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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 27, 1901)
1CT THE OMAHA DAILY BEE; SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, IHOI. 1 The By S, (Copyright, 1901, by 8. S. McClurc Co.) CIIAPTHIl XI.IX. like Klrc ThruiiKli Slimmer (Srnn. On the whole Hollo could not complain ot his reception nt tho abbey of Montblanch. His heart had Indeed been woe within him I as ho took hU way up tho long zigzags of tho hill road. Thcro wns tho very thorn branch which had brushed off his hat as ho ct forth so gladsomcly with his new com mission In his pocket, his comrades riding tanchly by his side, and tho abbot's good horse between his knees. Well, he bad dono his boot. Things, after their manner, had turned out cross-grained that was all. Ho had, thank heaven, enough ot Mcndlzabal's generous draft left In his pocket to repay tho abbot for what he had spent upon tbclr outfit. After return ing tbo commission, It only remained as delicately as possible to Impart the disas trous news of tho coming dissolution of monasteries and tho assumption of all con ventual propcrty'by tho stale. Then ho would depart. Sarrla and Concha woro not eo far off. Ho began to toko heart even beforo ho reached tho great gate of the abbey. No ono could havo been more cordially moved to seo a long-lost brother than Don Baltasar Varela, tho abbot of Montblnnch, to wclcomo his dear, his well-beloved Dot, Hollo. And his noblo nephow Saint Pierre how did ho do? Then that stolid solemn Eng lishman did ho know that his prlorato had long been shipped from narcclona, an ar rangement having been made with tho Crls tlno custom bouse. "Dut the price? Ho has not paid It. 1 warrant that Mortimer knows nothing ot tho matter!" tiald Hollo, excited for his friend's credit and good nnme. The abbot smiled as ho answered: "Our agent In Prance," ho said blandly, "has received, and cashed a draft from some one of the samo name In England ah, there are nono llko the English for business the world over. Hut hero Is a letter, which has long been watting for that young gen tleman fccre." "I will deliver It to him Immediately, and with groat plcasuro!" quoth Hollo. Tho abbot did not pursue tho subject, but rising said courteously: "You will excuse me for tho present. You know tho library. You will find my fatber-confessor there, whom I think you havo met. There arc. also, works on travelB and lives of the saints In various languages, exceedingly Im proving to the mind. And abovo all, you must dlno with mo tonight!" Then tho abbot, with a kindness which Hollo felt deeply, put oft hearing tho full story ot bis adventures till the cvonlne. Dinner was served In tho prior's own cham ber, as before, but on this occasion much moro simply Indeed, rather as two gentle men might have dined at a good Inn whero their arrival bad been expected and pro Dared for. Hollo's slmplo heart was opened at' tho hospitality that was shown him. The beaming and paternal graclousness of Don Daltasar, tbo difference between what bo bad expected and what he found, wrung his loul with remorao for the messago. ho had to deliver. At last bo was permitted to toll his tale, which he did from tho beginning, slurring only such matters as concerned his relations with Concha. And nt tho end of each por tion of his story tho abbot raised a Anger and said smilingly to tbo father confessor, who stood gloomily silent In the arch of tho doorway, "A marvel! a wonderl You hear, Father Anselmo?" And without moving n musclo of hh 1m placablo countenance tho cx-lnqulsltor nn- wered, "I have heard, my lord abbot!" Then Hollo told ot tho plaguo and the strange things that had happened at l.a Oranja, their setting out thence with tho queen regent and the little princess, their safe arrival upon tbo spurs of Moncavo, ilmost Indeed nt tho camp of Ucneral Ello. Thon, with his head tor the first time bang ing down, he narrated their meeting with Cabrera, and that general's determination to murder the queen regent and her little Sauchtcr. "Abominations such as that no man could endure," said Hollo more than once, i3 he proceeded to tell the tale of their dollvorv. of how ho had dispatched mother and daughter to tho camp ot General Ello, of their subsequent