Part 11 (2/2)

”You are going to get a bad answer,” exclaimed Sinang.

Ibarra threw the dice, and noting the number, they looked for the page in the little book with the corresponding answer.

”Dreams are only dreams,” read Albino.

Ibarra took out his pocket-book and opened it trembling.

”This time your book has lied,” he said, full of joy. ”Read this!”

”Plan for school house approved; other matter decided in your favor.”

”What does that mean?” they all asked.

”Did you not tell me that the one who received the best answer was to get a present?” the young man asked, his voice trembling with emotion while he carefully divided the paper into two parts.

”Yes, yes!”

”Well, then! This is my gift,” he said handing half of the telegram to Maria Clara. ”I am going to have a school house for boys and girls erected in the town. This school house will be my gift.”

”And this other piece: what does that mean?”

”I will give that to the one who has obtained the worst answer.”

”Then that is for me!” exclaimed Sinang.

Ibarra gave her the piece of paper and quickly went off.

”And what does this mean?”

But the happy young man was already far away from the little group and he did not reply. He had gone to finish the game of chess.

After making the present to his betrothed, Ibarra was so happy that he began to play without stopping to think or even examining carefully the position of the chess. As a result, although Captain Basilio had defended himself only by the greatest effort, the young man made so many mistakes that the game resulted in a draw.

”We end the suit, we end the suit!” said Captain Basilio, happy over his success.

”Yes, we declare it off,” repeated the young man, ”whatever decision the judges may have been able to reach.”

Each grasped the hand of the other and shook it with effusion.

In the meantime, while those present were celebrating the ending of the law-suit, of which both had long been tired, four Civil Guards and a sergeant suddenly arrived on the scene. They were all armed and had their bayonets fixed, a fact which naturally disturbed the merriment and brought fright into the circle of women.

”Let everybody be quiet!” cried the sergeant. ”Whoever moves will be shot!”

In spite of this gruff boast, Ibarra rose to his feet and approached the sergeant.

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