entered with the simple announcement, “The musicians, my lady," on her lips' but a very volume of eloquence in her wicked large eyes. Embarrassed by the presence of the maid, who placed herself in an attitude to listen to the minstrel's song, a privilege that, were he a real wandering troubadour, she would, of course, have been allowed-both Andrea and Anita stood in very pretty confusion, not daring to lift their eyes toward each other, while those of Nivetta dived into the secrets of both, with the discrimination of an accomplished chambermaid. At last Anita mustered up sufficient courage to stammer out, very faintly and with wonderful effort, "You may retire, Nivetta." "Yes, my lady, certainly," promptly replied Nivetta, murmuring to herself as she left the room, "What a blessed invention is a key-hole." And so Andrea and Anita were left alone; and how they employed their leisure can be better imagined than I can describe it, by all young people, who, knowing and trusting in the truth of each other's affection, have, in the spring-time of their lives, enjoyed a similar opportunity, dear considerate "ma'" having taken her work up stairs. After a few moment's chat, interesting only to themselves, Anita bethought herself to ask an important question: "Why, dear Andrea," said she, with a most thrilling emphasis upon the dear, "why have you ventured here?" "I knew that Senor Basta was away, and could not resist the opportunity of seeing and conversing with you, were it but for an instant." "But do you know the risk you run by intruding within this house?" 66 Perfectly," replied Andrea, with lover-like ardor, "that love is nought which will not dare any danger." "T is sweet to hear, when summer zephyrs woo But sweeter than the streamlet's silvery tide, Now these lines had nothing very remarkable to recommend them to the general ear, but all merit is comparative, and we must not blame Anita, if, under the circumstances, she thought them most excellent; nor be too severe upon her lover, if he flattered himself into a similar belief. Whatever compliment his lady-love intended to bestow was suddenly cut off by the unceremonious entrance of Nivetta, who, with a countenance full of business-like anxiety, exclaimed, "I beg pardon, my lady, for interrupting the music, I don't know if it's any consequence, but Senor Basta has returned and is coming up the garden." "Consequence," replied Anita, the thought of danger to her lover the first consideration, "it is of every consequence; should he see Senor Andrea here, I don't know what might be the result. Nivetta, you must convey this gentleman out of the house." Meaning the musician, my lady," provokingly replied Nivetta. "I can't exactly tell what to do with him. I know my master has a very violent dislike for such handsome guitar-players; but there's no time for deliberation, I hear the Senor. Go in here, sir musican, until an opportunity occurs for me to let you out." "Have I caged you at last, my redoubtable inamorato? Now Manuel, now am I deceived-are you now astonished that I should make so deadly So saying, she thrust him into an ante-chamber, having just barely had time to do so and retire, hurriedly, with the trembling Anita, when Basta and his intimate friend, Senor Manuel, entered the apartment; the former proceeded directly to the An heroic sentiment, abundantly rewarded by door of the chamber in which Andrea had shelteran affectionate glance from Anita, as she rathered himself and locking it, cried, prudently said, "Would it not be as well for you to sing something, just to blind the servants? You know you are only here as a troubadour." Poor, simple-minded Anita, little knew she of the sharpsightedness of that most annoying but indispensable tribe. However, Andrea needed but little soliciting; he was a good singer, and seldom had a cold; so accompanying himself with his guitarwhich he played as a Spaniard only can playhe sang the following song of his own individual composing: "Tis sweet to wander by the streamlet's side As o'er the pebbly bed the riplets glide, "T is sweet to listen to the joyous din The spring birds awake through the grove, But the sweetest sounds that the soul drinks in, Are the accents from lips that we love. a resolve?" 