Suddenly she sat upright and shook back her head with a resolute gesture peculiar to herself. "Oh, I am foolish to behave like this! And all this time we ought to be thinking about your escape. Oh, my poor boy," she cried, breaking into tearful laughter, "if you could only see your face! Did you never wash it? loved it better than any other corner in | fered! But every day I said, 'No! Luiz the world. There at least he was alone is not dead; he will come back to me.' with her away from the contemptuous eyes My aunt despaired, and Elena, ah, poor of others; there he would listen to her Elena! how she cried! But I - I knew low, gentle voice, and gaze without fear at that thou wouldst come back to me. But, the face which haunted him even in his oh Luiz - the fear, the fear! it was cruel. dreams; there, too, he would come by Sleeping and waking, waking and sleephimself and let his thoughts and imagina- ing, it was always with me, until I thought tion run wild, picturing to himself an im. I should go mad with it. Ah, cruel!" A possible future, and forgetting his present convulsive sob shook her utterance. With unhappiness, his past, his dress, even his his one arm he strained the slight body own identity. On those occasions the closer to him, while he kissed her halfbreviary would remain in his pocket; he hidden face with fierce emotion. "Cruel never read it there. Teresa had deserted cruel!" she went on murmuring brokthe place of late - her anxious watch for enly. news that never came kept her from straying far from the house so that Felipe, on visiting their old retreat, was not a little startled to see her there before him, still more startled to see that she was not alone. His coming had not been noticed, and at first he had a mind to slip away unobserved; then there came upon him an uncontrollable desire to know who this intruder was. Alas for poor Felipe! Neither his education nor his own feelings forbade his playing the part of an eavesdropper. He crept stealthily up under cover of the house itself until he found himself close to the bench upon which Teresa and he had so often sat together, where he could not only hear but see all that was passing. At the moment that he got into position, Teresa stood up to change hers. When he first saw her, she was sitting side by side with her companion; now she rose to her feet, still holding one of his hands with both her own; then, settling herself lightly upon his knees, let his arm fall round her, while she clasped her own round his neck and nestled her head against his shoulder with a soft sigh of content. Felipe clutched at his own throat, as if to stifle the cry that started to his lips. Steadying himself against the wall he stared at them with straining eyes. The stranger was young and well-looking, in spite of his dirty and travel-stained appearance. He wore the usual loose dress of a gaucho, in his case rather torn and by no means over-clean; but his military boots and spurs at once betrayed his disguise. His unshorn face was grimed black with dust; one arm hung useless to his side, bandaged with blood-stained rags; another bandage equally stained and dirty almost concealed his forehead. It needed no words from Teresa for Felipe to guess who it was. "Luiz, Luiz!" she was saying in broken sentences. "Ah, think what I have suf hope it has not come off on mine." She held his head between her hands and examined it critically, as if to find a clean spot for the kiss which she finally bestowed on the dirty bandage round his forehead. "There was no time for washing," he rejoined. "I have not taken off my boots - nay, I have hardly slept for six days. Teresa! little one! had I not thought of thee, I should never have got through those days." You Yes, but there is no more. thought of me now; it is of you we must think. say that there is to be a boat waiting for you to-night on the river; but how are we to get you away from the estancia? They are watching us on that side. I suppose that we must not let my uncle know that you are here? No, no. No one at the estancia must know it. Don Geronimo is sufficiently compromised already. Indeed, I ought not to have come here at all, but I could not bear to pass so near to you and not try. to see you. What a happy chance it was that brought you here this afternoon! Already I was despairing of finding the means to warn you." "But how to get away now? Oh, I cannot think of anything! It is terrible! to be so near safety, and yet so far from it still. Luiz, what are we to do?" a "Never fear, niña! A horse and guide are all that I want. I shall get safely enough to the river. But I must have some one to help me to cut the wires of the fences if I do not follow the road. One arm is no arm to a clumsy fellow like me. There must be more than one man whom you could trust." "Ah, yes. But I was thinking-listen, Luiz, supposing that I came with you? I could bring two horses here at nightfall. I could cut the fences as well as another, and I could guide you over those three leagues better than another. Do not shake your head like that- why not? Think how miserable I shall be, here, alone, not knowing whether you are safe or not, imagining every hour that you are in danger. And, oh, how many weary hours before I can know that you are away and escaped! Besides, they are less likely to stop you if they see me there. I so often ride in that direction. Even at night, by moonlight, Elena and I have ridden together. And Don Geronimo's peons, if they meet you, how will they let you pass? Then, when we come to the river- Luiz, shall I not cross it also? Oh, do not let us part again nevermore. I cannot bear it. You cannot go and leave What matters it if I go with you now or join you afterwards? Luiz, Luiz! - say, Come