capturo by Espartero. and bow he, Rollo Blair, had hastenod all tho way from Madrid to lay tho wh61e matter before the prior. " 'Tla n marvelous laic, Indeed, that our young friend tolls havo you missed noth ing?" Inquired tho abbot ot his father con fessor. "Nothing," said the confetsor, glaring down upon Rollo ns a vulture might upon a weakly lamb on the mcadowns of Estrn madura, "not n single word hath escaped mo!" Then Rollo delivered to tho abbot (who handed them forthwith to his reverend con. clence keeper) all his commissions and let ters of recommendation. With a drooping head and tho tear In his eye he gave them up. For though ho had enlisted In the Carllst cause purely as a mercenary ho had meant to carry out his undertaking to the letter. When at last Hollo looked up ho found tho grny eyes of tho abbot regarding him with a quiet persistence of scrutiny which perturbed him sll&htly. "Havo you anything more to tell me?" Inquired tho ecclesiastic, laying his hand affectionately on Roljo's sbouldor. "Yon havo done alt that was possible for you. No man could havo dono moro. May a continual peace abide In your heart, my son!" "My fathor," said nollo, laying a strong constraint upun himself. "1 havo Indeed a thing to tell that Is hard and painful. The monasteries throughout all Spain nro to be suppressed on the 20th day of this month by order of tho Madrid govern racot." As the words passed his lips the bland expression on Don Daltassr's fare changed Into ono of fierce hatred and excltoment. There was forced from his Hps that sharp hits of drawn breath which a man In stinctively makes as he winces under tho surgeon knife. Thon almost Immediately ho recovered himself. "Well," ho eald. "wo cannot save tho Abboy wo cannot save tho holy church from this desecration. I havo cried 'Pator ml, bI pojslbllo est, transeat a mo callx Isto!' Rut now I say, 'Vcrumtamen non itcut ego volo, sed slcut Tul' " Then with a curious change of counten ance (the difference between a priest's ex prcsslon at the altar and In the sacristy when things havo goue crossly) he turned to Rollo. "Nevertheless," be said, "I do not deny that to you we owe all thanks and grntl- tude. Perhaps some day you shall be re paid!" When Rollo looked round, the saturnine yrkst bad disappeared. Ills boat and he 1 Firebrand. R- CROCKETT. were alone. Tho abbot poured out the coffee. ' "You will take some ot our famous liqueur," he said, calmly and graciously as ovor. "Tho rcclpo has been In tho pos session ot the abbey for wellnlgh a thou sand years." It seemed a pity that so many things which had lasted a thousand years should come to an end on tho 20th of tho month. Meantime, however, he Imitated tho nou chalanco of tho abbot. Tho liqueur was not to be despised. Hollo held out his gloss scarcely knowing what he did. Tho abbot poured Into U a generous portion of tho preciouB fluid. It was of tho keen cold green known to painters ns verdltcr the color of turnip leaves with tho dew on them. Don Haltasar drew a glass toward him across tho table. "I am no wlne-blbbcr," ho Bald, "my vows do not allow of It. Rut I will give you a toast, which, If you permit mo, I will drink with you In the pure wlno of the flint." Hollo roso to his feet and stood looking at tho prior gut of his steadfast bluo eyes. They touched their glasses, ceremoniously, tho elder, however, nvoldlng the gazo of tho younccr. "Way you bo rewarded, not according to your successes, but according to your deserts," said Don Raltasar. They drank, and Hollo, astonished by the strange, bitter-sweet taste of the liqueur, could only stammer: "I thank you, prior. Indeed, you aro overklnd to me. 1 only wish I had had better news better news to bring you." And then somehow it appeared to tho young man that a kind of waving blackness In wreaths nnd colls llko thick smoke began to Invado the room, bellying upward from tho floor and descending from tho roof. Ho seemed to bo sinking back Into the arras of tho father confessor, Anselmo, who grimaced at him through tho empty oyesockets and toothless Jaws of a skull. Thero were at least fifty abbots In the room, and a certain hue of dusky red In tho shadows of the window curtains first made hlra shudder to tho soul and then affected blra with terror