FICTION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1798, 22 August 1906, Page 3

FICTION.

THE FATE OF A CROWN.* 4— A MOST ENGROSSING TALE OF LOVE AND ADVENTURE. BY SCHUYLER STAUNTON. (Copyright in the U.S. of America, by the ' Reilly and Britton Co.) [All Rights Resellved.] CHAPTER XXIII. AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR. We aroused ourselves at tide, and regarded the captain attentively. Ho turned Lis stern gaze upon one after the other, ami gave a growl of satisfaction as lie noted no craven among us. “You shall draw cubs, gentlemen, to decide trie order in which you must expiate your crime. I will show no partiality. See, hero are the slips, a number written upon each. Julio shall place them in hie l hat and allow ;,cu to draw.” He handed the bits of paper to one of life men and strode to the door of Lesha’s room. “Open!” he commanded, giving in a rap with his knuckles. There was no reply. ••Open!” said he, again, and paced his ear to the panel. Then, with a sudden gesture, no swung the door inward. ' A moment the officer stood motionless, gazing into the chamber. Then he turned to us a. face convulsed with anger. “'Who permitted the woman to escape?” he demanded. The guards, startled and amazed, peered over his boulders, into the vacant room, but none dared to answer. “What now, Captain, has your bird flown?” came Valcour 1 ® soft voice, and the spy entered the room and threw himself carelessly into a chair. Do Souza looked upon his colleague witli evident suspicion, and twisetd the ends of his moustache in sullen fury. Perhaps he dared not accuse Valcour openly, as the latter was the Emperor’s authorised representative. And it may bo the captain was not sincerely sorry that Lesba had escaped, and so saved him from the necessity of executing her for, after a period of indecision, the wrath of the officer seemed to cool, and he slowly i-egained his composure. Valcour, who was watching him, appeared to notice this, and said: “You forget the window, my Captain. It was not difficult for the senorita to steal across the roadway unobserved and take refuge in the forest, For my part, I am glad she is gone. Our royal master has little' credit in condemning a woman to such a death.” “Have a care, senhor. Your words are treasonable.”

‘•'The Emperor will he the first to applaud them, when he has time to think. Indeed, de Souza, were I in your place, I should ignore the order to execute these people. His Majesty acted under a severe, nervous strain, and he will not thank you, believe me, for carrying out his instructions so literally. “A soldier’s duty is to obey,” returned the officer, stiffly. Then, turning to the toll Uruguayan who held the hat, he added: “Let tire prisoners draw, Julio !” Another soldier now unfastened our bonds, and Paola, who was the first to ho approached by Julio, took a slip of paper from the hat and thrust it into his pocket without examination. Sanchez Bastro drew next, and smiled as he read his number. Then came my turn, and I own that I oeuld not repress a slight trembling of my fingers as I drew forth the fatal slip. It was number four. “Good!” murmured de Pintra, leading the Slip over my shoulder. “I Shall not bo alive to witness your death, Robert.” And then he took the last paper from the hat and added, “I am number two.” “I am the first,” Baid Bastro, with cheerfulness. “It is an honour, Bom -Miguel,” and he bowed respectfully to the chief. . Paola wore again the old, insane smile that always lent his face an indescribable leer of idiocy. I knew, by this'time, that the expression was indeed a mask to cover his real feelings, and idly wondered if he would choose to die with that detestable simper upon his lips. „ “Come, gentlemen; we are ready. It was the captain who spoke, and we rose obediently and filed through the doorway, clodely guarded. by the Uruguayans. In the vacant space that served a Srd for house stood a solitary te-palm, with a straight, slender trunk. Before this we hatted, and Bastro was led to the tree and a rope