with me!' Luiz, my heart, qncrido!" me. Teresa's voice died away into a passionate whisper. Then silence fell upon them for a while; and upon the listener there fell a darkness so that he neither heard nor saw them any more. When Felipe had regained possession of his senses, the bench was empty, the lovers gone, and he alone. He was lying on the ground; his hands were bleeding, cut and bruised by beating on the stones of the wall. He put his handkerchief to his mouth, and that was bleeding too. Sick and dizzy, he staggered to his feet with difficulty, and stared about him with wild, haggard eyes, trying to realize what had passed, where he was, and why he had come there. At first he was conscious of little but a sickening terror lest the fit should come upon bim again. Gradually, as his senses became more composed, all the repressed passion of the last week surged up within him and took possession of his soul again, this time without a struggle. And yet outwardly he had grown calm, his hand was steady, his mind worked clearly and sensibly. He seemed to have entered upon a kind of dual existence, in which one part of him was watching with quiet, dispassionate curiosity the hell of evil thoughts that was raging in the other; of hatred and revenge, of unsatisfied longing, of helpless, despairing revolt against destiny. There were two Felipes; one who was actively plotting a hateful treachery, the other who feared and passively waited and watched. The first had grown strong with the bitter unhappiness of a lifetime, the second seemed to have lost all support from within; and the strong anger of the first tyrannized over the cowed submis. sion of the other. Like a man in a dream Felipe walked towards the house, moving mechanically, but moving to an unseen end. The night was already far fallen when Teresa rode down through the monte, accompanied by a peon leading another horse. It had been no easy matter to leave the estancia without exciting suspicion, and she had been compelled to take into her confidence not only the man who was now following her, but also her cousin, Elena, who was to account for her absence that night and pacify Doña Apoli. naria the next morning. Once started, Teresa's spirits rose with the occasion. Only a few hundred yards separated her from her lover-a few hundred yards more and they would be together, never to part again. The muffled beat of their horses' hoofs in the deep white dust of the track spelt out a subdued song of joyful thanksgiving and triumph; the myriad swarms of fire-flies that flashed and went out and flashed again across her path lighted her on her way to her love and happiness, while the dark, warm air of the summer night hung like a soft veil around her, caressing and hiding her burning cheeks. And now it was the peon who rode in front, and there were two who rode behind him, side by side, out from under the shelter of the woods into the open plain, where the star-lit splendor of the sky showed them each other's faces only too clearly. In silence they rode, only now and then exchanging a soft whisper or stopping still to listen with bated breath to some faint, distant sound, which might suggest the tramp of mounted horses or the clash of accoutrements. The patrols that watched the road to the river were not likely to wander so far from it, and the boat was to meet them at a point some miles distant from the usual landing-place. Nevertheless, to their uneasy senses every movement seemed fraught with danger. Sometimes a strayed cow or solitary horse would start into motion, disturbed by their approach, and disappear noisily into the darkness. At such moments Teresa grew sick with the violent beating of her heart. The short time required for cutting the wires and passing through no pains to account for the priest, whose the fences that crossed their path seemed absence, moreover, did not concern any. to her whole hours of suspense. Still body very much. Had she known where they travelled on safely, and already there he was at that moment, and how em. was but one short mile between them and ployed, she would have found it even more the river. Suddenly their guide reined up difficult than she did to maintain her ordinary composure. Felipe was also seated at table, but at a table in the hut occupied by Captain Crespo, the officer in command of the detachment of troops that had been despatched in pursuit of revolutionary fugitives, whose presence on Don Gero his horse. "There are some men riding there before us on the left." Without another word he turned his horse sharp to the right, followed closely by his companions. Presently their horses broke into a quicker gallop, and still silently their rid-nimo's estancia had caused the owner no ers urged them on. Courage, Teresita! We shall soon leave them behind. Steady your horse that is right! Thou art a brave girl!" and Luiz turned in his saddle to look back at the pursuers. Again they rode on in silence. Only a breathless sob broke from Teresa, of fear and panting dismay. Suddenly a shot echoed behind them. "Quick! quick!" she cried. on- faster, faster." "Ride little uneasiness. Captain Crespo had been writing. He rolled a cigarette, cast a careless glance at the white face and burning eyes that confronted him from the other side of the table, and leisurely proceeded to read what he had written. "That is all?" he said, when he had finished. "You can give me no further information, señor?" "No." "You are not aware then that the companions of Captain Valdez, from whom he separated two days ago, have already succeeded in eluding my men and crossing the river? "I know nothing of his companions. I saw no one but this Valdez." "Ah! Well, it almost seems a pity, does it not? Had he only remained with them he would be safe now. As it is, I have strict orders, and shall be under the painful necessity of shooting him within an The ground was broken and full of hour of his capture. Let us see, it is now holes. More than once their horses nine o'clock; the boat, you say, is to meet stumbled and barely recovered them-him at the Paso del Muerto at twelve. selves; it was absolutely necessary to slacken speed and go more carefully. Apparently the pursuit must have dropped considerably behind them, for looking back they could no longer catch the sound of the horses' gallop, or see the dim out line of their riders against the sky. Luiz checked his horse and listened. 