CHAPTER VI.
ON THE BORDERS OF PARADISE.
While Owen had doubtless encountered many rude shocks during hisadventurous life he never had such a staggering blow dealt him as whenthis beauty from the Antilles so peremptorily ordered him to approachno nearer.
Unconsciously he obeyed, and yet seemed amazed at himself for notcrushing her form in his embrace as he had done in times gone by whenthe whole realm of earth had been centered in her beloved presence.
Had she then ceased to love him--true, he had been cruel in hisjudgment, but since on his part time had effected no apparent cure,could it be possible that she despised where once she adored?
He searched for an answer, nor did he have to look long.
Under his troubled gaze burning blushes swept over her face andneck--she trembled with the intensity of her emotions, her breath camein quick, spasmodic gasps, and she looked like a beautiful flutteringbird facing its fate.
Love still reigned in her heart where he had once been king.
Then why this strange action--while yet loving did she mean tosacrifice this man who to her had been a god, however gross hismaterial may have appeared to other eyes?
Was resentment, the desire to avenge her wrongs paramount to love?
While the ways of womankind were not wholly a sealed book to Owen, hehad always frankly confessed himself unable to understand them. Yes, hehad even drilled himself into the habit of being surprised at nothingthe sex might do, either noble or otherwise--they were full of theunexpected to him.
"You say stand back--see, I obey you. Tell me to go, and I leave yourpresence forever. And yet I am wretchedly sorry and would do all in mypower to wipe out the past, to make you believe in me as once you did.Is there any such way--shall I have a chance, Georgia?"
He knew the power of his voice over her--he could see her bosom heavewith the intensity of her feelings.
Still she did not yield--this daughter of the Antilles was made ofsterner stuff than to be swept along by every passing breeze like thefallen leaves of autumn.
"Perhaps," she replied, slowly.
"You would impose conditions--well, it is only right and fair. Let thembe what they will I am ready to undertake them. The harder the better,since by that means I can prove the strength of my love, the bitternesswith which I regard my conduct of the past."
"I said perhaps. Have you forgotten what I declared last night?" andher eyes dropped in confusion.
"You warned me--you saved me from a complication that was intended toinjure me with my employers, with those whose respect I held dear. Yourisked much to warn me, and it was the thought of this that renewed mycourage, my hope."
"It was something else--something of a more personal nature."
Then her meaning flashed upon him.
"You refer to Cousin Cleo--ah! what you said cannot be true--herregard for me is warm and cousinly, as mine is for her, but that isall."
"And if it were true--if she did love you--devotedly with all her heartand soul, Senor Roderic?"
"It would make no difference. I should deplore such an unfortunateoccurrence deeply, on her account, for she is a noble woman in amillion. But it would be utterly impossible for me to love another as Ihave you, Georgia."
And he believed what he said, showing that he was sincere, at any rate.
His words made her eyes glisten with delight, for who does not yearn tohear such phrases falling from the lips of an adored one.
"You solemnly swear that is true?" she asked, willing to believe, yetfilled with womanly doubts.
"By everything sacred, by the memory of that happy past which mywretched jealousy slaughtered, by the grave of my revered mother Iswear that I love and have loved no woman on earth but one, and she isbefore me."
"Then you shall hear the condition upon which you may wipe out thepast--upon which I shall again believe in you with all my heart andsoul, and forget the cruel wrong you did me."
"Name it, for Heaven's sake, Georgia. You shall see that I am in deadlyearnest--that I abhor myself for the miserable way in which I fled fromhappiness and you. Yes, though it take me to the ends of the world,I shall go, proud to convince you that as once before I am above allothers your _preux chevalier_. What would you have me do--all I ask isthat it may not be to the prejudice of my beloved country for which Ihave sworn to stand to the death against all her foreign foes."
"Find Leon for me!"
It was a marvelously strange request and quite enough to stagger theman of whom the imperious demand was made.
"Find Leon"--the lover must set out on a quest for another man--whowas Leon, what relation did he bear the belle of San Juan, and wherehad he become lost since he needed a voyage of discovery made in hisbehalf--Jason, starting with his bold Argonauts in search of the GoldenFleece might not have had half the trouble that would come of lookingfor a lost man in the world wilderness of to-day, since travelingfacilities were limited in those times, whereas one may now readilyfling thousands of leagues behind him in a fortnight.
"Find Leon--for me!"
Evidently Leon was of considerable importance to the speaker--her voiceseemed to dwell upon the sound with much tenderness.
But Roderic did not appear to be amazed on account of the name--it wassomething else that gave him cause for astonishment.
"Senorita, I declared my readiness to go to the ends of the earth toserve you, but now you ask me to seek the shades beyond, the world ofspirits. How then could I claim the reward even if success attended myendeavor?"
"No, no, not that--you do not understand--it is Leon, my brother youare to find," breathlessly.
