Part 19 (1/2)

”But why did you promise your hair?” inquired the lover, with a slight air of chagrin.

”Because I had nothing more valuable to offer in exchange for your life--mine perhaps as well. Oh! I am well repaid for the sacrifice by knowing that you love me. Come, Rafael! take the scissors.”

”Oh! I could never manage with that weak instrument,” said Don Rafael, speaking merely to gain time.

”Ah! are you going to complain of the trouble it will give you?”

inquired Gertrudis, bending down towards her lover, who was still kneeling before her--”Come, my brave Rafael! Use these scissors. I command you.”

Don Rafael took the s.h.i.+ning instrument in his trembling hand, but still hesitated to use them--like the woodman, who, with his axe raised against some n.o.ble tree of the forest he has been ordered to cut down, hesitates before striking the first blow. Gertrudis would have smiled to encourage him, but at that moment, as she looked upon those gorgeous tresses, so long and carefully guarded, and which, if unfolded, would have covered her like a shawl, the poor young girl could not hinder a tear from escaping her.

”Stay, my Rafael--a moment yet,” cried she, while the crimson blush mantled higher upon her cheeks. ”I have long desired--dreamt of it as a supreme felicity--to entwine in these poor tresses the man whom I should one day love, and--and--”

Before she could finish speaking, Don Rafael had caught the perfumed tresses between his fingers, and rapturously kissing them, pa.s.sed them around his neck.

”Now I am ready,” continued she, raising the long plaits that encircled her lover's cheeks, and setting the captive free. ”Go on, Rafael! I am ready.”

”I should never have the courage to commit such a fearful act,” cried the officer, flinging the scissors upon the floor, and crus.h.i.+ng them under his heel.

”It must be done, Rafael; it must be done. G.o.d will punish me else.

Perhaps He may punish me by taking away from me your love.”

”Well, I shall do it,” rejoined the reluctant lover, ”but not yet awhile. On my return, Gertrudis. For my sake, leave it over till then.”

The pa.s.sionate appeal of Don Rafael at length obtained a respite, until the time fixed for his return; which was to be on the morrow--as soon as he should have a.s.sured himself of the safety of his father.

While their next meeting was being arranged between the two lovers, Gertrudis suddenly started up, like a young doe that springs from its perfumed lair at the first sound of the hunter's horn.

”Surely I heard a noise?” said she; ”a strange noise. What could it mean?”

Don Rafael, whose senses had been entirely absorbed by his new-found happiness, sprang also to his feet, and stood listening.

They had scarce listened for a dozen seconds, when a well-known sound fell upon the ears of both--though well-known, a sound significant and ominous. It was the report of a gun, quickly followed by several others as if fired in fusillade.

At the same moment, Don Mariano and his daughter Marianita rushed into the room. They, too, had heard the reports, which were in the direction of the hills, and were proceeding to the rear of the hacienda to inquire the cause.

All remained listening and alarmed--Don Rafael, more than even the young girls: for too much happiness has the effect of weakening the heart.

The most profound silence reigned throughout the building; for the firing, heard by the servants of the hacienda, had inspired one and all of them with the same mute alarm; just as pigeons asleep upon the tree aroused by the first scream of the kite, remain for some moments terrified and motionless in their places.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

A MEXICAN MAJOR-DOMO.

Don Mariano, the dragoon officer, and the two sisters rushed up to the _azotea_, the hearts of all filled with a dread presentiment.

From the roof, already crowded with servants, a view of the ridge could be obtained--its whole slope from top to bottom being visible at a single glance. A horrible spectacle came under the eyes of all at once.

At the upper end of the path which led towards the Hacienda del Valle, a horse and horseman were seen lying upon the road close to one another.