Chata and Chinita, Chapters XXXIII-XXXV [pp. 2-24]

20 Chata and Chinita. [July
"`Alas!' he continued.`As my eyes fol- I only know the words I would have spoken
lowed him, I thought any woman might be died on my lips. Whether Dona Isabel
pardoned loving him-had he not beguiled knew of it or not, I could not determine; but
my own heart? for I swear I loved him. Yet that the love of Herlinda Garcia and the
I wondered at the courage of the ~\??jia Her- young American was to die with him, that
linda-she who had seemed so timid,so yield- the terrible vengeance which had been
ing to her mother's every wish. Caramba! worked for her was not to be in vain, seared
it is true. "There is nothing too strong for itself upon my mind. The remembrnnce
love or death." I laughed to think how of that was to save my soul, and not conyouth in its folly can baffle caution; when fession. Never to mortal was my knowla sound behind me echoed the laugh. The edge to be breathed. This was the peniblood froze in my veins, so overpowering tence laid upon me. And so, despairing, I
was the very presence of the man even be- left her. What was the immortal soul of a
fore he touched me. Dios ~oJeroso! when poor peon in comparison to the honor of
I looked up, the man in the peasant's dress the family of Garcia.
hurled himself upon me-but the blaze in "`It was well; why should a servant gainhis eyes could burn only from the fierce and say his mistress? So months went on,
terrible rage of the evil spirit of that house; Senor. Within and around the hacienda
it was Leon Vall6 who dashed me down people were dying. They told me the nina
and rushed out into the night."' Herlinda herself ~as pining-some whis Chinita uttered an exclamation; then re- pered for the American, but a terror seized
peating the name, "Leon! Leon Valle'," even on the boldest, and the Amen can's
listened with bated breath, while Ashley name ceased to be heard, and that of the
continued-in the words of Pedro: young Gonzales took its place. The gossips
"`I knew at the moment that Ashley was were content to blame any name, unchid,
lost. No, a thousand prayers, nor the swift- for her wan cheeks and sunken eyes. But
est aid my cries could have gained him, I knew that no living man had aught to anwould not have saved him.' I waited, scarce swer for.
daring to breathe; with strained ears I list- "`I had not seen her for weeks and weeks;
ened. Would the murderer, his first work but one night a creature so pale and wan I
accomplished, return? I knew then he held thought it her ghost, accosted me. Strange,
my life forfeit, yet had he returned, I should strange the mission that brought her. It
have opened the gate to him. Ah, you was to entreat my protection-that of the
know not the power of that man! as it was worthless Pedro-for the child, which in
in Leon Valle', so it is now in Ramirez. secret and in banishment she was about to
God, what power in those terrible eyes! I bring into the world.
felt it then, I felt it today'. What resistance "`~~ll! well! I promised all she asked.
was possible? The morning came. I was I should have done so, even had I thought
still alive, but the people came to me cry- it possible the dire need she pleaded would
ing of the dead. What need had I to ask be hers. Oh! I have heard strange and
the name? In the midst of the tumult, a fearful tales of deeds that have been wrought
terrible shriek rang on my ears. I thought within`the wa'lls of these great and solitary
my brain was turning. There was but one haciendas; but that Dona Isabel would
thought that steadied it-confession, con- stoop to crime, and that I might find it in
fession to Dona Isabel. my power to save a child which she should
`As soon as it was possible I sought her strive to sacrifice, I could not believe.
presence. I cannot tell you what passed; Trouble, I thought, had made Herlinda