unutterable finally chaos whirled down darkling and multitudinous, and Rollo knew no more. When tho young man came to himself ho was In altogether another place. Ho lay Oat on his back with something hard under his head. His faco seemed cold and wet. Tho place, as his eyes wandered upward, was full of Shifting shadows and uncertain reveallngs of cobwebby roof spaces filled with machinery huge wheels and pulleys, ropes and rings and hooks, on all of which tho blown light of candles flickered fitfully. To ono side ho could dimly percelvo the outlines of what seemed llko a great washerwoman's mangle. After a while Rollo began to see his sur roundings more clearly. Some ono was sitting at a great table covered with black cloth. A hugo cructnx swung over his head, upon It n figure of tho Safoty of the World, startlngly realistic. who him hraueht him here?" he said aloud, uncertain whether or not ho still dreamed. His yolce sounded in nis own ears harsh and mechanical. Rollo tried to lift a hand In order to wipe his brow. He could move neither the right nor the left. Both appeared to be fastened1 firmly to some Dana or ring let into a framework of wood. Then he heard a voice from the figure seated under tho black crucifix: "Bring forward the traitor! Ho shall learn tho great mystery." Hollo folt himself slowly lifted on his feet, or rather tho entire wooden oblong to which his limbs were lashed was erected by unseen forces. Ho could discern tho breathing of men very cIobo to his ear. "Listen," eald a voice from the tribunal. "You, Rollo Blair, havo not only betrayed tho sacred cause of tho blessed King Carlos, but what Is 10,000 times worse, you have been a traitor to holy church battling against much wickedness In high placeB." Who charges mo with these things?" cried Rollo, giving up a vain struggle for freedom. "Out of your own mouth aro you con- domncd," came the answer. "I who speak have heard your confession." Then Rollo knew that Anselmo, tho dark confessor, was his accuser and Judge. His executioners ho had yet to make acquaint ance with. The volco from the tribunal went on, level and menacing. "Tho abbot of Montblanch may forgive a traitor, and bo will. Ho may make and un make pacts with a heretic It It please blm. As for me, my consclenco shall be clean as wero thoso of blessed San Fernando, of Jimenez, of holy Torquemada and ot the most religious San Vlcento Fcrrar. Die you shall, as every traitor ought. But since I would not send an Immortal soul quick to hell, I offer you this opportunity to be reconciled to holy church. I bid you dis avow nnd utterly nbhor all your treacheries and heretic, opinions." , "I am sorry enough for my sins, uoa knows, It so bo I must die," said Rollo, mnklng a virtue of necessity, "but I havo dono no treacheries and ns for heresy I havo nono too much religion ot any kind. If you can help me to moro and better I shall bo grateful without being too par ticular to creed. But my father lived and died a good Presbyterian nnd so, heaven helping mo, shall I!" Tho gloomy monk rcso nt these words, made tho gesture ot warning tho hands and then, turning about, kissed tbo wood of tho black crucifix. "Lay the young man on tho ruck," hp said, "when ho Is ready to recant and be reconciled; you know whero to find me," The two executioners of Anselmo's will wero clad ir black robes from head to foot, even tholr hands bolng hidden. A tall, pointed mask with eyeholes alono revealed anything human underneath, ns, panting with exertion, the men raised Rollo to the level ot tho hugo table with the double rol lers beneath. Then ho felt his hand and feet ono by one deftly loosened and re fastened. Tho frame won stretched from underneath him and Hollo found himself ttrctched on tbo rack. Then, calmly seating themselves on a raised sholf close to his head, his two ex ecutioners removed their tall black hoods, apparently In order that they might wipe tholr bowed brows. Hut that they bad a further purpoo was Immediately appar ent. With Infinite surprise Hollo recognized Luis Fernandez nnd his brother Thomas: Luis smiled evilly as his nnclent enemy rolled his head In his direction. "Yes," ho said, "1 told you my turn would come, I only wish that we bad also tbo pleasure of the company of jour