66 "Still," replied his friend, "you may be in error; pause, I implore you, before you proceed upon a determination so fearful.” "Deceived! no, no," exclaimed Basta, with a malicious scowl. "Last night I saw-my wife! that ever I should live to name her with such a thrill of hatred. I saw her walking with this same seducer, his arm encircling her waist. I wonder what withheld me from wreaking retribution on the moment-I was determined to have certain proof, I have obtained it, and he dies! You told me that you knew where an easy-conscienced villain might be found to do the deedhave you seen one?" LOVE AND MURDER. "Yes, my friendship for you forced my better nature to yield," said Manuel, "I have seen aud spoken to the assassin." "And will he undertake this?" "This or any other work of villany, for a sufficient remuneration; he is a wretch whose trade is blood; he will be here in about half an hour; but still, I counsel you to delay your purpose." "Manuel," replied the other, with compressed lip and flashing eye, "it is the strongest love which checked or desecrated, turns to fiercest hate. But I am determined-come to my study and let us await this messenger of death-but oh! the stab which lets out his base life is nothing to the soul pang I am doomed to feel from henceforth and for ever." So saying, and with a look of deadly resolve toward the chamber which contained the devoted Andrea, the jealous Senor proceeded to concoct the particulars of his vengeance in his study. Nivetta, meanwhile, with cat-like step, watched the pair, unconscious of their design, for they had conversed in whispers, so that their intentions should not be overheard by the prisoner. As soon as they were fairly within the study, and the door closed, the vigilant soubrette hastened back to assist Andrea in his escape; what was her surprise to find the door fast-she knocked. 5 how I wish he was anything but a butcher, ugh! and yet I'm sure it's a very necessary profession, and I know his heart is as tender as the very lambs the dear soul kills." Just at that moment, the much-to-be-envied individual made his appearance, dressed, literally, to kill; for he had just escaped from his unromantic but very un-do-without-able profession; and certainly, as he then looked, could not be taken for the beau ideal of an Adonis. But you should see him on a bull-fight day; not a matader in the ring could show a more brilliant jacket, or closer fitting indispensables, rings, chains, and buttons, dangling and jingling wherever there was a possibility of crowding them on. However, such as he was, a jolly, good-natured, exceedingly dirty and sanguineous butcher, the fair Nivetta thought him unsurpassable. He was about to greet her with the usual ardent embrace, accompanied by some extravagant sentiment, when she whispered, "Hush, you must n't stay, I thought there would be nobody here, but instead of that there's a whole house full of human combustibles, and there's no knowing when we may have an explosion." "Confound it," muttered the disappointed suitor, "and here have I left off killing just to have "Is that you, Nivetta?" said the lover. "May a chat with you; why what sort of a house is this I come forth?" new one you have got into?" "Indeed you may not," replied Nivetta, "and for the best of all possible reasons, you cannot, for the door is locked?" "Locked!" cried Andrea in alarm, as he thought of friend Basta's violently jealous nature; "What on earth is to be done?" "You must remain quiet until I find a key." "Stay, Nivetta, send some one to my brother, Leon-your lady will tell you where to find himI'm not at all certain but Senor Basta may take it into his jealous head to attempt some mischief." "I shall find him myself," answered Nivetta, and away she hurried to execute the commission. Inspired alike by a love of adventure and a dislike to the suspicious "Don," hastily throwing over her head the indispensable mantilla, she was about to proceed on her important errand when she uttered a pretty little scream, and clasped her hands in the sweetest possible confusion, as she heard a voice more bold than musical, sending, in prolonged echoes through the corridors, the words of the famous ritornella, most popular with the gay youth, smuggler-fishermen, tauromachists, and miscellaneous rowdyism of Lisbon. "Blessed saint Catharine," she exclaimed, "it's my Gil; I told him Senor Jealous-pate would be from home all day, and here he comes as impudent as he's good-looking, and that's saying a great deal. I do love him dreadfully, that's certain; "Well, I must say, Gil, that it's rather mysterious." Now it so happened that Senor Basta had heard the whispering of Gil and Nivetta, and instigated by his jealous feelings, crept cautiously down, and standing close by, heard Gil say. "Very well then, as I'm not wanted, I'm off. I have a calf or two to dispatch." So so, thought the sagacious don, this is the bravo friend Manuel spoke to; he was confirmed in his suspicions by what followed. "I wonder," said Nivetta, "how you can talk so coolly of killing the poor innocents." "Bless your tender heart," replied Gil, "it's nothing when you're used to it; you don't mind destroying a colony of spiders if they come across you in the way of business-it's all the same-a life's only a life you know." Senor Basta, disgusted by such fearful heartlessness, advanced sternly, and startled both the speakers, by exclaiming, in a severe tone, "Silence, wretch," then turning angrily to the