Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 725 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

— Vas | Wi” + so ia} * - »s “ . we oe Rs Fie) | : od + will eall. _ morrow night, and - i. or. 7 < ys ; se e Ba ae * 2 ings showed that she was the daughter of re- finel and wealthy parents—a family of Mexican aristocrats, Gabriella Garcia was not eighteen years of age, when she is presented to the notice of the reader, and yet in her sbort life she had learned to love, with all the ardor of her warm nature, one who was a man with whose name the tongue of scandal was constantly busy. A dashing officer of cavalry, inheriting a for- tune, Major Andrea, young, handsome and gifted, had lived a life of luxury and dissipation that bad made bim famous, and dreaded by mothers who looked to the bappiness of their daughters, rather than bartering them for gold or position, he major had already been engaged in sey- eral fatal duellos, had won a reputation as one who was neither merciful to man nor woman, and meeting Gabriella Garcia had, for the first time in his life, seemed to be forced to admit that he had a heart, Many said that it was because the young girl was heiress to great wealth, but whatever the motive Major Andrea was influenced by, he certainly became very devoted to his new flame, The dashing major had squandered his for- tune, his credit was gone, and, in a moment of desperation, he had been inveigled into be- coming a conspirator against his Government. Betrayed by a foe, ere the conspiracy was ripe, he was seized and thrown into prison, soe he was quickly tried and sentenced to be snot. His downfall had been complete, and a person who could bave made himself honored and loved, a man of brilliant attainments who could have risen high as a soldier, had squandered his patrimony, wrecked his bonar, stained a noble name, and was lying in a dungeon awaiting to be shot as a conspirator. He it was whom Gabriella Garria had said should not die—that she would save him at any cost. And so, as she paced her room she plotted and planned to carry out her determination. ‘“One week more to live,’ she seal = ** just one week to-day he is to be shot—unless mary him, Now to see what a woman can oO, . Calling her maid, a pretty Mexican girl, she said: ‘* Nina, you are to be married as soon as your lover saves up a certain sum of money, I be- lieve?” ** Yes, senorita; in a year’s time we hope it will be,” ‘* When does Jose come to see you again?” ** To-night, senorita.” | ‘He belongs to the Lanceros, commanded once by Major Andrea Bonodel?” ‘* Yes, senorita, and it is a bitter blow to Jose to feel that Major Bonodel is to die, for you know, Senorita Gabriella, that once in battle my lover’s horse was shot in a retreat, pinning him down, and alone the major dashed back and rescued him from the Comanches, who were almost upon him,” 4 ies aa he remembers the deed of Major Bonodel, ina?” — ‘‘Can he ever forget it, senorita?” ** Well, Nina, when Jose comes to-night_bring him through the gardens to me here, for I wish to speak with him—nay, don’t look jealous, Nina, for you are to hear also what I have tosay to your lover.” | “Twill bring Jose here, Senorita Gabriella, as ou wish,” answered the maid. That night, seated upon the balcony opening from her room, Gabriella saw Nina approaching through the garden. With her wasa soldier in the uniform of a sergeant of Lanceros, ** Well, Jose, I am glad to see you, and I wish to ask you to do me a great service,” said Gabriella. | | “ Anything in my power, senorita.” “*T will not, as you area soldier, compromise you by saying what my purpose is; but, | havea neat little cottage which I will give to you and isan the day the work I have in view is one. ‘You are a good judge of horseflesh, I be- lieve?” ‘* Yes, Senorita Gabriella, 1 know horses well,” ‘*] will give you the money to purchase six fine animals, One of these must be left at the _ Mendez Inn just out of the town, and you are to take there a bundle, leaving it there for one who That bundle I will give to you to- ou had better not go in your uniform. _ ** Yes, senorita.” ‘* The other horses you are to send to various . - & z . P i? t , > i . ’ a : a mat <\") . . ; " ’ 7) c : : 4) ba * : ‘ a6 4 Daring Dick, Pawnee Bill’s Pard. points on the trail to the Rio Grande, say twenty miles apart, and leave them to be called for.” ** Yes, senorita,” ** Now, here is the money, Jose, and I wish yoo to get leave to-morrow, and then do my idding. You might send the horses tv the dif- ferent posts, which you must know, traveling the road as you have, by a faithful messen- er. ‘**T will, senorita, I will.” ‘**But, they must get away as early in the morping as possible, and to-morrow night you are to take the horse to Mendez Inn, and also the bundle,” ‘**T understand, senorita,” | Then Gabriella Garcia counted out the money to the young soldier, and added: ‘The cottage is ver as soon as you have done this for me, and I will furnish it for Nina, too, so that your bome will be all ready fr your bride. Good-night, Jose, and do not fail me,” ‘*T will not, senorita,” and the soldier depart- ed, while Gabriella murmured: ‘* Now, todo my part to save Andrea, for he shall not die.” CHAPTER II. THE PADRE. In a cell, where men doomed to die alone are held as prisoners, sat Major Andrea Bonodel, the one-time pet of society, the dashing officer, and now a man whose days were numbered, who was to die as a conspirator ere another week had gone by. None honor him now, and he is deserted by all save his creditors, who still hope to wring from him a little of the gold he owes them. The handsome conspirator is pale, but calm, and he stands by the grated window looking out into the darkness, and listening to the howling of a storm sweeping down from the mountains, That day one person bas remembered him, for a small cake has been sent to him, one which he had ever fancied, Upon the icing of the cake were some strange figures, apparently meaning nothing, yet the sol- dier had read them, as they were the characters of a secret alphabet he had used in writing to one of bis lady-loves. What he saw there read: ‘Say that you wish to see Father Felix if he calls Mids ee You have steadfastly refused to see a priest, but you must see him.”’ This was what Major Andrea Bonodel made out of the characters, and he stood watching and waiting to see if Father Felix would call, At last a ct came toward his cell, and the jailer appeared, ‘* Senor, a holy father is here begging to see you, and though I told him it would be useless to ask you, he urged that I must come.” ‘* T will see him,” was the unexpected response to the jailer, who said: ‘‘T am glad, senor, for a man ought not die without the benefit of the church,” } Soon after the jailer returned, and with him was the gown-enveloped form of a padre, his head and face also being hidden by bis hood, for the storm was a severe one without. : The iron door was opened and the priest ste ped into the cell, the jailer saying that be would return within an bour to conduct him out. ‘Well, holy father, why bave you honored me with a call?” asked the Mexican officer, cold- “Ts save you, Andrea!” ‘¢ Great heavens! Gabriella!” ‘* Yes, Gabriella—here to save you! ‘* Here is a list of where borses await you. At the Mendez Inn you will find a room ready for you. In it is a disguise, while a fine horse will be there to bear you away. ‘* You can, in this disguise of mine, and by walking with bended knees, bring yourself down to my height, and thus pass out, while I, with your coat on, and bowed head, can sit over there by the window and the jailer will think that it is you. : ‘So go, Andrea, and live, for to remain here is to die,” ar ‘¢ And you, Gabriella?” ‘‘ Will remain here,” ‘To suffer?” “Oh, no; forI will not be discovered until morning and you cag then be faraway. I will send for my father, and what can be done about it other than to release me?” rl, Gabriella, I will ac- **'You are a noble you offer me, but upon cept the freedom tha one condition only.” 6 Name it, An rea,” p i ‘*That you become my wife,” ‘‘No, no! A delay now—” “me / ry vs ~ ' ‘7 ae * : < ‘You do not understand me, Gabriella; I mean that when I am safe,and far from bere, if I send for you will you come to me, come and and be my wife, and let me devote my life to the one who saved it?” “IT will come, Andrea, for you alone do [ love.” ‘The Virgin bless you, Gabriella, and hold you in her keeping. ‘* Yes, if I remain here it will be to die, and ag offer me the chance of liberty, so I grasp i “Tam rp) ined that you must remain bere, Gabriella, but, as you say, they can do nothing witb you for your act, only release you, though yous love for me, the conspirator, will become known,” ‘‘ What care I for that, Andrea? command our loves,” ‘Then I am content, Gabriella, or will be when you come to me and become my wife.” **T will come, Andrea, when you send for me,” was the prompt reply. Then she told him all of her plot, just what he was to do, and banding bim a purse heavy with gold, said: ri You will need this, Andrea. Don’t refuse We cannot it. ‘* Heaven bless you, brave woman!” and Andrea Bonodel did not refuse the money offered, Half an hour after the jailer returned. Over in the corner sat the supposed form of the con- spirator, his back toward the door, his face buried in his hands, At the iron door stood the supposed priest. As the jailer came up he placed his finger to his lips and pointed toward the prisoner, ‘* You have conquered him, holy father,” the jailer whispered as the padre passed out, draw- ing his robe more closely about him, his cowl over his face, He seemed disinclined to speak, and passed on toward the outer gate, out into the storm, which was now more violent than ever. With a wave of his bund to the jailer the robed form stepped through the outer portal to freedom! Swiftly he walked along the deserted streets toward the outer edge of the city, and reaching the Mendez Inn, entered, and asked t) be shown to the room prepared for Father Felix. Soon after he came out, his moustachios cut off, bis long, dark bair gone and dressed asa vaquero, Slipping out to the stables he found a man there with a horse saddled and bridled. - In an instant he was in the saddle and away upon bis ride for life, for long miles lay between him and safety, and the five horses awaiting him on the road to the Rio Grande, must be ridden far and bard ere he could feel that his escape from death was assured. | When the morning came the stcrm had cleared away without, but a fearful one was waging within the walls of the jeil, for when breakfast was taken to Andrea Bonodel, the smiling face of Gabriella Garcia peered through the bars. She sent for the jailer, told bow she bad plot- ted the escape of her lover, revealed nothing as to when or how he had gone, and then added; ‘Now I am ready to meet any punishment the Government may see fit to inflict upon me.” —— CHAPTER II, | AN OUTLAWS BRIDE. News of the escape of Major Andrea Bono- del spread like wildfire through the city, and troops of cavalry were sent in all directions scouring the country, While soldiers the houses in the town to be sure that he wa hidden there. | | f. Re; The daring act of Senorita Gabriella Garcia was lauded ‘by some, and condemned by Others; but she became a heroine, and all wondered what would be the penalty for ber bold act. Her father, a distinguisbed man, bigh in off- cial position, was sent for, and found her calm d smiling at her success. im 7 “1 lov cbs. ppt Ar eh oe deatb, hatever the punishment that may jor ia | oe Iam ready to bear it,” she had ad Con fess hers he is, and you will at opet Be allowed to go free, Senorita,” 881d one of the ae PY had bent ieee = med pol ; not set him free to betray him, **n Major Andrea Bonodel is beyond your Fea and I am in your power.” . ie They could do nothing to one SO beautiful, 4 e ’ n heiress, and whose father was @ Man of eXalté na position, so the anger of the GovernmeDt we visited upon the poor jailer. AS ke had allowed the prisoner to escape, not knoWing a mah fro 5 ig .. ‘2 Fe ae ’ A “~ 7 =” i! 7 Py te ; 1a , ] \ y Say f tf ) ) ay , me + € d NS ie 4. Fe “Dy yd fy , ty? a e pF ; : on JA 5 pry a