passed around his body, securing him to the trunk. They offered to blindfold him. but he waved the men aside. "It will please me best to look into th© muzzles of your guns,” said, the patriot, in a quiet voioe. <f l am not afraid, Senhor Captain.” Be Souza glanced at the sun. It was slowly sinking, a ball of vivid red, into the bosom of the far-away plateau. At a gesture from the officer six of the guardsmen stepped forward and levelled their carbines upon Baatro, who Stood upright against the tree, with a proud smile upon his manly face. I turned away my head, feeling sick and dizzy; and the rattle of carbines set me trembling with nervous horror. Nor did I look towards the tree again, although, after an interval of silence, I heard the tramp of soldiers bearing Barttro’s body to the deserted house. “Number two!” cried do Souza, harshly. It was no time to turn craven. My own death was but a question of moments, and I realised that I bad little timo to bid farewell to my kind friend and strive to cheer him up upon his way. Going to his side, I seized Dom Miguel’s hand and pressed it 'to my lips; but he wart not content with that, and caught me in a warm and affectionate embrace. Then be was led to the tree. . I turned my back, covering my lace with mv hands. “For the Cause!” I hoard his gentle voice rtav, the carbines rang out a second time, and a convulsive throb burst from my throat in spite of my strong efforts to control my emotion. Again I listened to the solemn tread of the soldiers, while from far away the sound of a shout was borne to us upon the sfill evening air. Somehow, that distant shout thrilled me with a new-born bone, and I gazed eagerly along the hue of roadway that skirted the forest. Do Souza was gazing there, too, with a disturbed look upon his face; but the light was growing dim, and we could see nothing. “Number three!”

It was Paola’s turn., and he walked unassisted to the tree and set his back to it, while the soldiers passed the rope under birt arms and then retired. But they left Valcour confronting the prisoner. and I saw the simper fade from Paola’s lips and an eager gleam light his pale features. For a few moments they stood thus, separated from all the rest, and exchanging earnout whispers, while the captain stamped libs foot with savage impatience. “Come, come, Valcour!” be called, at last. “You are interfering with my duty. Leave the prisoner, I command you!” The spy turned around, and his face was positively startling in its expression of intenso agony. “If you are in a hurry, my dear Captain, fire upon us both!” said ho, bitterly. With a muttered oath de Souza strode forward, and, seizing Valcour by the arm, dragged him back of the firing line. But at that instant a startling sound reached our ears —the sound of a cheer —and with it came the rapid patter of horses? feet. The soldiers, who had already levelled the guns at Paolo, swung suddenly around upon their heels; de Souza uttered an exclamation of dismay, and tlio resit of us stood as motionless as if turned to stone. For sweeping around the curve of the forest came a troop of horsemen led by a girl, whose fluttering skirts trailed behind her like a banner borne on the breeze. God! how they rode—the horses plunging madly forward at every hound, their red ©yes and distended nostrils bearing evidence of the wild run that bad well-nigh exhausted their strength.

And the ridera, as they sighted us, screamed curses and encouragement in the same breath, bearing down upon our silent group with the speed of a whirlwind. There was little time for the Uruguayans to recover from thelir surprise, for at dose range the horsemen let fly a volley from' rifle and revolver that did deadly havoc. A few saddles were emptied in return, but aimed; immediately the soldiers and patriots were engaged in a desperate band-to hand conflict, with no quarter given or expected. Do Souza, fell wounded at the first volley, and I saw Valcour, with a glad cry, start forward and run towards Paola, who was still bound to his tree. But the captain, half raising himself from tho ground, aimed his revolver at the prisoner, as if determined upon his death in spite of the promised rescue. “Look out!” I shouted, observing the action. Paola was, of course, helpless to evado the bullet; but Valcour, who had nearly reached him, turned suddenly at my cry, and threw himself in front of Paola' just as the shot rang out.

