Beneath the Darkness

Running blindly through the darkness toward the sound of struggle came
Hicks and Winston. They caught no more than faint glimpses of
scattering, fleeing figures, but promptly opened fire, scarcely
comprehending as yet what it all meant. Hicks, dashing recklessly
forward, tripped over a recumbent figure in the darkness, and the two
paused irresolutely, perceiving no more of the enemy. Then it was that
Stutter Brown struggled slowly up upon his knees, still closely
clasping the slender figure of the stricken girl within his arms. She
neither moved nor moaned, but beneath the revealing starlight her eyes
were widely opened, gazing up into his face, appearing marvellously
brilliant against the unusual pallor of her cheeks. Her breath came
short and sharp as if in pain, yet the lips smiled up at him.

"Oh, God!" he sobbed, "it was you!"

"Si, señor," the words faltering forth, almost as if in mockery of his
own hesitating speech. "Once I said maybe I show you. I not know how
den--now I know."

"Sh-show me, little girl--in God's n-name, show me wh-what?"

"Eef eet vas true dat I lofe you, señor. Now you tink eet vas so; now
you all'ays know vat vas in de heart of Mercedes. Dis bettah vay as
talk, señor--nevah you doubt no more."

He could only continue to look at her, the intense agony within his
eyes beyond all expression of speech, his words caught helpless in the
swelling throat. She lifted one hand in weak caress, gently touching
his cheek with her white fingers.