ill
hesitated to use them--like the woodman, who, with his axe raised
against some noble tree of the forest he has been ordered to cut down,
hesitates before striking the first blow. Gertrudis would have smiled
to encourage him, but at that moment, as she looked upon those gorgeous
tresses, so long and carefully guarded, and which, if unfolded, would
have covered her like a shawl, the poor young girl could not hinder a
tear from escaping her.

"Stay, my Rafael--a moment yet," cried she, while the crimson blush
mantled higher upon her cheeks. "I have long desired--dreamt of it as a
supreme felicity--to entwine in these poor tresses the man whom I should
one day love, and--and--"

Before she could finish speaking, Don Rafael had caught the perfumed
tresses between his fingers, and rapturously kissing them, passed them
around his neck.

"Now I am ready," continued she, raising the long plaits that encircled
her lover's cheeks, and setting the captive free. "Go on, Rafael! I am
ready."

"I should never have the courage to commit such a fearful act," cried
the officer, flinging the scissors upon the floor, and crushing them
under his heel.

"It must be done, Rafael; it must be done. God will punish me else.
Perhaps He may punish me by taking away from me your love."

"Well, I shall do it," rejoined the reluctant lover, "but not yet
awhile. On my return, Gertrudis. For my sake, leave it over till
then."

The passionate appeal of Don Rafael at length obtained a respite, until
the time fixed for his return; which was to be on the morrow--as soon as
he should have assured himself of the safety of his father.

While their next meeting was being arranged between the two lovers,
Gertrudis suddenly started up, like a young doe that springs from its
perfumed lair at the first sound of the hunter's horn.

"Surely I heard a noise?" said she; "a strange noise. What could it
mean?"

Don Rafael, whose senses had been entirely absorbed by his new-found
happiness, sprang also to his feet, and stood listening.

They had scarce listened for a dozen seconds, when a well-known sound
fell upon the ears of both--though well-known, a sound significant and
ominous. It was the report of a gun, quickly followed by several others
as if fired in fusillade.

At the same moment, Don Mariano and his daughter Marianita rushed into
the room. They, too, had heard the reports, which were in the direction
of the hills, and were proce