shivering Nivetta, he continued, "Is this ruffian known to you?" Such an epithet applied to her beloved, made Nivetta's heart rage like a little Vesuvius; yet policy restrained the eruption, and she stammered out a very small "Yes, sir." "And his dreadful trade?" he went on. 66 Yes, sir." "Away, then," cried the exasperated Senor, "and never let me see you in this house again." Nivetta dared not disobey-she cast one hopeful glance at her lover, who, she was glad to see, stood with head up and eye which looked straight into Senor Basta's, and returned it flash for flash. "My fine, handsome, brave Gil," she said to herself, as she quitted the place, "Let the proud fool be careful how he provokes you." Indeed she would and could have demolished the don herself, at that identical moment, with her own individual fingers. As soon as they were alone, the Senor thus addressed poor Gil; "Now, butcher," said he, placing a most disgustful expression on the latter word, Now, butcher! that is your horrid trade, is it 66 not?" "Certainly, Senor," promptly replied Gil, with an expression of quiet humor--he could never be angry long" Proud to serve you, Senor, in any way." 66 Heartless fiend, thought Basta, but the better for my purpose. You set about your sanguineous business with great gusto, my friend," said he. You kill for pleasure, I should think." off a symptom of approaching rust. "Toledo never sent out a truer piece of stuff." Basta involuntarily shuddered, both at the length and vicious look of the blade, and also at the cool indifference with which the fellow spoke of his murderous employment. "It certainly looks appalling," he exclaimed, "doubtless it has done much execution." "That it has,” replied Gil, laughing and patting the shining steel familiarly, an action which turned the Senor's heart into a kind of icicle. "Scores, Senor, have fallen beneath it since it has had the honor to be carried by me." 66 66 Enough," cried Basta, thoroughly sickened by such callousness, yet not in the slightest degree relenting of his own cold-blooded determination. Now all that remains for me to say,"-and he sunk his voice to a sepulchral whisper, placing his mouth close to Gil's ear-" is, that's the chamber!" pointing to the door of the room where Andrea was imprisoned. "It is!" replied Gil, without the faintest idea what he was driving at. "Yes, and here's the key!" placing it in Gil's hand. "Now be expeditious, and above all things, let us have no noise." So saying, with a stealthy pace and mysterious look, Senor Basta quitted the "Not exactly, Senor; I kill for food," replied room, leaving Gil in a state of perfect bewilderthe other." "Well then, approach nearer; don't laugh, it chills me to the soul to see a being like you smile." "Does it though? how singular, but I can't help it," rejoined Gil, with a laugh louder than ever. "I have good reason to be merry to-day, for between you and me I have disposed of a couple of carcasses." ment. An indifferent person, to look at him, would suppose that he was merely trying to guess at the weight of his knife, as he balanced it up and down in his hand; whereas he was, with all his metaphysical might, endeavoring to unravel the meaning of the Senor's parting words. At last he gave his forchead a friendly tap. "That's it," said he, "that must be it, and Nivetta did n't like to tell me; she said it was a "Sold them?” cried Basta, in accents of horror. mysterious kind of a place; as sure as life it's a 66 Exactly," replied Gil. "Of your own killing?" "Of my own individual dispatching." "Cold-blooded ruffian," muttered the Senor; "But to business-you know what you came here for to-day?" "Perfectly well," replied Gil. "To do a morsel of trade-to pierce the delicate and susceptible heart of 66 Hush, not so loud," interposed the other. "It is enough-let it be done." "You may depend on it," responded our friend with a knowing wink, "and in my own peculiar way." "Is that the knife?" inquired Basta, pointing to the instrument of Gil's profession, which was stuck in his belt, and certainly did look a most formidable weapon as he plucked it out with a dexterous flourish. "Yes," he cried, as he gazed affectionately on the polished steel, breathing on it to rub private mad house, and this chap is one of the inmates; it's lucky I did n't let him have my knife. I'm glad I humored him too-that's what kept him quiet. They say if you don't contradict mad folks they won't boil over. Ha, ha, what the deuce was the fellow thinking about, I wonder." Then Gil imitated the mysterious look and action of Senor Basta, moving toward the door at the same time. "That's the chamber, and this is the key,"but before he could finish his laugh, a female, with a most distracted look rushed towards him, and seizing him by the arm, cried in a fierce tone, "Man of blood, desist!" "Hang me if I didn't think so," said Gil. "Here's another of 'em." It was Isabella who spoke-she continued looking imploringly in Gil's face. "You know not what a crime you are about to commit!" "Yes, of course," quietly replied Gil, intent LOVE AND MURDER. 