As Told at Martin’s

Waikato Independent, Volume V, Issue 321, 8 January 1907, Page 3

As Told at Martin’s

By Beatrix Belllcto De Luna.

“'The day that Sanchez was to be executed Antonina demanded of Ruiz that he should gain permission for her to see her former loser alone. It was not known what excuse she gave for this seemingly strange request, but, at any rate, it was’granted her. What took place at the interview was never disclosed. Immediately after it was over Sanchez was marched into the courtyard,-placed with his face to the wall'aud shot to death. He methisi fate with gallant indifference. “Antonina watched him die, from one of the windows, without a sign of emotion, save a narrowing of the eyelids andi a slight compression of the lips. She danced that night, but canceled her engagement for the following week, sayingshe was going to leave the city for a rest. “A few days later I happened to be in one of the shabbiest parts of town, ■and there met a woman whose resemblance to the dancer was so striking that I turned and looked after her as she passed me. She went into a miserable looking hovel and, as I loitered near, hoping to solve the mystery, she came out again, and walked swiftly by me. This time I was convincedithat it was Antonina. Much puzzled at her appearance in such a place, I followed) her, but soon she disappeared down a narrow side street, and being unfamiliar with that part of the town, I lost track of her. day I was called away from the city, and when I returned I found the social world in a state of expectation over a grand reception zo be given by Gen. Ruiz in honor of some of the American officers. The chief attraction was the announcement that Antonina had been engaged to dance for the entertainment of the guests. I determined to accept my invitation, as the woman possessed a great attraction for me. I was present at the reception. “The salas were crowded with a brilliant assembly. Scores of beautiful women, and the handsome Spanish efficers in their showy uniforms, mingled with the more sober dress of our country, gave a most picturesque effect to the scene. It was nearly midnight when the dancer arrived. She had driven directly from the theater, and was attired in a most magnificent costume, while on her breast glittered the Ruiz c iamond. As she came into the ballroom, she was greeted with oravos and was showered with flowers. She paused a moment on the threshold, and responded with a faint, half mocking smile. Then slowly raising her arms, she stepped forward. Instantly the orchestra struck up with the passionate music of El Sol, and the guests drew away from the center of the room, leaving her standing Jn a blaze of color and jewels—alone cn the polished floor. “I will not attempt to describe the dance. We watched her with deep drawn breaths, and dizzy brains, as she whirled herself from the lazy languor of the beginning to the mad abandon at the end. Ruiz, unable ti contain his emotions, caught up a flower that had dropped fmm her hair, and, unmindful of observers, kissed it. She saw the action, and with a sidelong glance tore the scarlet scarf from her waist, and, still dancing, threw it over his neck. Something gleamed in her h-vnd, and some instinct warned me of mischief. I stepped to Ruiz’ side. Antonina stretched out her hand, and held me back, and if ever I saw the devil look out from a woman’s eyes, I saw it shining then between her half closed lids. “ ‘Adios, companeros,* she said in clear, ringing tones, *1 go to wait for you in hell.’ “With a swift motion she buried the dagger, which had been concealed in her hand, in her heart, and as the last strains of the music died away she fell to the floor, the wicked smile frozen on her mouth. “Three weeks- later, Gen. Ruiz and every one of his subordinate officers died of the most maliginant kind cf smallpox. Antonina had searched until she had found a case, as we afterward discovered—had exposed Sanchez’ sword belt to the infection, an] thus carried the infection to Ruiz, gaining a vengeance which few brains could have evolved. She had loved the man whose life she had sold for a jewel.’’ “Why did she take her life?” questioned Lester. “That,” answered Brown, “was a phase of her character which I found hard to understand, though I believe that she preferred death to the loss of her charms, and knew that she surely must have had the dread disease herself. To me the most wonderful thing about her was that she could love so intensely, and never by word or sign betray hex-self, •even when she saw him die, and knew that she was responsible for his death. That is something J have never seen in any other woman, and gave evidence of a will that could have moved empires, had it not spent *ill its energy on one man.” (Continued from last issue.) **** ‘