapidly down over the bulge of the dome, and
while thus sliding was to apply his torch to
every lamp he passed in his downward pro-
gress. :,


"Having received these Instructions we all
waited, each man at his window, until the sig
nal should be given.


"Por dios but it was desperate work. Just
run your eye over the cathedral dome yonder,
senior, and you will understand the method OF
this thing better than l can tell it. Those
windows, circling it midway up, look like
pigeon holes from where we stand, but, heav'
en- preserve you they would look like church
doors, were you sitting just outside OF them,
as was on that terrible night.


my window must have been that one dl'
rectly over the centre facade yonder. At tany
rate, heavy body dropped from it would
have struck plumb in the middle of the Bravo
Stone there, and given it the zigzag fracture
which you see upon it. That am perfectly
certain of this, you will presently be aware.


"Well, there we we're all stationed, and il
was fast growing dark. All the great ribs Of
the dome, as far as 1 could see, and all the
cornices, friezes, columns and parapets, sur
rounding the plaza, three hundred feet below
were traced out in lines of paper lanterns
which cleaned with silvery fire that had 8