CHAPTER XXI.
THE MONSTER COMES AGAIN.
At first Roderic only met with disappointment, for while people werecontinually passing, and some even went in and out of Senor Pedro'slittle shop, none upon whom his observation fell seemed to bear anyresemblance to the one for whom he sought.
This suspense only increased his eagerness.
No doubt it would have been stronger had he expected to meet Georgia;but his business on this August morning was closely connected with herafter all, since in the governor's daughter he saw, not a beautifulgirl who had fascinated him but a messenger bringing hopes of a brightfuture.
For once Roderic was unconscious of the fact that he seemed to be anobject of deep interest to some member of the fair sex seated on abalcony not far away.
She had her face partially concealed by the filmy lace so thoroughly apart of a Spanish woman's toilet, and this she manipulated in such away that even a dear friend passing by might never have suspected heridentity.
Something about Roderic appeared to have attracted herattention--perhaps it was the fact of his haunting that immediatevicinity, perhaps his manly showing that appealed to her heart, itmight even be possible that she believed she knew him.
Many opportunities were given for a careful examination of his walkand carriage, and the more this unknown senorita looked the deeper grewher interest until at last she exclaimed softly, yet with no littlerapture:
"_Madre de Dios!_ it is no other than he--there cannot be two men sofashioned by Heaven, so perfect in figure, so brave in movement, soaltogether charming; but what does he seek--what the object of histramp back and forward?"
Evidently milady of the balcony entertained the warmest affection forthe party whose identity she thought she had discovered under Roderic'sdisguise.
Her curiosity being aroused she began to cast about for some objectthat would explain this sentinel tramp of the man on the plaza.
It was not long before she decided that his interest was wholly takenup with the little shop of the plaza tobacconist.
Now doubtless the quaint establishment of Senor Pedro was a gem in itsway, and worthy of considerable notice--she chanced to know it well andthat many lovers were wont to designate it as a point near which theyappointed a rendezvous--indeed, certain tender memories even made hergentle bosom heave, and a sigh escaped her lips as she looked again atthe shop.
But there must be some other reason why this man of the strikingfigure, and walk so energetic, so different from the usual run ofSpaniard or native Porto Rican should haunt the vicinity.
"Ah! he expects some one--he has friends in San Juan he said--it isa rendezvous for business. How little does he dream that eyes filledwith tender love are on him. I do not think I can much longer refrainfrom letting him know--our old signal, ah! how he would hasten thitherdid I but dare to give it. The temptation is irresistible. _Carramba!_I love him so, why should I resist since he is mine. How he will turnand look around, and when I make one beckoning movement, ah, me, withthe speed of love he will fly to me. All else is forgotten--my hungryheart clamors for the sound of his voice, which is life and light tome. Yes, I will cast prudence to the winds--the spell of his presenceis over me--to feel the warm clasp of his hand, to hear his voice thathas haunted my dreams tell me again how he loves only me--ah, thatwill be Heaven on earth. And to think I can enter Paradise just by onelittle bird whistle--ah! what delightful suspense while I linger andanticipate; but it is cruelty to him I love. So then, the signal thathas often in the past called him to my side."
It chanced, however, that whatever this signal may have been she didnot make it just then.
On the contrary, bending forward she watched the man on the plaza withnew interest, a different feeling having crept like an icy hand intoher heart.
There was reason.
Roderic's slow saunter had become a quick walk, and in his wholeattitude could be seen an eagerness that animated his frame--in a wordhe had become electrified.
No signal had been given, but his eyes had fallen upon a veiled femalefigure that came along the plaza.
They would meet in front of Senor Pedro's establishment, just as scoresof couples had met time without mind.
This fact appeared to stamp itself upon the mind of the looker on--itwas apparently one of the first things she thought of.
"The same place that was so sacred to me, and he goes to greet anotherthere. Am I awake or is this some terrible dream. See, they meet, heholds out his hand--how eagerly he takes hers and raises it to hislips. And she--I cannot see her face, but what is this--so like infigure in her walk--surely my soul remains here on the balcony while myhuman form has gone to meet its king. And yet--and yet, how can it beso? Would to Heaven she might but remove her veil if but for one momentthat I might see whether I dream or really see him with another. Couldshe have heard my wish--she raises her hand, she brushes aside the veilas though he but had to ask the favor. Be still, treacherous, sorelywounded heart. What beauty, what ravishing charms be in that face. Andhow I could hate it if, perdition take the thought, it has come between_us_!"
