Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 118: what you’re looking at

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

IN PERILOUS WAYS. IXI “Senior! ”’ she exclaimed, hardly able to speak from agitation. ‘‘ What do you want here?” I was aware that in appearance I looked more like a rufhian than I did a gentleman. The peon had taken me to bea soldier. What would this woman think of me? I was armed, as she could see. My jacket was cut 1n several places, and also stained with blood, but it was no time to stand on appearances. ““My good woman will bear with me, I am ceriain, when I tell her that 1 have just narrowly escaped being cut to pieces by a gang of ruffians,” I said, appealing to her sympathy. ‘“ There is nothing to be feared from me. I will not lift a finger to harm you. You command, not me.” “Do you belong to the guard?” she asked. “ No,” I replied. ‘‘ How came you to be admitted to the house? Where was the portero? ” she demanded. “ Circumstances—a mere accident admitted me. I have not time to ex- plain. JI am an American, as you may have perceived, but I come here with the best of intentions.” Instead of shrinking away from me, as I half expected that she would do, when I said that I was an American her fears seemed to leave her, and she answered. me in very good English. “My old master was an American. He was a good man, My young mistress, Sefiorita Teresa, is his daughter.” Surely good fortune was favoring me. If I could gain her confidence she might assist me in my undertaking. I threw off restraint, forgot discretion, and spoke with more openness and confidence than good judgment and pru- dence would have warranted. “You may have surmised before this,’”’ I made bold to say, “ that I come here to see Sefiorita Teresa.” “No, no, sefior,” she replied, quickly. “ You must not try to see Sefiorita Teresa. It would be madness. Your blood would be upon your own head. I beg of you, sefior, you will not try to see her.” She was upon her knees, earnestly pleading with me. I took her hand, and helped her to rise. “Fear not for me,” I said. “I have met danger before this. I must see your mistress, and you will assist me in doing so, I know. It is very impor- tant that I should see her.” “Yes, sefior,” she replied quickly. “‘ You come from her uncle, Sefior Melrose. He would have her go and liye with him, but it is impossible. He will be killed if he persists. I warned him. I warm you.” “It is not impossible, with your help,” I answered. “ Think, you can make your mistress’ life happy. You can save her from being imprisoned in a convent, or married to some man she does not love.” “Tf I could,” she cried, wringing her hands. “ But there is no escape— not now. For her sake, sefior, don’t attempt anything. You will be discov- ered, and then my lady—she will surely be sent to the convent and I will see her no more.” GOH GoOOO ‘SS COLNT