friend, the outlaw, Ramon Oarclu, Rut, after all, that groat maundering oof would never have spoilt my plans but for your cursed Inter fcrence. Twice, thrlco 1 had him trappod as surely as a sheep In a slaughter pen with the butcher's knife at his throat. And then you must needs come In my way. WclL every dog has his day and now this day I shall squaro all reckonings." Fernandez waited for Hollo to reply, but, though his Scot's Instinct was to give back defiance for defiance, ho held his peace. After a pause the cx-mlller ot Sarrla rolled a cigarette and continued serenely between the puffs: "Now listen,'' he said, "this Is my re venge. I have had to pay blood for It, but now It Is mine. For this I sold myself to tbo monks, buckled to them, fetched and carried for them. To tho poor, mad An selmo, with his petty Inquisition nnd holy office, I became a bond slave. I knew you would come back hither and now 1 can do as I will. How much the prior knows or suspects of this pleasant subterranean re treat I am unable to determine. At any rate you cannot expect that ho will bo very much delighted with your performance. But, mark you, It Is I, and not he, who will rack your body till you weep and howl for mercy. I havo studied these dainty In struments. I alono put them In order I, "BUT, MARK YOU, IT IS I AND NOT HE WEEP AND HOWL FOR MERCY." Luis Fernandez, whoso homo you broko up, whose house you burnt down to the bare, blackened walls, whom you made ciesoiaie of the lovo of woman!" "Nay," cried Rollo, hot on a sudden as El Sarrla himself "the lovo of Dolores nrM never was vours no. nor ever would have been In 1,000 years!" "It would, 1 tell you!" responded l-er-nandcz as fiercely. "I know theso soft, till. rsv-temDered women. They cannot do without a shoulder to lean upon. In time she would have loved me aye, ana hut tor than nver she did that ulkltlg man- I mountain of a Garcia! Do you hear that?" koiio nearu, uui uiu uui ici'ij, "Sb ht in mv sweet revonee." Fernan- rir rnntiniied. "the cood father confessor prates of heretics and times for repentance. But ho is roaa raaa ns uon yuixoic, ao you understand? I, Luis Fernandez, am not mad. But If you have any reason for do ssing to live, live you shall, on ray terms. All I ask Is that you answer rae ono ques tion, or rather two as tho price of your life. rtniv nniin'R eves looked an interrogative. For the rest ho held his peace and waited. "Tn m where vou have hidden Dolores Garcia and at what hour and In what place Ramon, her husband, lays mm down to iron, if van declare truthfully these two things, I promise to leavo you with throe days' water and provisions anu 10 provmo for your liberation at tho end of that time. It not, I bid you to preparo to die as the men who have lain where you !Io now!" Hollo's answer came like tho return oi a ball at tennis: "Senor Don Luis," ha said, "if I had Ian nnrarilfiPN from which to chooso mv eternal pleasures I would not tell you!1 If I . . . i i -1. i had as many neus iron wuitu m for you the tortured of the damned. I would nr. mnv 'n word which might aid such a villain In his villainy! Let It suffice for you to know that Dolores uarcia is now whero vou will never reacn ner, uua ns fnr hr husband why. you cowardly dog, asleep or awake, sick or well, you dare not venture within a mile oi nimi iw. i doubt greatly if you dare oven face him dead!" Fornandez rose and motioned his nrotner to tho handle which turned the great Hollo's feet. Then tha young man lay still, listening to the 'dismal groanlngs of the ungrcased bearings and wondo-lng almost Idly wnat was aoom iu happen to him. "God In heaven, be Is here! I tell you I heard him cry! Do you Jhlnk I do not know his voice? I will tear u? tho floor with my fingers If you do not 'make baste." It was Concha who cpolte, or rathar shouted theso words along the rabbit warren of passages which ran this way and that under tho Abbey of Montblanch. But It ,had ncen through Ezquerra and La Olralda that the droad rumor of danger to Hollo had first come to Sarrla. Tho gypsies have strange ways of knowledge moleruns and rat holes beneath, birds of tho air to carry the matter abovo. Sorao servitor in the monastery, with a drop of black blood In him, had heard word dropped by Don Tomas