66 They have stopped," he said. Oh, do not let us stop!" cried Teresa. "Ride on, Luiz! ride on!" Shouts were heard - but far behind them. The shouting ceased. The flash of a gun tore the blackness of the night like lightning, followed by a distant report, and then all was still again. The three fugitives joined together and rode on into the darkness. Teresa was not the only person absent from the evening meal at the estancia. Felipe's place was also vacant. Elena, who accounted for her cousin with the harmless fiction of a bad headache, was at We shall have plenty of time then to intercept him. No chance of missing him this time. What do you think, Señor Padre?" Felipe did not answer. The other rose to his feet and examined with curious scrutiny the priest's face. He lit his cigarette and leaning against the wall continued with a slightly ironical tone, "Your information has indeed great value. The capture of this Captain Valdez is of vast importance, especially if it can be proved that he was sheltered by Don Geronimo Usabarrena. His death, too, will be a wholesome lesson to our Argentine friends. I congratulate you, señor, on having performed so truly a patriotic and painful duty. The Señor Padre is a good citizen." "I am not of Uruguay. I am an Argentine," returned Felipe in a low voice. "Ah!" The officer turned round and spat upon the floor. Apparently there was nothing intentional in the action, nev- | ertheless it brought the blood back to Felipe's sallow cheeks, only to fade away again leaving them more ghastly than before. The officer said no more, but busied himself with various preparations for a start. Then turning to his guest he said in a brief tone of command, "As you will have to accompany me, señor, you had better understand what my intentions are. I have been obliged to despatch my men on another service, and there is no time to recall them. As how ever there is no need of any force, I shall only take one man with me beside your self- Yes, señor, I must insist upon your accompanying me," he continued, as Felipe made a gesture of dissent, "and I must warn you that if I have the slightest reason to think that you play me false you understand me; I make no threats. And now let us be off." So it had happened that even before Teresa and her two companions had left the estancia another party of three had already travelled by the road straight to the river and were waiting their arrival. Captain Crespo's first idea of seizing the boat was frustrated by his inability to find it. None of them knew the exact spot where the path lay that led to the paso; the river was fringed by a narrow belt of dense wood, and they soon gave up the hopeless task of forcing their way through on horseback and following the bank until they found it. The only way was to remain outside in the open and keep watch over the few hundred yards of clear space which the fugitives would have to pass by whatever way they came to the river. Felipe rode quietly beside his two companions, exchanging no word with them, staring before him between his horse's ears into the darkness. How strange are the visions that come to one out of the darkness! He saw his miserable childhood; a wretched, friendless boy, cowering before the world, whose hand seemed always uplifted against him; a friendless, lonely manhood, despised, useless to himself and others. And then there came the vision of another life, petted and caressed from its infancy, filled with the joys of youth, surrounded by every loving care and affection; and moving on with happy confidence and assurance from one success to another, crowned by the love of one woman. The two lives meet; a rattle of musketry and the happy one falls dead while the other is left. A dreadful laugh broke from his lips. Captain Crespo turned with an angry remonstrance. Felipe stared at him vacantly; he, too, had heard the laughter with surprise, he did not know that it came from him. No- never again would Teresa's arms be round that neck; never would her lover come back to her. Ah, God! but Teresa would be there. He himself would meet her- his eyes would meet her eyes. She would know all. Her pale face rose vividly before him, her great eyes changing from agonized terror for her lover to bitter and indignant scorn as they met those of his miserable be. trayer. No - he could not meet her. It was not possible. He would turn back. "This way," said his leader in a brief, impatient whisper; "and be careful not to let your horse rattle his bit like that." Felipe obeyed, like a man oppressed by nightmare, and spellbound by the horrible dream from which he cannot wake. His tongue clung to the roof of his mouth; he could not speak or cry out, neither could he make any movement of his free will; he could only follow and keep close. The long minutes passed slowly; to his sick brain they appeared hours of delirium. Still he knew now that he was possessed; possessed by the devil in the form of that Uruguayan officer. It was the thought of that man that had first suggested to him his crime, and now he was