essness of struggling against his great
strength and will, so she relaxed her efforts and became quite passive
in his arms, her face cast down. Besides, it seemed as though all her
strength had left her. She trembled so violently and felt so weak that
she must have sunk to the ground had he not supported her.

"Sweetheart!" he cried more passionately than ever. "What do we care for
the world? Look up and say you will come with me!" Her soul thrilled
with the rapture his words caused her.

"Jack," she said at length, raising her head and looking up into his
face, "I love you too much to do that. Not until my name has been
cleared--" They heard a rustling sound on the other side of the
tamarisk. Another moment, and the long, plumy sprays parted and Don
Felipe stepped into the pathway. His face was ashen pale and wore the
look of a thoroughly desperate man.

"Captain Forest," he began, breaking the painful silence that ensued, "I
have vowed that you shall never marry her. I give you one more chance,"
and he raised his right arm and pointed toward the gate. "Go, while
there is yet time!" he commanded, his voice vibrant with passion. "Go
back to the _Posada_ at once and saddle your horse and leave the country
this very night. If you do not--"

"You think to intimidate me?" interrupted the Captain, quietly
releasing Chiquita from his arms and confronting him.

"Once more--will you go?" demanded Don Felipe in a harsh, fierce voice.

"No!" answered the Captain.

"Then your blood be upon your own head!" he cried, and without a
moment's warning, he drew a long knife from his inner breast pocket and
rushed furiously upon him.

"Coward, to attack an unarmed man!" cried the Captain, springing aside
just in time to avoid his thrust. Without replying, Don Felipe whirled
with the swiftness of a cat and rushed at him again. The Captain glanced
hurriedly about him in search of some weapon of defense. Close at hand
he espied a small, fragile, gilt chair that had been left there by
chance during the day. Seizing it by the back with both hands he raised
it aloft and aimed a swift blow at his adversary, but the latter
cleverly dodged it by dropping on one knee. The chair crashed to the
ground with terrific force, its fragments flying in all directions.

Captain Forest was a wonderfully active man for his size. Before Don
Felipe was on his feet again, he sprang forward and seized his right
arm. The two men grappled desperately for s