"Exactly, and as he is dead it would necessitate my becoming adisembodied spirit--"
"Ah! yes, but he is not dead."
"Pardon, you told me so many times, and I mourned with you on accountof your loss."
"It was all a terrible mistake."
"And Leon is not dead?"
"At least he was alive three months ago. Oh! you do not know, youcannot understand the great joy with which I but recently learned howwe had all been deceived."
Her face glowed with enthusiasm.
Every atom of his old mad idolatry seemed resurrected, and Roderic wasalmost ready to bend down in order to kiss the hem of her garment, hefelt so abased on account of the wrong his hasty action had broughtupon her.
"Where am I to search?" he asked, eagerly, as though ready to start onthe jump.
"He is in Porto Rico."
"Good. That is where I am going to-morrow."
"And whither we also expect to bring up as soon as steam can take us."
"Tell me what you know of him, this brother who was dead, yet lives.How shall I know him?"
"Ah! you would recognize him, Senor Roderic, did you but meet on theocean as castaways, or in the midst of the Great Sahara."
"Then he looks like you?"
"They have always said it."
"That is enough--I shall remember always."
"And you undertake the mission?" eagerly.
His eyes met her glowing orbs.
"You have yourself named the condition, Georgia. If I find this brotheryou will forgive me the cruel past--you promise to love me again?"
"Ah, senor, I have never been able to crush that love from myheart--it is as strong there to-day as when we pledged our lives tohappiness. Stay, do not misunderstand me," as he made a movement towardher, "until you have done something to atone for your desertion, SenorRoderic, we may not resume those relations."
"And should fate baffle my search--should Leon be actually dead, do Ilose all, sweetheart--will you throw my love away like an old glove?"
"I could not, for your love is life to me. I have hoped through thesegloomy years, hoped you might learn how cruel, how unjust you had been,and return to me. If you search with all your heart, that will answermy demands."
"How eagerly I shall try let Heaven be my witness. During the longand dreary months since last I saw you, dear girl, I have lived
ages.Many times rebellion arose within my heart, fermented by the love thatlingered there, and could only be put down with an iron hand. Now Ishall hope to make such poor amends as lie in my power for the wretchedmistakes of that dreadful past. But tell what you know of Leon--why hashe been dead to you so long, and what reason have you to believe hestill lives and is in Porto Rico?"
"You think it strange--it is right to look at it in that way. I myselfsometimes doubt whether I am awake, it all seems so marvelous, sostartling.
"Leon was my only brother--I have told you before how we once lovedeach other, and even described how he was drawn to join the braveCubans under Gomez when they rebelled against the mother country.
"In one of the first fights that occurred Leon was taken prisoner, andcarried to Havana where he was secretly confined in Morro Castle.
"Suddenly we heard that he had been taken out under the castle wallswith seven other wretched patriots and shot to death.
"That was about the time I met you, senor, and my aching heart foundsolace in your devoted love. Then came the period of our happiness andthe shock of your desertion.
"Days, months, yes years have since passed. Then, as though the darkclouds would roll away together, I again saw your blessed face, and atthe same time heard a wonderful story that Leon was alive--that he hadbeen saved by the daughter of the officer in command of Morro Castle,who had fallen in love with his handsome face."
"That is not so wonderful, senorita, since you tell me he resembles_you_."
"Ah! flatterer; but you shall hear all, though the time is notappropriate. Strange things happen in Havana--in all Spanish speakingcountries--romance has a home there, and plays a part you colderAnglo-Saxons hardly understand."
"You forget I have lived there myself--that I speak Spanish, and bydirect association discovered the good qualities of these people whoare almost enigmas to the common run of Americans. I believe in givingthe devil his due. Yes, you cannot surprise me very much. I too haveseen many remarkable dramas played under the crimson and gold banner ofSpain."
"This daughter of the governor saved Leon. She bribed the prison doctorwho pronounced my brother dead while in reality he only lay in a stuporcaused by a subtle drug.
"He was carried from the prison in a coffin and buried just as the sunwent down.
"Then darkness came as the grave diggers turned back to the fort.
"Hardly were they out of sight than from a chaparral where she hadremained hidden sprang the governor's daughter, may the saints protecther as an angel of mercy.
"At her side was a faithful negro, and while the fire-flies spangledthe darkness around, this man flung back the newly set earth.
"When Leon had been snatched from the rude pine box intended for hiscoffin this was again buried in the ground.
"They carried the boy to the negro's cabin and there he was tenderlynursed through a long and weary sickness.
"There he lay while I mourned as only a loving, stricken sister could;for we believed the published account of his death before the guns ofthe avenging Spanish executioners.
"It was six months before he was well, and during that time he hadbecome so mixed up in the great game of independence that he dared notlet me know even of his existence--besides, he feared lest a breath ofsuspicion should be cast upon the girl who had risked all this for hissake, and whom he loved with heart and soul.