Fornandez In his cups. The brothers, so ho boasted, would not now hove long to wait. The cherry had dropped Into their mouths of Its own ac cord, thus Don Tomas, half-seas-over, averred or at least his confessorshlp would shake the bough and the fruit would corns down with a run. This sly Tomas also knew who would have Hollo's horse when all was over a tostado not met with every day. It was enough more than enough. From Sarrla to Espluga, In Francole, Concha raged through the villages like fire through summer grass. The abbey the friars, the accumulated treasure ot centuries, the power of pit and gallows, of servitude and holy office all these were to end on tbe 20th of tbe month. Meantime a man was being tortured, done to death by ghouls a friend of El Snrrla, n friend of Joso Maria nay, savior of two queens and tho beloved of generals nnd prlmo ministers. Would they help to save him? Ah, would they not! Other rumors cnino up, thick and rank ns toadstools on dead wood. Thero was wuch-an-one ot tho vlllngo of Esplcna, such-nn-other of Camplllo In tho nether Krnncoll they refused tho friars this and tho other! Well, did they not enter tho monastery walls, never to bo heard of moro? Given tho Ignorant prejudices of vil lagers, the hopes of plund?r nwnkened by a lawless tlmo and uncertnln government, Concha, a prophetess, volleying threats nnd prophcsylngs, and what wonder Is It that In an hour or two a band of 1,000 men was pouring through tho gates of tho great abbey, clambering over the tiles, and with fierce outcries .diving down to tho deepest collars. Hut from gnteway to gatoway not a brother was found. All had been warned In time. All had departed, whither no man know, El Sarrla, by his reputation for desperate courage, for awhile kept tho mob from deeds ot vlolencu and spoliation. But still Rollo wna not found. Concha, palo of faco and with deep circles under hor eyos, ran this way and that, her fingers blooding and bruised. In her dcspnlr ho flung herself upon one obstacle after another calling tor this door and that to bo forced, And strong men followed and did her will without halt or question. But ot nil othors It was tho cool, practical WHO WILL RAOK YOUR BODY TILL YOU John Mortimer who hit upon, tho trail. Ho remembered how on their first visit to Montblanch Rollo himself at a certain place near the door of tho strong room In which tho relics wore kept had declared that ho heard a sound llko a groan. And thero In that very placo Concha was driven wild by hearing she knew not whence tho volco of her lovo. It seemed to her that ho called hor name. Men -.an for crowbars and for hammers. The floor was forced up by mere strength of arm. Tho dislodging of n heavy stono gavo access to an underground passage nnd men swarmed down ono nfter tho other, El Sarrla leading tho way, a bar ot Iron like a weaver's beam in his hund. Tho searchers found themselves In a strnngo place. Tho vaulting which they had broken through so rudely enabled them to scramble downward among great beams nnd whocls to a raised platform covered with moth-eaten black. The groaning which Concha had heard was silent, but ns El Sarrla hold up nls hand for silence they could hear something scuttling away nlong tho dark passages llko rats behind n wainscot. Without regarding for the moment some thing vague and indefinite which lay strotched out on a strungo mechanism of wood, El Sarrla darted llko a sleuth hound on the trail up ono of tho passages Into which he bad seen a fugltlva disappear. It was no long chase. Tho pursued doubled to the right under a low archway. Tho passage opened suddenly upon a kind of gallery, ono side ot which was supported on pillars and looked out upon the great gulf of air and space on tho vcrgo of which the monastery was built. The quarry came Into vlow ns they reached tbo sunlight, dazzled and blinking a smallish, lithe man, running and dodging with terror in tho eyes of him. But ho wns no match for his pursuer and boforo ho had gained tho ond ot tho gallery tho giant's hand closed upon tho neck of his enemy. Thon Luis Fernandez, knowing his hour, screamed like a rabbit taken In a snare. And through tho manifold corridors of the abbey and up from underground rang tho dread word, "Torture!" "They havu been