Bandit Love

"So you have only been making mock of me, playing a part as usual, to

flatter your own vanity!" she exclaimed. "I am sorry now that Tony's

aim was not truer, and that I prevented him from firing a second time."

"The result would have been just the same, Myra," Don Carlos responded.

"The pistol was loaded with blank cartridges. I deliberately left it

within the reach of Standish, to see if he would have the nerve to use

it, and to see how you would behave if he fired at me. You must admit,

Myra darling, that you showed more concern for me than for Standish,

thereby proving that you love me best. Dear heart, I shall treasure

the memory of the first kiss you gave voluntarily."

"I would kiss any ruffian who begged me to do so if I thought he was

dying," said Myra. "You have no reason to flatter yourself on the

success of your play-acting trickery."

"Myra, don't you think you have resisted me and the call of your heart

long enough?" countered Don Carlos. "Must I take still stronger

measures to induce you to surrender yourself voluntarily? What if I

tell you that I propose to have Antony Standish branded with hot irons

and scourged as a punishment for attempting to kill me, unless you give

yourself to me?"

"You are talking melodramatic nonsense again," Myra protested. "You

would surely not be guilty of such devilish cruelty!"

"El Diablo Cojuelo is capable of any devilry," Don Carlos retorted

grimly. "Would you sacrifice yourself to save Standish if he were

willing to accept your sacrifice?"

"I suppose I should have no alternative," replied Myra, after a pause.

"But Tony would not accept my sacrifice. He is an Englishman, and will

never be scared into surrendering me to one whom he believes to be a

Spanish brigand and outlaw. He loves me."

"Unless I am much mistaken, he has not even begun to know the meaning

of love," said Don Carlos. "Tell me, Myra, if my threat to have him

flogged and branded makes him offer to surrender you to El Diablo

Cojuelo in order to save himself, will you marry me?"

"If I thought he'd sacrifice me to an outlaw to save his own skin, I'd

marry you in his presence," exclaimed Myra impulsively.

"That is a promise," said Don Carlos quickly. "You shall marry me in

his presence if he proves himself a craven. I will see him again now

and discover what is in his heart and mind--and I shall have a priest

in readiness."