"Thus time passed on and under another name he fought with Gomez andGarcia--wherever the flag of Cuba waved in battle he was there, readyto lead the charge and die if need be for the cause in which he hadenlisted.
"When your troops were first put ashore near Santiago and attacked bythe Spaniards, it was Leon, now a captain in the Cuban army, who savedthem from annihilation.
"The time had apparently come when he felt at liberty to send me amessage, and this he did through one of the Americans. It is too long astory to tell how he accomplished it, nor does it matter.
"He also sent word, believing me to be still in Porto Rico, still indear old San Juan, that he expected to be there sometime in the latterpart of July or early in August and I must keep on the lookout for him.
"Between us, Senor Roderic, we must find Leon! If he comes to me Ishall count it the same as though you had won your case, since thedesire to do this service for me is there."
"Ah! you are forgiving--you are an angel, dearest girl. No matter, Ishall never excuse myself for my unfounded suspicions."
"You no longer believe in them?"
"I have not this long time back. Reason was fast driving me to againvisit San Juan and discover how deeply I had wronged you."
"Would you have done that?"
"I swear that such a thought, amounting almost to a resolution, was inmy mind, when I learned fortune was again sending me to San Juan."
She showed the pleasure that was rioting in her heart--thereconciliation seemed drawing very near.
"And you leave--to-morrow, senor?"
"Yes, the sooner I get away from Dublin the better for all purposes.I have discovered that the mission of those who sought aid here hasbeen balked. Just now the sentiment of the Irish toward England seemssoftened, and it looks as though by means of kindness and justice, thewrongs of the past may be washed out. We who love the best interests ofthis green isle hope for great things."
"You go to New York, that great city of which you so often spoke, butwhich I have never yet seen?"
"No, direct to Porto Rico."
"Indeed. I did not know there were any regular vessels going to Spanishports in the West Indies."
"This is a special trip."
"Ah! I begin to see. We too, leave to-morrow. Can it be possible youhave taken passage on the same boat, the Sterling Castle, a fleetblockade runner?"
Eagerness was written on her lovely face.
Roderic could almost wish he had been lucky enough to have done so,believing that it must have proven a happy voyage for them.
He failed to take into account the elements that would naturally bein charge of such a vessel, and the strong probability that his formmust grace a yard arm as an American spy, ere the voyage had been halfcompleted.
"I am sorry to say that opportunity is denied me. My cousin owns asteam yacht, which she has loaded with stores and medicines to be takento Porto Rico, which island she believes has been quite forgotten byMiss Barton and her Red Cross movement. I shall be a passenger onboard, and be secretly put ashore to fulfill my work."
A sudden change came over the girl's face--there was a drop of fiftydegrees in temperature. A smiling summer sky had been blotted out bya rude wintry blizzard--the smile gave way to a look of pain, almosta frown. These passion flowers of the south know little of the artthat consists in concealing the emotions--honest love or hate flashesquickly upon the countenance, for they brook no rivals.
"Your cousin--Miss Fairfax of Virginia, the daughter of a fortune, whois ready to cast all she owns at your feet--and you are to sail withher--you will be in her company ten days, two weeks perhaps. SantaMaria! then you will forget me, forget everything but her blue eyesthat look like the Porto Rico skies at sunset."
It was almost a piteous wail to which she gave vent, and Roderic, hisheart touched, realizing that the chance for which he yearned had come,sprang forward and threw an arm around the girl.
She had repulsed him before, but with a fierce jealousy raging in herheart she was no longer capable of such heroics.
So she yielded herself a willing captive to his embraces--her heart hadever been true, why should she not enjoy a fleeting spell of bliss?
Looking down into her confused face upon which his kisses were yetwarm, he said, with a quiet assurance that did much to convince her:
"Sweetheart, I have known Cleo all my life. I love her as a sister, forshe is a noble woman; but I never have given and never could give heran iota of the idolatrous passion that has filled my heart for you.You have believed me before--trust me now. I live only in the hope ofwiping out my shameful action of the pa
st, and of winning you for myown. Are you satisfied?"
"But she cares for you, Roderic; your fair cousin!"
"You declare so--I can hardly believe it."
"But I know it--she would make a far better wife for you than might apoor daughter of Porto Rico," weakly, almost piteously.
"I am the judge of that, and I would snatch you to my heart against allthe world."
"She has great wealth," watching him yearningly.
"I love only _you_, my darling."
"She is cultivated, refined, as you say a noble woman, while I am poor,with only my face and a worshiping heart to bring you."
"But I adore _you_--life without you would be a dreary waste," hesteadfastly declared.
His simple argument convinced even the little skeptic.
"Then God's will be done--I am yours again when you have fulfilledyour penance, Senor Roderic."
Just as he was about to ratify the treaty with a lover's kiss therewas a tremendous bellow, as if some mad bull had broken loose fromconfinement, and into the half darkened apartment came the tall figureof General Porfidio, her guardian.