The Argosy, August 1905 — page 57: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

order Sinai you may better understand the bitterness which consumes me.” He drew his hand across his forehead, on which large drops of Ph gor had gathered, then continued in a dull tone: “It so happened that a certain one dwelling in the capital had promised to marry me. There was no one in all Mexico to compare with her. After this thing happened I went southward and appeared before her. “You should be able to judge what took place. A woman loves manly beauty, and she is a woman. I have lost more than life itself. I desire only to die—after I have drained the cup of revenge.’ Santa Anna made no reply. For the first time he understood how terrible might be the vengeance of the man before him. Senor Perote replaced the pistol in his sash. “J fear neither your anger nor the hate of any man,” said he fiercely. “I was a Mexican, but you see what Mexico has done for me. I am resolved to drink the cup of revenge to the very dregs, and in doing so it is necessary that Mexico suffer. “The soldiers sent to capture the handful of Americans in the pass of El ‘Vidio returned with the news that their victims had flown. It was I who warned General Taylor and conducted his messenger across the mountains, It. is believed by many that I am loyal to Mexico, but from this hour you will know otherwise; and yet this knowledge will profit you nothing.” His eyes while he was speaking wan- dered around the room and rested upon a crucifix hanging abeve a small table between the windows. He looked down at the man cowering in the chair. Santa Anna’s lips moved spasmodically. The heavy lids of his black eyes were half closed, but under them shone a gleam of cunning. He glanced up at the avenging figure towering above him. “You will kill Captain Valeno, per- haps—as you did the other? ” he asked in a strained voice. “At the proper time. Opportunity has been given me, but I choose my =. Se acarele Rerotel ae The dictator of Mexico shuddered. “ Some things are worse than death,” he muttered. Senor Perote pointed to the crucifix. “ Remove it from the wall. Do you hear me, senor?” said he sternly. Santa Anna hesitated, then arose from the chair, crossed the room and took down the crucifix. An expression of tear and perplexity was upon his face, “I know that to you a promise is nothing, for your whole life is made up of acts of treachery,” continued Perote quietly. He pointed to the crucifix. “Any man who accepts your word is more than a fool, but an oath taken upon the bleeding body of Christ is not so easily broken. Swear to me, upon that sacred emblem, that neither - to- night nor at any time will you seek to destroy me; that, having departed from this room, you will not seek to follow or have me followed. Swear it, senor!” A look of baffied rage crossed the dic- tator’s face. He remained silent. “Swear!” ordered Perote; “ swear, sehor, or by that sacred token I will He drew from his sash a long-bladed knife and poised it in his right hand. The fingers which clasped the eruci- fix trembled. A ghastly smile distorted the lips of the ruler of Mexico. At the last moment he was to be cheated of his revenge. The tace of Perote was something ter- rible to look upon. The livid outlines of the double sear seemed to deepen as each second passed. He ran his fingers gently along the keen edges of the knife and took a step forward. It appeared as though the knees of Santa Anna would give way under him, * 1 swear it; on the cross I swear it! ” he murmured in a hoarse voice. Senor Perote replaced the knife in his sash. “1 will bid you adios, senor,” said he coldly, and deliberately turning his back upon the man who hated him but whose fangs he had drawn, he unlocked the door, passed through it, and closed the portal softly. For a moment Santa Anna stood as = Phowp pen aie age : floor. ‘His face wo ~ comicbooks.com af