All desire to give the signal had now fled.
She simply crouched there in the balcony with a bruised heart,smothering her groans, and watched the couple sauntering about theplaza.
Roderic, poor fellow, utterly unconscious of the fact that he wasgiving pain to a heart that yearned for him, continued to promenadewith the governor's daughter.
There were others on the plaza, and the couple attracted no particularattention save from this one interested quarter.
Of course he was deeply interested in what his companion was saying.
It had a very intimate association with the happy and glorious futurehe had mapped out for himself and the girl he loved.
Perhaps his manner appeared devoted according to the film that jealousycast upon the eyes of she who watched from above.
But surely Roderic did not mean it to be so.
The governor's daughter came to him as a messenger, an angel bearinggood news, and as a gentleman how could he be other than attentive--whocould be a boor when his companion was a pretty woman?
Alas! he little suspected how in the eager effort to further the causeof his happiness he was heaping up coals of fire with which to inflicttorture upon himself and she whom he loved.
When all had been told and arrangements made for a future meeting, thegirl left him.
Roderic had imbibed some of the courtly ways of these people, and itwas not at all strange that he should again raise the hand she gave himto his lips.
The action however, might be misconstrued.
He had heard much that interested him, and besides found desperate workcut out ahead, if he hoped to save Leon, who was in deadly danger.
Hence, when once more alone he thought to indulge in a cigar so that hemight consider the whole case, and form plans for the immediate future.To those who are accustomed to the solace of a weed the necessity ofthis step can be understood and needs no apology.
Roderic, having a glorious destiny opening before him, and being in thepossession of unbounded health and strength, enjoyed the first part ofthat cigar immensely.
He never knew what the balance was like.
For a shock came upon him, a shock that was entirely unexpected, andwhich left him so stunned that a Wheeling stogie would have appeared asa prime Havana in his estimation.
What more could be said?
As he turned in his walk he suddenly discovered a veiled figureapproaching--walk and figure declared that it could be no other thanthe governor's daughter--she had forgotten something and had returnedto tell him.
Roderic's step quickened as he hastened to meet her now falteringadvance.
Naturally enough he smiled pleasantly--why not, under such conditions?
Alas! that one's motives may be misconstrued--that a fever raging inthe heart may distort even the most common-place action.
"Ah! you have relented--you will not tear yourse
lf away so soon--youhave thought of something else that may have an importance bearing uponour plans--plans that if properly carried out mean happiness for bothof us. Yes, I rejoice to see you return, as I was in something of adilemma and perhaps you can help me out."
He had extended his hand impulsively but she refused to see it.
"You are not angry, senorita--I have not offended you in any way, Itrust: I should never forgive myself if it were so," he said.
Perhaps the anxiety in his tone was strong--at any rate she seemed totremble with half suppressed emotion and shrank back.
Roderic became more impressed and concerned.
"You do not speak--you _are_ offended, clown that I am to have said ordone something unwittingly that has hurt your feelings. Senorita, praypardon me--restore me to your favor, I beg."
While he was thus apologizing, for what he himself did not have theleast idea, Roderic could not refrain from thoughts of an altogetherdifferent nature, and which must have run something in this vein:
"Now bless my soul if I know what to do in such a case. Ten minutesago she left me full of spirits and as warmly disposed as one couldwish--now she returns and deigns not to even accept my hand. Dusetake it, women are all alike, mysteries to me. What have I done inthe interim--lighted a cigar and wrapped myself up in thought. It's agood enough cigar, too," casting a dubious glance at the weed as ifsome vague and monstrous suspicion had arisen in his mind that theinoffensive weed might have something to do with the matter.
Then light broke in upon him--it came from her.
"I do not speak, you say--it is because I am overcome with surprise,mortification, despair--because I have learned that you have deceivedme, that you are a traitor!" came from under the veil.
Roderic was almost paralyzed at first.
The figure, the walk might be that of the governor's daughter, but thevoice was no other than Georgia's.
Over his face flashed a look of joy, for his heart leaped to meet itsmistress.
"Georgia--is it you--I thought, I believed--"
She stopped his stammering exclamations of mingled delight andexplanation.
"I do not care to hear what you would say, Senor Owen. After thisday, this hour, we must meet as strangers," she said, with difficultycontrolling her emotion.