An instant the spy stood motionless). Then, toss’ng his arms above his head, he fell backward and lay still. CHAPTER XXIV. THE! EMPEROR’S SPY. Although the deadly conflict was raging all about us, I passed it by to regard a still more exciting tragedy. For with a roar like that from a mad bull, Mazanovitoh dashed article his captors and sprang to the spot where Valcour lay. “Oh, my darling, my darling!” he moaned, raising the delicate form that he might pillow the head upon his knee . “How dared they harm you, my precious one ! How dared they!” Paola, struggling madly _ with his bonds, succeeded in bursting them asunder, and now staggered up to kneel beside Valcour. His eyes were (Staring and full of a horror that his own near approach to death had never for an instant evoked. Taking one of the spy’s hands in both his own, he pressed it to his heart, and said in trembling tones: “Look up, sweetheart! Look up, I beg of you. It is Francisco —do you not know me? Are you dead, Valcour? Are you dead?” A gentle hand pushed him aside, and Lesba knelt in his place. With deft fingers she bared Valcour’® breast, tearing the soft linen through which a crimson sta'n had already spread, and bending over a wound in the left, shoulder to examine it closely. Standing beside the little group, I found myregarding the actors in thus romakable drama with an interest almost equalling their own. The bared breast revealed nothing to me, however, for already I knew that Valcour was a woman.

Presently Lesha looked up into the little man’s drawn face and smiled. “Fear nothing, Captain Mazanovitch,” said she"softly; “the wound is not veiy dangerous, and—please God! —we will yet save your life.” Hi's daughter! How much of the mystery that had puzzled me this simple word revealed! Paola, still kneeling and covering his face with his hands, was sobbing like a child; Maza.noviteh drew a long breath and allowed his lids to again droop slowly over his eyes*; and then Lesha looked up and our eyes met. “I am just in time, Robert,” she murmured, happily, and bent over Valcour to hide the flush that dyed her sweet face. I started and looked around me. In the gathering twilight the forms of the slaughtered Uruguayans lay revealed where they had fallen, for not a single member of Bom Pedro’s band of inert cenaries had estaaped the vengeance of the patriots. Those of our rescuers who survived were standTng in a little group near by, leaning upon thir long rifles, awaits ing further commands. Among them I recognised Pedro, and beckoning him to follow me, I returned to the house and lifted a door from its hinges. Between us we bore it to the yard and very gently placed Valoour’s slight form upon the improvised stretcher.

She moaned at the moment, and slowly unclosed her eyes. It was Paola’s face that bent over her and Paola that pressed her hand; so she s*miled and closed her eyes- again., like a tired child.

We carried her into the little chamber whence Lesha had escaped,, for in the outer room lay iSide by side the silent forms of the martyrs of the Republic. Tenderly placing Valcour upon the couch, Pedro and I withdrew and closed the door behind us. I had started to pass through the outer room into the yard, when an exclamation from the station mastei ai - rested me. Turning back, I found that Pedro had knelt beside Bom Miguel, and with broken sobs was pressing the master’s hand passionately to his lips. My own heart was heavy with sorrow as I leaned over the outstretched form of our beloved ofaiof for a last look into

his still face. Even as I did so my pub; gave a bound of joy. The heavy eyelids trembled—ever so slightly—the chest expanded in a genuine sigh, and slowly, oh, so slowly—the eyes of Dom Miguel unclosed and gazed upon us with their acoustomed sweetness anti intelligence. “Master! Master!” cried Ptfdro, bending over with trembling eagerness, “it is dlone. It is done, my master. The Revolution is accomplished—Fondeoa is supreme in Rio —the army is ours! The country is ours! God bless the Republic of Brazil!” My own heart swelled at th,.> glad tidings, now heard for the first time. But over the face of the martyred chief swept an expression of joy so ecstatic —rto like a dream or heaven fulfilled —that we scarcely breathed as we watched the light grow ludiant vi hi© eyes and linger there will© an jjshen pallor succeeded the flush upon his cheeks. Painfully Dom Miguel reached out his arms to us, and Pedro and I each clasped a hand with our own. “I am glad,” he whirpered, softly. “Glad and content. God bless the Republic of Brazil!” The head fell back; the light faded from his eyes and left them glazed and staring; a tremor passed through his body, communicating its even to us who held his bauds, as t!)y an electric current. Pedro still kneeled and sobbed, but I contented myself with pressing the hand and laying it gently upon Dom Miguel’s breast. Truly it was done, and well done. In Rio they were cheering the Republic while here in Uaiis. isoloated cottage, surrounded by the only carnage tho Revolution had involved, lay stilled, for ever that great heart which had given to its native land the birthright of Liberty. a * ®

Lesba liad dressed Val-cour’s wound with surprising slciill, and throughout the long dreary night she. bathed the girl’s hot forehead and nursed her as tonderly as a sister might, while Paola sat silently hy and watched every movement.