7 upon his soothing system, "By Saint Dominic, relieved by her absence. "I wonder what she's there's a whole nest of them." "It's all a mistake," fervently cried Isabella. "Well, I'm very glad to hear it," said Gil, still endeavoring to move toward the door; but she restrained him, exclaiming at the same time: "Will you not give me that dreadful knife? Oh, suffer me to wrest it from your hands." "No, no," replied Gil, in increasing consternation, "my dear good mad-I mean madame,”I must be gentle, thought he, or I may set her raving "The fact is," he insinuated with a bland smile, "I would give it to you with pleasure, but I'm just about to use it." This observation, instead of producing the effect intended, brought on a perfect paroxysm. She grasped his arm, and with eyes whose terrible dilation seemed to Gil the very fury of insanity, looking into his very soul, almost screamed out, "You shall not, by all my hopes of happiness you shall not. I am but a woman, yet to prevent so foul a deed I should feel myself endowed as with a giant's strength." "Oh! where on earth are the keepers?" groaned Gil, in the perturbation of his heart; his flesh began to creep and gather into little hillocks, his heart gave two or three cold plunges, he was afraid; so awful a thing is it to be face to face with madness. "It was jealousy," she cried, " false, groundless jealousy urged him to take this desperate step." Gil, intent upon mild measures, briefly responded, "You're quite right, madame." 66 "Ah! let me not be deceived," she continued, surely I see commiseration in your eye." "Not at all unlikely, my lady," replied Gil, hoping the attack was about to take a favorable 'Certainly, madame, if it will do you the slightest good." Ah, bless you for that word; and yet "-her eye roving toward the knife in what Gil thought a most singular and suspicious manner as she spoke, I cannot feel assured, while you retain that fearful blade." She was just about to make a snatch at it. when she started, and in an accent of terror whispered, "Hark! 'tis his footstep." "No! is it though?" said Gil. "It is," she replied; "here, take this purse." Now Gil had slight conscientious scruples about availing himself of such insane liberality; however, fearful of irritating her by a refusal, he resolved to pocket both his scruples and the purse. "Let me depend upon you," she whispered with fervor. "Keep your promise, and you shall be well rewarded. I dare not remain." "I'm very glad of it," cried Gil, considerably mad about-fancies herself an ill-used empress, I suppose. By St. Dominic, I must get away before any more of them make their appearance. Oh! protect us! here's that wild fellow back again." It was Basta; rushing toward Gil he whispered into his ear, "Is it done?" Gil was puzzled; however, he had no time to deliberate, so he boldly replied, "It is." At that instant the Senor caught sight of Isabella's purse, which Gil was gingerly dandling on his finger. "Ha," he cried, furiously snatching it, "her purse, as I live; another evidence of her guilt." Now Gil had had it just long enough to be sensible of its loss, and ventured to remark, "Come, I say, fair play; that's mine." "I know it is, wretch!" replied the other, with one of those looks Gil did not relish, "your lawful spoil-you tore it from his prostrate body, did you not?" Decidedly I did." "Then keep it; is he dead?" "Dead? oh, yes, very dead." Just then Leon, Andrea's brother, arrived, and overheard Gil's declaration. He concealed himself a moment, as Basta cried furiously, "One victim to my just vengeance is immolated, I go to find the other." Gil cut an involuntary caper, flung the wellfilled purse up in the air, and caught it as it descended. 66 Not a bad day's work this," said he, preparing to make a quick exit; but he was doomed to a greater surprise; for just as he reached the threshold, Leon rushed after, seized him by the throat, and with a powerful jerk flung him to the ground; and when he did look up, the point of an exceedingly delicate rapier was within an inch of his nose, held by the most furious-looking individual he had yet seen. "Blood-thirsty villain," roared the new-comer, "vile, remorseless wretch!" "The saints protect me," muttered Gil. "It's all over with me now; oh! mercy, mercy." "Mercy! cowardly butcher," replied his assailant, “how can you expect mercy, having shown The blessed saints, that 's because I contradicted him, thought Gil, as he hastened to add, "That is to say, nobody in particular.” "Foul, prevaricating caitiff, did I not overhear you tell Senor Basta you had slain my brother?" "Your brother! was it your brother?" mildly inquired