CHAPTER XXI.

THE MONSTER COMES AGAIN.

At first Roderic only met with disappointment, for while people were continually passing, and some even went in and out of Senor Pedro's little shop, none upon whom his observation fell seemed to bear any resemblance 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 her after all, since in the governor's daughter he saw, not a beautiful girl who had fascinated him but a messenger bringing hopes of a bright future.

For once Roderic was unconscious of the fact that he seemed to be an object of deep interest to some member of the fair sex seated on a balcony not far away.

She had her face partially concealed by the filmy lace so thoroughly a part of a Spanish woman's toilet, and this she manipulated in such a way that even a dear friend passing by might never have suspected her identity.

Something about Roderic appeared to have attracted her attention--perhaps it was the fact of his haunting that immediate vicinity, perhaps his manly showing that appealed to her heart, it might even be possible that she believed she knew him.

Many opportunities were given for a careful examination of his walk and carriage, and the more this unknown senorita looked the deeper grew her interest until at last she exclaimed softly, yet with no little rapture:

"_Madre de Dios!_ it is no other than he--there cannot be two men so fashioned by Heaven, so perfect in figure, so brave in movement, so altogether charming; but what does he seek--what the object of his tramp back and forward?"

Evidently milady of the balcony entertained the warmest affection for the party whose identity she thought she had discovered under Roderic's disguise.

Her curiosity being aroused she began to cast about for some object that would explain this sentinel tramp of the man on the plaza.

It was not long before she decided that his interest was wholly taken up with the little shop of the plaza tobacconist.

Now doubtless the quaint establishment of Senor Pedro was a gem in its way, and worthy of considerable notice--she chanced to know it well and that many lovers were wont to designate it as a point near which they appointed a rendezvous--indeed, certain tender memories even made her gentle bosom heave, and a sigh escaped her lips as she looked again at the shop.

But there must be some other reason why this man of the striking figure, and walk so energetic, so different from the usual run of Spaniard or native Porto Rican should haunt the vicinity.

"Ah! he expects some one--he has friends in San Juan he said--it is a rendezvous for business. How little does he dream that eyes filled with tender love are on him. I do not think I can much longer refrain from letting him know--our old signal, ah! how he would hasten thither did 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 turn and look around, and when I make one beckoning movement, ah, me, with the speed of love he will fly to me. All else is forgotten--my hungry heart clamors for the sound of his voice, which is life and light to me. Yes, I will cast prudence to the winds--the spell of his presence is over me--to feel the warm clasp of his hand, to hear his voice that has haunted my dreams tell me again how he loves only me--ah, that will be Heaven on earth. And to think I can enter Paradise just by one little bird whistle--ah! what delightful suspense while I linger and anticipate; but it is cruelty to him I love. So then, the signal that has often in the past called him to my side."

It chanced, however, that whatever this signal may have been she did not make it just then.

On the contrary, bending forward she watched the man on the plaza with new interest, a different feeling having crept like an icy hand into her heart.

There was reason.

Roderic's slow saunter had become a quick walk, and in his whole attitude could be seen an eagerness that animated his frame--in a word he had become electrified.

No signal had been given, but his eyes had fallen upon a veiled female figure that came along the plaza.

They would meet in front of Senor Pedro's establishment, just as scores of couples had met time without mind.

This fact appeared to stamp itself upon the mind of the looker on--it was apparently one of the first things she thought of.

"The same place that was so sacred to me, and he goes to greet another there. Am I awake or is this some terrible dream. See, they meet, he holds out his hand--how eagerly he takes hers and raises it to his lips. And she--I cannot see her face, but what is this--so like in figure in her walk--surely my soul remains here on the balcony while my human form has gone to meet its king. And yet--and yet, how can it be so? Would to Heaven she might but remove her veil if but for one moment that I might see whether I dream or really see him with another. Could she have heard my wish--she raises her hand, she brushes aside the veil as though he but had to ask the favor. Be still, treacherous, sorely wounded heart. What beauty, what ravishing charms be in that face. And how 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 the plaza.

Roderic, poor fellow, utterly unconscious of the fact that he was giving pain to a heart that yearned for him, continued to promenade with the governor's daughter.

There were others on the plaza, and the couple attracted no particular attention 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 future he had mapped out for himself and the girl he loved.

Perhaps his manner appeared devoted according to the film that jealousy cast 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 bearing good news, and as a gentleman how could he be other than attentive--who could be a boor when his companion was a pretty woman?

Alas! he little suspected how in the eager effort to further the cause of his happiness he was heaping up coals of fire with which to inflict torture upon himself and she whom he loved.

When all had been told and arrangements made for a future meeting, the girl left him.

Roderic had imbibed some of the courtly ways of these people, and it was not at all strange that he should again raise the hand she gave him to his lips.

The action however, might be misconstrued.

He had heard much that interested him, and besides found desperate work cut 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 he might consider the whole case, and form plans for the immediate future. To those who are accustomed to the solace of a weed the necessity of this step can be understood and needs no apology.