In the early morning Pedro summoned us to breakfast, which he had himself prepared; and, as Valcour was sleeping, Lesha and Mazanovitoh joined me at the table, while Paola still kept ward in the wounded girl’s chamber. The patriots were digging a trench in which to inter the dead Uruguayans, and I stood in the doorway a moment and watched them, drinking in at the same time the cool morning air.

There Lesha joined mo, somewhat pale from her night’s watching, and although as yet no word of explanation, had passed between us, she knew that I no longer doubted her loyalty, and forbore to blame me for my stupidity in not comprehending that her every action had been for the welfare of the Cause.

At breakfast Pedro told us more of the wonderful news; how the Revolution had suc-oeedgd in Rio with practically no bloodshed or resistance; how Fonseca had met the Emperor at the train on his arrival and escorted him, well guarded, to the port, where lie was put on board a ship that sailed at once for Lisbon. Indeed, that was to bo the last of Dom Pedro’s rule, for the populace immediately proclaimed Fonseca dictator, and the patriots!* dream of a Republic of Brazil had become an established fact.

Presently we passed into the outer room and looked upon the still form of Miguel de Pintra, the man to whose genius the new Republic owed its success —the great leader who had miserably perished on the very eve of his noble achievement. The conspiracy was a conspiracy no longer; it had attained to the dignity of a masterly Revolution, and the Causa of Freedom had once more prevailed !

Taking Lesba’s hand, we passed the bodies of Bastro and Captain de Souza and gained the yard, walking slowly along the road that skirted the forest, while she told me how Valcour had assisted her to escape from the cli amber, that she might summon the patriots to effect our rescue. She had. wandered long in the forest, she explained, before Pedro met her and assisted her to gather the band that saved us. Yet the brave girl’s grief was intense that she had not arrived in time to rescue her guardian, Bom Miguel, whom she so dearly loved. “Yet I think, Robert,” said she, with tearful eyes, “that uncle would have* died willingly had he known the Republic was assured.” “Ho did know it,” said I: “For a moment last evening he recover* d consciousness. It was but a momei/t, but long enough for Pedro to tell him the glorious news of victory. And he died content, Lesha, although I know how happy it would have made him to live to see the triumph of the new Republic. His compatriots would also have taken great pride in honouring Dom Miguel above all men for hii faithful service.”

She made no reply to this, and. for a time we walked on in gloomy silence. “Tell me, Lesba, have you long had knowledge of Valoour’s i%a! idesrtity?” “Frano ; sco told me the truth months ago, and that he loved her,” she replied. “But Valcour was sworn to the Emperor's (Service, and would not lis-

ten to my brother as long as she suspScted him’ of being in league wrtlh.’ thie Republicans. So, they schemed and struggled against on© another for the supremacy, while each admired the, other’s talents, and doubtless longed for the warfare to ©ease.” , “And how came the girl to he the Emperor’s spy, masquerading under the guise of a man?” I -inquired. _ “She is the daughter of Captain Mazanoviteh, who, when her mother died, took delight in instructing his child in all the arts known to* the detective police. As she grew up she became of great service to her father, being often employed upon missions of extreme delicacy and even danger. ■ Mazanovitch used to boast that she was a better detective than himself, and the Effiperdr 'became attached to the girl, and made her his confidential • bodyguard, sending her at times upon important secret missions connected with the government. When Mazanowitch 'was won over to the Republican conspiracy, his daughter, whose ireal name is Carlotta, refused to desert the Emperor; and "from that time on treated her father ad a traitor, and opposed her wit to his own on every occasion. The male attire she wore both for convenience and as a disguise; but I have learned to kniow Valcour well-, and have found her exceedingly sweet and womanly, despite her professional calling.” It was aill simple enough, once one had the due; yet so extraordinary was the ebory that it aroused my wonder. In no other country than half-civilised "Brazil, I reflected, could such a drama have been enacted. When we returned to the house, we passed the window of Valcour’s room and paused to Itook through the open Bath. The girl was awake and apparently much better, foa* she smiled" brightly into the face Paola bent over her, and showed no resentment when he stooped to kisd her lips. CHAPTER XXV. THE GIRL I LOVEIt was long ago, that day that brought Liberty to Brazil and glory to the name of Miguel de Pintrn. Fate is big, but her puppets are small, and such atoms are easily swept aside .and aeattdsed by the mighty flood tide of events for which we hold capricious Fat© responsible. Vet they leave records, these atoms.. I remember how we came to Rio— Valoour, Lesha, Paola, and I—and how Paola was carried through the streets perched upon the shoulders •of tno if re©. citizens, while vast throngs pressed around to cheer, and strong men struggled to touch the patriot’s hand and load him with expressions of love and ; gratitude. .And there was no simper upon Paola’s face then, you may he sure. Since .the tragedy at B'astrofe that • disagreeable expression had vanished for ever, to be replaced by a manliness that was) the fellow’s most natural attribute, and fitted his fine features much, better than the repulsive leek he had formerly adopted as a mask.