Gil, alive to the necessity of acquiescence, "I'm really very sorry' "Peace, heartless ruffian, and prepare to die," cried the other; come, say a quick prayer, for assuredly as strength is in this arm, so surely shall you follow your victim." “Murder, murder, keepers, where are you?" screamed out Gil, in the intensity of his agony. Fortunately, Senor Basta hearing the dismal shout, arrived just in time to prevent Leon from gauging the diameter of Gil's corporation; knocking away Leon's sword he said, "How now, young sir, would you tempt your villain brother's fate?" "He was no villain," fiercely retorted Leon. Holy St. Dominic,” prayed Gil, "put it into their hearts to kill each other! what a dreadful thing for the keepers to be out of the way!" "Tis thou art the villain," Leon continued, "and thy unjust suspicions have urged thee on to foul murder; my brother was innocent." "No, no,” replied Basta, "I could not be deceived; I saw them with my own eyes; I saw them enfolded in each other's arms." ""Tis false; false as thine own false heart which engendered such a thought," cried Leon, while Gil, who, during the conversation, had managed to crawl towards the corner of the corridor, intent upon seizing the earliest opportunity to escape, muttered to himself, "Oh, how I hope they'll fight; ha, this door, I wonder where it leads to?" He was soon enlightened; for as he was about to investigate, he heard a new voice exclaim from the other side, "Where is he-where is the assassin of my love?" Holy St. Dominic, here's another, thought Gil; and making himself as small as possible, he crouched back into his corner; meantime, Basta, who had started and turned as white as marble, cried out, "Whose voice was that?" "Anita's," replied Leon; "Anita, whose life's joy was wreathed with my brother's existence; the betrothed of him you have so foully butchered, how can you bear to meet the glance of her eye?" Basta was prostrated-the truth flashed upon him in an instant-his unworthy jealousy, his heedless resolve, his terrible guilt-with trembling voice he gasped, "It cannot be!" The door was flung open, and Anita rushed toward Basta; in despairing accents she sobbed, "Ah! cruel, heartless man, to take a life that was so dear to me!" "They're all in a story," thought Gil; "this must be a kind of family lunacy." "How has your fatal jealousy blinded your reason!" she continued, every word falling on the stricken Basta's ear like the knell of departed happiness; "'t was to me those attentions were directed which you thought were bestowed upon my sister; to me, whose life and love were linked with his, and now my heart is widowed by a brother's hand." The too late repentant Basta clenched his hands into his hair, exclaiming, "Oh! fool, fool; thoughtless, blind, inhuman villain," when he caught sight of our friend Gil, whose evil genius had just prompted him to make one effort for freedom. Rushing to intercept him. "Here," he cried, "here is the cool, heartless instrument of my villainy; had he but paused an instanthad not his ready knife been anxious for the dreadful deed, it might still have been undone." "Vengeance, vengeance!" exclaimed Anita, interrupting him, "is this the fiend that from his precious life divorced my love? Oh! I could tear him piecemeal!" and Gil, for an instant, felt as From one to another he dodged about in a vain though the flesh were peeling from his cheek. endeavor to escape. Leon and Basta met him with their rapiers, and Anita, with extended fingers, the fury of ten tigresses flaming from her eyes. "Mercy, mercy," he cried, "good lunatics, give me a moment or two for ghostly preparation. Oh! what has become of the keepers?" Hold no longer parley with the assassin," exclaimed Leon, "but let us each kill our share of him--shall we not?" The circle closed round the devoted butcher, who, though he continued to expostulate as well as he could, certainly expected nothing but to finish his earthly account very suddenly. However, he was doomed to another disappointment; for just as the two swords and ten fingers were approaching his throat, he heard still another voice utter with powerful accent, the emphatic and to him very satisfactory monosyllable, No! at which, to Gil's increasing astonishment, his three assailants, with a simultaneous exclamation of surprise, rushed toward the door; it was unlocked, and a young gentleman sprang forth, and was alternately embraced by all round; and before Gil had time to recover from his wonder, the sedate Senor had hugged him also like a brother; then the others embraced him in like manner, not even excepting the young lady, until the strange and rapid mixture of events produced a sort of chaos in Gil's brain, and he began seriously to think he must have been mad himself for some considerable length of time. "Preserver of my honor," cried Basta, shaking him by the hand. |