torturing him to death In tholr nc cursed prisons. Kill! Kill! iJoutli to the friars wherover found!" For tbo blind mouths of downtrodden vil lagers, long dumb, bud nt last found a tongue. Ramon Garcia looked onco only Into the face which glared up ut him. In that glance Luis Fernandez read his fate. With out a word of anger or any sound, El Sar rla walked to the noarest open arcado of the gallery and threw lils oncmy over with one hand, with tho contemptuous gesturo of a man who flings carton to tho dogs, Luis Fernandez fell COO feet clear and scarce knew that ho had been hurt. "God grant us nil as merciful a death." cried Concha; "llttlo did ho deservo It." They untied Rollo from the trcatlcwork of tho rack, which tho miller of Sarrla had UBed to gratify IiIb revenge. At first he could not stand on his feet. His hands trembled llko aspen lenveH and ho had, per force, to sit down and lenn his head against Concha's shoulder, "Nay, do not weep, llttlo one," he said, "I am not hurt. You enme In time. Hut (here ho smiled) another turn of that wheel and I would havo told them all," Meanwhile tho hnmmors were clanging. At the sight of Hollo's pile, drawn face the populace went wild. Their mad clamor roso to heaven. All that night tho great abboy ot Montblanch, with Us garni ture of stall and chapel, carven reredos and painted picture, went blazing to tho skies. At such times men knew no half meas ures, drew no fine distinctions, For, es pecially In Spain, revolutions wero never yet effected with a epray of roscwater. The great order of Our Lady of Montblanch, which had ondurrd a thousand years, per ished In ono day for tbo vengeanco ot Luis Fernandez and tho madness ot the priest, Anselmo. Hut In the sacristy ot a llttlo chapel by tho gate, sate from tha spoilers' hand, but lit Irregularly by tho bursting flames, and to which tho wild cries of thu Iconoclasts pvneratcd, Concha sat nursing Hollo. From tlmo to tlmo ho would dozo off, nwnklng with a start to find his hand clasped in thnt of his betrothed. Her car was very near his Hps, and when he wan dered sho soothed him with the tender croonlngs of n mother over n sick child, moaning and cooing over htm with lnartlcu lato lovo, her hands n hundred times lifted to caress him, but ever1 fluttering nsldo lost they should nwako tho beloved from his re pose. "Who la It?" he said once, moro clearly than usual, yet with some remains ot tear in his eyes very pitiful to see. "It Is I-Conchn." Ah, how soft, how tender at such times n woman's volco can bo, Tho wind In tho barley, the dovo calling her mate, tho dis tant murmur of n sheltered sea these are not one-half so sweet. The angels' voices about tho throne they aro not bo human. Children's voice nt piny they havo known no sorrow, no sin. They aro not so divine. "It is I Concha!" "Ah, beloved, do not leavo mc they may come again!" "They cannot. Tboy aro dead!" Keen ns tho clash of rapiers, triumphant ns trumpets sounding the charge, rang the voice that was erstwhllo so soft, so tender. "All tho samo, do not lenvo me! 1 need you Concha!" Who would havo believed thnt this swift nnd resolute Hollo, this firebrand ndven turer of ours, would havo been brought so low or so high. But his words wero bet ter than nl sweet singing In the cars of Concha Cnbczos. Sho clasped his hand tightly nnd smiled. Sho would havo spoken, but could not, "Ah, I knew you would 'not leavo me!" ho murmured, turning a llttlo toward her. "It was foolish to ask." Then he was silent for a moment, nnd as sho settled his bead moro easily on nn ex temporized pillow ho glanced toward (he closed shutters ot tho llttlo sacristy. "When will tho morning pome?" ho asked wearily. For answer Concha threw open tho door nnd tho ncw-rlscn sun ehono upon his pale faco. , "The morning Is hero," she said, with all the glory of It In her eyes. CIIAI'TKH 1 Avo Cniirlui Impcrntrlx! Thus ended, tho princely abbey nnd Its Inmates. And so It stnnds unto this day, a desolation of chnrred beams, desecrated altars, flro-scurrcd walls, roofless ond o'er grown, to witness If I He. Tlmo hnth scarcely yet sot Its least finger-mark upon It. Under the white-hot southern sun, and in that dry, upland air, Montblanch may remain with scarce a change tor many a hundred years. Ezqucrra's