Valcour, still weak, but looking rarely beautiful in her robes, rod© in a carriage beside Francisco, and shared 'in the fulness of Ms triumph. The patriots! were heroes in those early days of the Republic. Even I, modest as had "been my deeds, was bheered ( 'far beyond my desserts, .and for Lesba they wove a wreath of flowering laurel, and forced the happy and blush- ? ing ,girl to wear it throughout our progress through the streets of the capital.

.Fonseca invited lie) t© palace, -where lie had established his beadquarters.; but we preferred to go to the .'humbler home of Captain Mazanovitoh, wherein we might remain in .comparative retirement during the exciting events of those' first days of rejoicing. . Afterwards we witnessed the grand procession in honour of the Dictator. 1 remember that Fonseca and his* old enemy Piexoto rode together in the Sam© carriage, all feuds being buried in the common triumph. The bluff general wore his most gorgeous uniform, and the lean statesman his shabby .grey cloak. And in my judgment the .adulation of the populace was fairly divided between these two champions, although the Dictator of the Republic bowed with ;pompous pride to right •.and left, while the little man who was' destined to afterward become Preisident of the United States of Brazil shrank back in hie comer with assumed modesty. Yet Piexoto’s eyes, shrewd and'observing, were everywhere, and it may be guessed that he lost no' detail of the day’s events. Paul a should have been in that procession, likewise, for the people fairly idolised the-former Minister of Police; and both. Fonseca and Piexoto had summoned him to join them. But, no; he preferred to sit at Yalcour’s side in a quiet, sunlit room, effacing himself in all eyes but hers, while history wad making in the crowded! streets of the capital. It required many clays to properly -organise a republican form of government ; but the people were patient and "forbearing, and their leaders loyal and true; so, presently, order began to

come out of chaos. Meantime, Valoour mended daily, and the roses that had so long been strangers to her pale cheeks began to blossom prettily under the influence of Francisco’s loving care. 'They were happy days, I know; for Ledba and Ishared them, although not bo quietly. For the dear girl was all aglow with the triumph of Liberty, and dragged me as her escort to every mass meeting or festival and everyone of the endless processions until the enthusiasm of her compatriots had thoroughly tired me out. The Liberty of Brazil bade fair to deprive me of my own; but I bore the ordeal pretty well, in Desba’s society. Then came a day when I obtained my reward. Valcour had made a quick recovery ? and now needed only the strengthening influence of country air; so one bright morning we all boarded a special train and travelled to Cuyaba, reaching safely the de Pintra mansion in the early evening.

