Chata and Chinita, Chapters XXXIX-XLI [pp. 291-310]

1887.] Chata and Chini~a. 397
than silence. 0 my God, I meant well! - Chata shuddered. It seemed incredible
it was for Herlinda's sake. Yet what re- that save by accident such a thing could
morse, what agony I have suffered!" happen, so sacred was the tie between the
The two women sank each in the other's sponsor and his godchild; yet the tone of
an~s. There had ever been a barrier of the letter impressed her as that of a desperreserve between them. In a moment it was ate man, who was ready for unheard of
swept away. Dona Isabel poured out her deeds. Had he deliberately destroyed the
heart; it was Carmen who withheld what man whom for years he had associated in
might have been revealed - a conviction his every hope and plan, to whom he had
seized her that there was much in this promised the hand of his child? Deep instrange family mystery yet undeclared; and deed must have been the villainy that had
that her mother's mind was in no condition merited such an end. The sigh of relief
to be perplexed by further doubts and com- which Chata involuntarily breathed that she
plications. She left the room and went to was free from the possible accomplishment
her husband. of the destiny that had been marked out for
"Chulita," he said anxiously when she her, was perhaps the only one breathed
left him an hour later, "thou wilt do noth- over the death of Fernando Ruiz.
ing rash? yet I will not forbid thee. In A reperusal of the letter gave to her mind
truth, but that ~iagios are so common upon an impression of the longing, the stinging
the roads, I would go with thee myself." regret, the remorse, which the words had
Not for the world!" exclaimed Dona been designed to conceal rather than dis
Can~en in genuine consternation. "They play. The pride, the fierceness, the unwould seize thee and carry thee into the conquerable will of the writer pervaded
mountains. But as for me - I promise thee them, yet the wail of a lost spirit crying for
no robber shall think me worth a second the one good that it' had known, and bethought. But hold thee ready - the desire lieved forfeited forever, seemed to echo
may come to her at a moment's thought, through her soul. "He loves me," she
and I would not leave thee without warning, thought remorsefully. "He believes himI would not have thee unprepared." self doomed to die, and that he will see me
About this time, Chata to her surprise no more. Oh! if it were possible I would
received by the hand of an Indian fruit- go to him. 0 if I dared tell Dona Isabel!
seller a brief note from Ramirez. At the — but no, she would keep me from him;
first reading its contents seemed hard and she would mock my pain with the cry that
indifferent. He spoke with an almost sav- this was but the just recompense of the
age irony of those who were driving him evil he had brought upon her long ago.
back like a wolf to his nlountain lairs. "I She believes her brother dead; why torture
know of fastnesses, if I care to seek them, her by telling her my miserable history?"
where no foot but mine has ever trod, and She showed the letter to Dona Carmen,
where this accursed American, who is hunt- and she it was who called her attention to
ing me down like fate, could never hope some chance mention of the name of the
to follow me," he wrote. " But it shall place where he might be able to remain
never be said that Ramirez fled from man some days, even if closely pressed, for the
or spirit, were it Satan himself. After all a people there were secretly sworn to his
man may not escape from him who is des- support. Day after day, wild rumors flew
tined to bring death to him. Ruiz was through the city of the pursuit of Ramirez,
marked to die by me, and his fate is his capture, his death, only to be contraaccomplished." dicted upon the next. They did not