caught in the devil's net and there was no escape. All the flood of his hatred turned against the man who rode beside him. When they first started Felipe had been given a revolver, which he had accepted without knowing or thinking what he might be expected to do with it. Did he only dare had he but the power to use it! "Listen "the soldier bent forward, "I think they are coming towards us." What had happened Felipe did not realize, but he found himself galloping wildly on between his two companions. "One of them rides like a woman," said the officer, who was slightly in advance. "It is Teresa," Felipe thought; he cried out hoarsely to the other two to stop, but no one seemed to hear or heed him. Suddenly he got his revolver free, and, urging on his horse till it was nearly level with that of Captain Crespo, fired point-blank at the officer. The bullet struck the horse, shattering the shoulder-blade, and bringing him heavily to the ground. Felipe's own horse, swerving at the shot, stumbled and fell. He was clear of the animal in a minute, and, rushing to the officer, who was rising with difficulty, half stunned by the shock, flung himself upon "Devil! devil!" he him with a wild cry. The soldier pulled up his horse and rode back, in answer to the shouts of his officer. He struck at Felipe with the butt-end of his carbine, but it was difficult to reach him without hurting his oppo. nent. The soldier dismounted. At that moment Felipe released his hold, and leaping to his feet turned and ran forward. Without a word, the soldier put up his carbine and fired. The priest staggered on a few more steps, then throwing out his arms fell on his face. "You have killed him," said the officer angrily, as they stood by the outstretched figure that lay motionless. The soldier shrugged his shoulders. "What was I to do then? The horse is done for," he added, as he turned back to examine the other victim, whose fate touched him much more nearly. Shall I try to catch the priest's horse for you, señor capitan?" 66 The captain, who appeared faint and badly shaken, was sitting upon the ground nursing one arm. "No, it is no use. We had better return. I will ride your horse and you can walk. Curse that fellow!" he added; " I believe my arm is broken." With some difficulty he was hoisted on the horse, and rode slowly back to his quarters, the soldier trudging beside him. "The fool of a priest was mad," he said after some time. "So I think, Señor Capitan." From The Asiatic Quarterly Review. THE RUBY MINES OF BURMA. THE ruby region of Burma consists of a series of small valleys nestling on the southern slope of a range of mountains called the Shwey-Doung, or Golden Mounts; itself an arm running east and west from the great central chain of Burma. The mines are all contained in a crescent or quarter-moon-shaped area some fourteen miles long by six wide, made up of minor ridges and indentations down which the watercourses trickle irregularly like the veining of a leaf. A few miles off to the south they all unite in a stream which joins the Irawadi River just above Mandalay. Roads following the course of this stream form one means of approach to the mines, and caravans and British troops have travelled this way; but the gradual rise, from two hundred to three hundred feet above sea-level at Mandalay to the four thousand to five thousand feet elevation of the valley-beds at the mines, is much broken by spurs of hills and rugged ground; and the conquest of the place was made from the west and north over the passes six thousand and seven thousand feet high across the crests of the hills, whose peaks rise to nearly eight thousand feet. Our troops, under General Stewart, consisting of the Yorkshire Regiment, the 42nd Ghoorkhas, Artillery, and Bengal Sappers, had a trying and tedious prepara. tion in making roads and forwarding provisions before making the final ascent in the last few days of 1886. Skirmishes in "You had better hold your tongue about the plains near the river showed a deterthis business, do you hear?" "Si, Señor Capitan." The captain rode on in moody silence. Suddenly he broke into speech again. "But why did he do it? He must have been mad; but even so "What would you have, Señor Capitan? He was a priest." About the time that the officer reached his house, a boat was crossing the river in the stern of which two figures sat with clasped hands. The first grey light of dawn greeted their arrival on a friendly shore, illuminating Teresa's happy face as she turned with a glad smile towards her lover. On the other side of the river the morning light revealed another sight, a slender form, dressed in black, lying stretched out on the empty plain, stark and cold. And yet Felipe, too, had crossed a river that night, to find rest from all his troubles on its further bank. WILFRANC HUBBARD. mination to strong resistance by levies of Shans and hill-men who usually display good fighting power when they are near cover; but the severe handling they received in the early encounters, when misplaced confidence led them into more open ground, made them abandon exceptionally strong stockades, in well-chosen positions near the summits of the passes, on the roads towards Mogok and Kyatpyen. Natural gates, formed by huge black monolithic limestones, were closed by tier upon tier of felled trees, and faced with spikes on the former; while on the latter a carefully excavated trench, fronted with an earthen breastwork covered with treetrunks and spiked bamboos, entirely commanded the V-shaped ravine along which the steep road ascended. In both cases a threatened turning of the flanks took the heart out of the defenders, and a bold front rush, with but little fighting, made the mercenary heroes suddenly remember |