Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 263: what you’re looking at

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

256 THE ARGOSY. Cavara jerked the words out as though by some hidden power he had been forced to utter them against his will. His head had sunk on his bosom, and he stood motionless for atime. The countess stole closer to him. ‘“ Sefior,” she said softly. The man started and looked up. In his eyes was a look of inexpressible melancholy. Sefior, why not do a deed of kindness tonight that shall go far to wipe out the misdeeds of the past—set us free! ” The girl’s voice of gentle entreaty thrilled Cottrell as nothing ever had; as for Cavara the words seemed to loosen the bounds of his passionate, devouring love for this beautiful gentlewoman, which was the one sweet thing that had ever come into his miserable life. The fire of his southern nature broke through the man’s schooled stoicism. “ I have got you now, and, by Heaven, I can’t let you go! ” he burst out suddenly, and he made as though he would take the girl in his arms. Marie sprang back. “ Sefior! ” she said in a voice that made Cavara stand and gaze in wonder. It was like the voice of an avenging angel. “ You are not my master; you merely have the choice of two alternatives ; you can set us free—both; or you _ can kill us—for it will be on your head whether we die by your hand or by our own. Only so far does your will prevail with us.’ Cottrell, bound and helpless, had stood in an agony of suspense, not daring to speak, for he knew that their fate.hung in the balance, and that the only earthly power that could move or influence Don Cavara was his love for Marie; and that was such a mighty passion that it seemed well nigh to have overcome all bounds. Suddenly the girl drew herself up to her full height and pointed her small, slender finger straight at him. ‘ Sefior, God only knows what evil deeds you have done, what crimes you shall have to answer for; but 1f harm befalls my love and me through your cruelty, your base heartlessness, no peace nor rest shall be yours through all your miserable life. Through the hours of light and those of darkness you shall see me as you see me now, ever pointing at you the finger of warning—a warning that was heeded too late!” The woman’s voice rang out clear and sonorous. It was like the voice of an avenging angel, and.each man gazed spellbound at the speaker or crossed himself in superstitious terror. Man they feared not; but this pale faced creature, with great eyes that shone with a light they could not read, awed and moved them all. Cavara gazed at the beautiful, yet menacing, figure of the countess like one fascinated. She had gained the mastery; the man of iron gave way under the spell of her wonderful voice that sounded like a divine prophecy in his ears. In the weird light of the flickering torches she seemed scarcely human to his eyes, more like a vision. ‘The brute passion of the man was sud- denly transformed into a sort of adoration that seemed to lift him above his baser self. Then, in an instant, he had drawn himself up and uncovered his head. ‘My countess,” he said hoarsely, “I shall ever see you before me as I see GONG OOO UN ceo