Nothing seelmed changed about the dear old place, which I had already arranged to purchase from Dom Miguel’s executors. Fed(ro had resigned his position as station master to become our major-domo, and the thoughtful .fellow had made every provision for our comfort on this occasion of our home-coming. Captain Mazanovitch was with us. Be had retired from active service to Cnjoy his remaining years in his daughters society, and although he seldom allowed one of us to catch a glimpse of his eyes, the face of the old detective had acquired an expression of content that was a distinct advantage to it. I had chosen to occupy my old room off the library, and early on the morning following our arrival I arose and passed out into the shrubbery. Far dbwn the winding walks, set within the very centre of the vast flower gardens, was the grave of Dorn Miguel, and thither I directed my steps. As I drew near I slaw the square block of white marble that the patriots had caused to be erected above the last resting place of their beloved chieftain. It bore the words “MIGUEL BE PINTRA, SAVIOUR OF BRAZIL,” and is to this day the Mecca of all good republicans. Lesha was standing beside the tomb as I approached. Her gown was as white ad the marble itself, but a reid rose lay upon her bosom, and another above Dom Miguel. She did not notice my presence until I touched her arm 1 , but then she turned and smiled into my eyes. “ ‘Saviour of Brazil!’ ” she whispered softly. “It is splendid and fitting. Bid you place it there, Robert?” “No,” I answered, truly; “it was due to Piexoto. He claimed the privilege for himself and hiS associates, and I considered it his right.” “Dear uncle!” said she; and then we turned reverently away and strolled through the gardens. Elver y flower and shrub lay fair and fresh under the early sun, and we admired and drank in their fragrance, until suddenly, as we turned a cornea’ of the hedge, I stopped and said:

“Lesba, it was here that I first met ; you ; on this exact spot !” I watched! hdr face anxiously. f bt was here that I prophesied you would ho true to the Cause.” “And it was here that I loved you,”; I added; “for I cannot remember a moment since that first glimpse of your dear face that my heart has not been your very own.” She grew sober at this speech, and I watched fer 'face anxiously. ‘Tell me, Lesba.” said T. at last, “will you be my wife?” “And go to your country?” she asked,: quickly. I hesitated. “All my interests are there, and my ’people, ad well, I answered. <f ßut I cannot leave Brazil,” she rejoined, positively; “and Brazil needs you, too, Robert, in these years when she is beginning to stand alone and take her place among nations. Has not Fonseca offered you a position as Director of Commerce ?” “Yete; I am grateful for the honour. But I have large and important business interests at home.” “But your uncle is fully competent to look after them. You have told me as much. We need you here more! than they need yon at home, for your commercial connections and special training will be of inestimable advantage in assisting the Republic to build up its commerce and extend its interests in foreign lands. Brazil needs you'. I need you, Robert! Won’t you stay with ud—dear? For a time, at least ?”

Well, I wrote Uncle Nelson, and his. reply was characteristic. “I loaned you to de Pintra, not to Brazil,” his letter read. “But I am convinced the experience to be gained in that country during these experi- ; mental years of the new republic will be most valuable in fitting you for the management of your own business when you are finally called upon to assume it. You may remain absent for, five year®, but at the -expiration _ of j that period I shall retire from active j business, and yon must return to take j my place.” _ : On these terms I compromised -with j Lesba, and we were married on the

gjp.TnA day that Valcour and Francisco P'aola became man and wife. “I should -have married you, anyway,” Lesba confided, to me afterwards; “but I could not resist the chance) toaccompMsh one master-stroke for the good of my country.” And -Eh© knew , the compliment woulid cancel the treachery even before I had kissed, her. As I have hinted, these events happened years ago; and I wonder if I have forgotten any incident that you would be interested to know. Dom Miguel’d old home became our country residence, apd we clung to it every day I could spare from my duties at the capital. It was her© our little Valcour was born, and here that Francisco came afterward to bless our love and add to our happiness and content. The Paolas are our near neighbours, and often Captain Mazanovitch drives over with their son Harcliff© to give the child a romp with our little ones. The old detective is devoted to the whole noisy band, but yesterday I was obliged to reprove Francisco for poking his chubby fingers into the captain’s eyes in a futile endeavour to make him raise the ever-dropping lids. The five-year limit expired long since; but I have never been able to fully separate my interests from those of Brazil, and although our winters are unusually passed in New Orleans, where Uncle Nelson remains the vigorous head of our firm, it is in sunny Brazil that my wife and I love best to live. THE END.