Roderic, having a glorious destiny opening before him, and being in the possession of unbounded health and strength, enjoyed the first part of that cigar immensely.

He never knew what the balance was like.

For a shock came upon him, a shock that was entirely unexpected, and which left him so stunned that a Wheeling stogie would have appeared as a prime Havana in his estimation.

What more could be said?

As he turned in his walk he suddenly discovered a veiled figure approaching--walk and figure declared that it could be no other than the governor's daughter--she had forgotten something and had returned to tell him.

Roderic's step quickened as he hastened to meet her now faltering advance.

Naturally enough he smiled pleasantly--why not, under such conditions?

Alas! that one's motives may be misconstrued--that a fever raging in the heart may distort even the most common-place action.

"Ah! you have relented--you will not tear yourself away so soon--you have thought of something else that may have an importance bearing upon our plans--plans that if properly carried out mean happiness for both of us. Yes, I rejoice to see you return, as I was in something of a dilemma 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, I trust: I should never forgive myself if it were so," he said.

Perhaps the anxiety in his tone was strong--at any rate she seemed to tremble 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 or done something unwittingly that has hurt your feelings. Senorita, pray pardon me--restore me to your favor, I beg."

While he was thus apologizing, for what he himself did not have the least idea, Roderic could not refrain from thoughts of an altogether different 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 minutes ago she left me full of spirits and as warmly disposed as one could wish--now she returns and deigns not to even accept my hand. Duse take it, women are all alike, mysteries to me. What have I done in the interim--lighted a cigar and wrapped myself up in thought. It's a good enough cigar, too," casting a dubious glance at the weed as if some vague and monstrous suspicion had arisen in his mind that the inoffensive 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 deceived me, 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 the voice was no other than Georgia's.

Over his face flashed a look of joy, for his heart leaped to meet its mistress.

"Georgia--is it you--I thought, I believed--"

She stopped his stammering exclamations of mingled delight and explanation.

"I do not care to hear what you would say, Senor Owen. After this day, this hour, we must meet as strangers," she said, with difficulty controlling her emotion.

"This is cruel--you cannot mean it, when I am risking my life here in your cause. You say that but to prove me, Georgia."

"I mean every word of it. Think not I have no eyes, Senor Owen--I have seen all. Doubtless your risk has been considerably ameliorated by the pleasant 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 of your voice."

"I swear you wrong me."

"Senor, I saw everything--you might tell me a wonderful tale, but I could never forget."

"Georgia, for the last time I implore you to give me a hearing--that girl----"

"Stop, do not dare to mention her to me, sir. I refuse to hear even her name."

She had thrown back her veil, showing her indignant face, her blazing midnight eyes and Roderic, who had never yet seen her in this mood was appalled.

"Since you command it I shall say no more. Once I condemned you unheard and God knows I paid dearly for the error. Now, with even less reason you 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 is ever accomplished. Meanwhile I shall go my way and find Leon, thanks to the 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 of being unfaithful after all he had given up for her sake.

It might seem as though he would have great patience with one whom he loved and who was passing through the same bitter error that had once engulfed him.

Alas! human nature is not so constituted.

His pride was touched and he believed he had gone far enough to explain.

Ten words, had she allowed him to say them, would have removed the cause for doubt and suspicion; but as imperiously as a young queen, she had forbidden him to speak, and therefore like a lamb led to the altar he would not open his mouth again to plead his cause.

The hour would come, when Leon was restored to her, and she saw in his devoted wife the lovely woman whose association with Roderic had so aroused her jealousy--that hour would witness his triumph--it would balance the account and thus they could start afresh.

So Roderic indulged in philosophical reflections to bolster up his courage.

But he smoked no more that morning.

Georgia had stood there where he had left her as though incapable of action--once she stretched out a hand after his retreating form, and a low cry bubbled from her lips, now hidden by the veil; but by no movement or outcry did she attempt to recall him.

"It is better that I should die than live to be deceived. He would explain, 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 like all men, a perfidious monster. I may not forget him but I shall try to learn to _hate_ him."

Evidently she believed she had a big contract on hand. Then her better nature, urged by the love that nestled in her heart, had an inning.

"He kissed her hand--true, yet since when has that become a crime that men should be condemned because of it? Last night did not General Parrado raise my hand to his lips respectfully. I wonder whether he was pilloried for it this morning by the Lady who Must be Obeyed. What did he 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 to your idol--oh! yearning soul, with what power may I tear your clinging tendrils away from the oak around which they have grown? It will be death to the vine--death to poor wretched me."

She returned slowly to the house, hoping that Roderic would repent his rash resolve and return to give her another chance.

But alas, he came not, for the wound was too fresh, and the salt that had 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, yet no 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 my Roderic 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 the grave of his sainted mother that he loved only me. And I have refused to hear him. He will never seek me again. Night's shades are falling and without his assistance I must venture into the jaws of danger--for Leon's sake. Heaven forgive me and crush my haughty heart because it has made him suffer. Heaven give me a chance to atone for my pride, for the insult put upon him."

And thus lamenting the prettiest girl in all San Juan saw the lights begin to gleam in the island capital.