Year: 1875

|
the old gray building. The grass
on the lawn was tangled and weedy,
and the graveled walks we're over
grown with turf; only a single
light shown out on the blackness
Of the night. 1t glinted on the
tree-tops, and formed wierd shapes
far ont on the ground. ave watch
ed it intently, Mr.. I--and my
SELF" said Mr., as silently we
stood at the gate. The house is
far down in the Third District,
ruinous now, and fastening to de-
cay. The river rolled along, only
single street intervening, and the
splash of its dark waves was heard,
strangely miDgling with wall Of
distress that came from the house.
It had been tenanted but a few
hours. A foreign lady and her two
children had applied to the agent
for lease, and as she rendered the
rent In advance no questions were
asked. This we subsequently as
certained but at the moment Of
which I speak we only knew that
the old house had procured ten
ant. This had arrested our atten-
ton as we passed along the street.
Then the face Of a woman appear
ed at the window trying vainly to
peer out into the darkness. The
first glance at the anxious but
beautiful countenance electrified
me. had seen it before. Framed
there in the bright golden light of
the window-the bright glow rest
ing on the beautiful brow and
wealth of ebon tresses. It looked
like a picture Of the Madonna, or
radient vision seen in sleep.


/ knew it as the face of the wife
of a Mexican bandit.


For months we had looked for
him necessarily. His picture with
that of his wife, had been sent to
every city in the Union. His deed
of fearful atrocity had compelled
him months before to seek an asy-
lum here, but despite the greatest
~'e;iance. he had evaded an arrest.
and it was generally believed that
he had succeeded in making his
way to Cuba. Large rewards were
offered for his arrest, and his ap-
prehension we knew would make
us rich. He could hope for no
sympathy, for his cruelty had di-
vorced him from his kind.


Only the beautiful woman cluDg
to him in his despair and shared
the misfortunes that beset his life.
Now that her children were hush
ed in sleep the sorrow of her heart
found vent in cries and sobs of
distress. But the passionate grief
was soon subdued, and we knew
from her anxious glance she was
watching for her husbands return.


What was to be done


The residence, we were satisfied
had been selected with a view to
escape. II we waited for him to
enter the dwelling it was almost
certain he would evade us. If We
songht to apprehend him before
he got there the dense darkness
would aid his escape.


1t was at last concluded for Mr..
Ito remain outside while l en-
tered the building and waited his
coming. I have rarely performed
n more unpleasant duty. I could
scarcely tell you why; but l dread
ed the interview with the lady,
whose devotion and heroism had
won my sympathy. l have had
many such instances to occur in
my experience, but never one that
grated so harshly on my feelings.
Reaching the door ! finally obtain
ed admittance. and was shown by
the servant to the room from which
the light shone out into the dark.
ness.


"May I inquire the nature Of
thi, intrusion, siri" inquired the
lady with q grave dignity, and YET
with q sorrowful cadence that went
to my heart.


"Madam, my business is with
your husband"


"Her face blanched as / replied
and her utterance was tremulou'
when she said:


"He is not here"


CT know IL madam INIT he vii