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fection of her husband whom she idollZed.


It is exceedingly probable that the lady might


have had other causes for jealousy than that here


narrated; but this is the only one whose remem-


brance has survived.


The following morning rose bright and clear


upon the pded turretS and crystal fountains which


sparkled in the sunbeams they fell upon the


rnapniicent Castello The festival Of Santa Cata-
rina was to be celebrated with unusual splendor,


less in honor of the Saint herself than of the


knights of Saint Catherine, who were SoJournTng


at the Castle.


Preparations for the religious and military fcs


tival were made with all the magni6ccnce Gus


tonarv in the age and nation where personal


proves was the strongest claim to admiration, and


the chief attributes of religion, pride and pomp


Thus the day wore on until the hour OF sleSta
arrived when, every one wcarled with the heat
and fatigue of the morning, sought rest and repose


Silence prevailed throughout the mansion; the


Marchioness again wrapped the mantlla around
her stately person, and descended to the boat
The drowsv boatmcn, who werc following the
example of their masters in yelling to the intense
heat, were much to their annoyance, aroused; and
again the lady approached the enchanting villa of
Las Chasrcs.


She assembled the soping bank softly and met
no one to interrupt her progress. She entered the
house. anil without being observed gained the
chamber of Elena The room small, but fit



ness enblematcal of the innocence and virgin pIl-
rity of its occupant. On every side seen the
simple but elegant preparations for the festivities
of the evening. The gala dress lay upon the bed,
and tic choicest perfumes were OH the table
wreath of orange flowers for the hair, and gold
rosary with its sparkling cross were placed on
small marble table near the bed, and even the de-
lcately embroidered slippers were ready for use.
The fair mistress Of the chamber bre;lthed softly
., bar nj ilrp no Indy
ed and bending over her, contemplated for while
the rare and almost nEIntile oveincSS OF the sleep
er-strangely contras:cd with the turbulent feel
ings an violent passions which marrcd her mag
nifcent beauty, Apparently pleasant tlncicS oc-
cupied the mini of the unconscious girl for u |
smile at that moment half parted the rose colorcd
lips, smile so swcrt that it might have Soltencd
the heart of her vinIictivc enemy had not at that
moment a spark of light froma diamond of sing,l-
lar beauty CLEANED npon her sight. She rccog-
nzed her husbanIS ring Oil thu d, licately bcauti.
full hanl which hung SO clTrlc>sly i'll its uncon-
sciouS grace. This Stecird hcr heart and sealed j
the fate Of her victim With IN unfeeling hand
she dropped portion of the contents of small
vial on the half open lips, This vial contained
poison collected from the finSs of the Cobra de
Capello. 4 few moments onI Sufccd for 1t TO
take effect The rich red blood quickly retrcated
from the checks, giving place to large black spots





tine then became perfectly stilI-and the form of
the lovelicst maiden of AnIalusia rapidly chang
ed to that of livid AMI blackcncd corpse. But
the work was not even then compl:-tcd. Death
itself did not satisfy the cruel and vn1ictivc woman
She drew from its silver sheath sharp stileto,
and without quailing. without even Shuldcring,
she severed the hand from the d. licacly rounded
arm of the unfortunate girl. She then rc-arrang-
ed the drapery in the most lifGlike manner posi-
1rrv- rlO tho 1D1yx
that dark ani deathIy chamber, with no other
emotions than those of gratilicd revengr and tri
umph


Noblemen, bishops, knights, and Iadics-thc
beautiful and the gay-ccclcsastics, and laymrn ,
the wise and the foolish-the young and old,
crowded around the extensive tables, which groan-
ID under all the splcndor that wealth and taste
could heap upon them. The pillars were gar ,
anded with gaycst wreaths Lights flashed a.
found the columns, anil along the verandahs, and
throughout the trclliced walks. Light everywhere :
and jewels of priceless value blazed and were
eclpsed by brighter cycs Loud pcalS of hugh +,
er and load and merry jests rcsoundcd through :
he lofty halls. Wine circulated freely, and the
ongS were repeated with accompanments oftrum-
'ets, drum AMI fifeS-lnd brave knights loudly
the beauty of their mstrcsseS and cha-
enged the world to produce their equals. The
aides stretched forth their swan-likc necks, and
their champions with bright smiles L
md grateful applause; The Marchioness moved 4
conspicuous among all these; for her noble bear
ng and magnificent beauty, coupled with the
trace and affrbiIity which won all hearts, had d
lever showed moro remarkable than on this mem
'rable evening C


"A gift proclaimed tho heralds, u gift from La f
sonora Dona Isabel to her noble lord on his in t
tallation as Knight of the holy order of Santa C
1atarina-a badge to distinguish his person, and t
talisman to preserve his courage p


Methnks your Marquis is loving lord said q
he young Knight Don Luis dc Mendoza, she is
years no colors those of his lady wife, and I
'laces his lance in rest for no other beauty ii


Every eye was turned on her with admiration, a
nd the Marchesa smiles haughtiIy. Il


The page at that moment, approached his lord d
earring the gift, supposed to be scarf embroidcr d
with his ladys hair, or lettcred with her name k
nd motto. 1t was enclosed in u small box of en-
osscd gold, which was inscribed with precious
tones the following motto: a talsman to stir up
nc heart of the most noble and valiant the Mar
uis de las Torres With flashing eye and lip F
1reathed with smiles, the nofJ Jeman prepared to
dorm his shield with the gift of his transcenden-
lily beautiful wife He carefully unwrapped fold Y
tter fold of the silver tissue in which it was en-
losed-blt he turned cold as marble, when :
mall and cxquisiteIy formed hand, with the we'll
rim of fho II