"This is cruel--you cannot mean it, when I am risking my life here inyour cause. You say that but to prove me, Georgia."
"I mean every word of it. Think not I have no eyes, Senor Owen--I haveseen all. Doubtless your risk has been considerably ameliorated by thepleasant company you are forced to seek."
Then he knew what she meant.
The shoe was on the other foot--it had come her turn to show jealousy.
"Georgia, I can explain everything----"
"I refuse to listen, knowing how weak I should be under the sound ofyour voice."
"I swear you wrong me."
"Senor, I saw everything--you might tell me a wonderful tale, but Icould never forget."
"Georgia, for the last time I implore you to give me a hearing--thatgirl----"
"Stop, do not dare to mention her to me, sir. I refuse to hear even hername."
She had thrown back her veil, showing her indignant face, her blazingmidnight eyes and Roderic, who had never yet seen her in this mood wasappalled.
"Since you command it I shall say no more. Once I condemned you unheardand God knows I paid dearly for the error. Now, with even less reasonyou have accused me, and refuse to let me explain. Very good, senorita,I too can be proud--it must be you who bridges over this abyss if it isever accomplished. Meanwhile I shall go my way and find Leon, thanks tothe lady you have so bitterly condemned."
He turned with a bow and left her there.
Roderic was cut to the quick to think that she could suspect him ofbeing unfaithful after all he had given up for her sake.
It might seem as though he would have great patience with one whom heloved and who was passing through the same bitter error that had onceengulfed him.
Alas! human nature is not so constituted.
His pride was touched and he believed he had gone far enough toexplain.
Ten words, had she allowed him to say them, would have removed thecause for doubt and suspicion; but as imperiously as a young queen, shehad forbidden him to speak, and therefore like a lamb led to the altarhe would not open his mouth again to plead his cause.
The hour would come, when Leon was restored to her, and she saw in hisdevoted wife the lovely woman whose association with Roderic had soaroused her jealousy--that hour would witness his triumph--it wouldbalance the account and thus they could start afresh.
So Roderic indulged in philosophical reflections to bolster up hiscourage.
But he smoked no more that morning.
Georgia had stood there where he had left her as though incapable ofaction--once she stretched out a hand after his retreating form, anda low cry bubbled from her lips, now hidden by the veil; but by nomovement or outcry did she attempt to recall him.
"It is better that I should die than live to be deceived. He wouldexplain, but how could my eyes deceive me? And she was so beautiful,when he kissed her hand. Oh! it was cruel, and he, my Roderic is likeall men, a perfidious monster. I may not forget him but I shall try tolearn to _hate_ him."
Evidently she believed she had a big contract on hand. Then her betternature, urged by the love that nestled in her heart, had an inning.
"He kissed her hand--true, yet since when has that become a crimethat men should be condemned because of it? Last night did not GeneralParrado raise my hand to his lips respectfully. I wonder whether he waspilloried for it this morning by the Lady who Must be Obeyed. What didhe say--"find Leon, thanks to the lady you have so bitterly condemned."Have I done wrong--is he still true? Oh! weak heart, how you cling toyour idol--oh! yearning soul, with what power may I tear your clingingtendrils away from the oak around which they have grown? It will bedeath to the vine--death to poor wretched me."
She returned slowly to the house, hoping that Roderic would repent hisrash resolve and return to give her another chance.
But alas, he came not, for the wound was too fresh, and the salt thathad been rubbed into it smarted too fiercely.
Upon the balcony Georgia spent all of the day save the hours for_siesta_--she watched eagerly those who went up and down the plaza, yetno sign came from the one beloved.
By degrees the full realization of her desolation came upon her.
"I have chased him from me--with scorn and bitterness have I sent myRoderic away, and he will come no more. Woe is me, wretched Georgia.He swore by the stars, by everything he held sacred, yes, even by thegrave of his sainted mother that he loved only me. And I have refusedto hear him. He will never seek me again. Night's shades are fallingand without his assistance I must venture into the jaws of danger--forLeon's sake. Heaven forgive me and crush my haughty heart because ithas made him suffer. Heaven give me a chance to atone for my pride, forthe insult put upon him."
And thus lamenting the prettiest girl in all San Juan saw the lightsbegin to gleam in the island capital.
Miss Fairfax of Virginia: A Romance of Love and Adventure Under the Palmettos Page 21