hnmmor strokes are plain on tho stoucs. Tho crowbar holes wherewith Sarrla drove out tho flagstones over tho torture chamber onco called tho placo of tho holy ofllco theso any man may seo who chooses to Journey thlthor on mule back. Jolting tartann or by tho plain song ofllco of heel nnd toe. As to tho brethren they had bud, thanks to Hollo Blair, duo and sufficient warning. Tlioy had mounted their white mules and ridden over tho mountains Into Franco by a secret way long sottlcd upon nnd laid with friendly relays of food and equipage. In a southern province far from tho vil lage of Sarrla there is a whlto houso with sentinels beforo It. They do not slouch as they walk nor loan bent-backed against a Pillar when nobody Is looking, as Is the wont of Spnnlsh sentries elsewhere. It Is tho houso ot tho governor ot tho onco tur OK. A. D. bLAKI.lvS, le Mast Itelluble Hprctiillst la D ot Men, 6 Tit ICTURE Cured with a new Horn treatment. No pain, no dotcntlon from business, , llRINARYf.mnoy and Blcdder Troubles, Weak Back, Burning Urine, Frequency ot Urinating, Urine High Col bred or with milky sediment on standing. CVDUII in cured for life and OTtnilal8 poison thoroughly tleanscd from the system. Soon every llgn and symptom disappears completely Ind forever. No "BREAKING OUT" of the disease on tbo skin or face, Treatment contain no dangerous drugs or Injurious bedlclnot, WEAK MEN from Excesses or vic tims of Nervous De illlty or Exhaustion, Waiting Weakness, with early decay In young and mlddle ged, lack of vim, vigor and strength, tvlth organs Impaired and weak. Cure tuaranteod. CURES GUARANTEED CHARGES LOW bulent province of Valuncln. The governor Is ono General Hlnlr, duko ot Castellon del Mar and hatted grnndco of Spnln, but ho Is known from Murcla even to Tarragona ns Don Hollo. For ho has cleared tho south ern countries of Cnrllsts, put down tho red republicans of Valencia and Cartagena with Jovial Rood humor, breaking their heads af fectionately with his stout oak staff when thoy rioted. They had been accustomed to bo shot m batches nnd rather resented tho chnngo nt first, ns reflecting on their seri ousness. However, they havo grown to un derstand the firebrand general nnd to like him. Usually they favor him with a pri vate message n day or two beforo they in tend to mnko a revolution. Whereupon Hollo goes himself Into tho woods and cuts himself a new stick of satisfactory propor tions. In this manner ho has survived nn ndbl cation, two dictatorships nnd n restoration with undiminished credit, holding his prov ince easily nnd asking from Madrid neither reinforcements of soldiers nor of money. His wife Is not receiving today, but In English fashion thcro aro a few friends who drop In for dinner, habitues of tho house, beloved comrades ot Don Hollo's, with whom (for tho Scnorn Concha Is tho old Concha still) his wlfo flirts n little, chats a great deal and gives them tho best ndvlco In return for boundless admiration nnd do light In her beauty and wit. "Dolores," sho says to a friend who has arrived nnd sits patiently folding her llttlo hands on n sofa, "It wns pretty of you to ronio In such, n lovely gown Just to plrnso theso poor old bachelors. Here, Etlenne, hold tho bnby, and bo sum not to drop him, sir. There what did I tell you! You have mado him cry! Monster! Well, he shall be sent nwny, sweetest pet, that ho shall! Ho is n buffnlo of tho marlsma, a tiger of tho Jungle, nn ogre out of n storybook that ho Is, sweetest! There, La Glratda, take tho darling nwny! Oh, and glvo him but stay I will come, too, clso tho llttlo villain mny howl till midnight." Sho continues to talk quickly as she goes to tho door. "What n voice Just llko his father's when ho Is In tho placo of nrms and tho men do not please him! There, swectost (she goes behind tho curtain), thero!" And, contented, tho young innn stills that parado volco of his Into gentlo murmur lngs llko those of n bco within tho bell of a flower. Presently a tall young mnn comes strid ing In, In n plain uniform with tho starred shoulder straps of tho highest rnnk. Be hind him Is a broad-chested, deed-bcarded veteran, his chest blazing with decorations, Tho younger man, whoso hair gives prom lso of early threads of gray, enters with Bwlft Impetuosity, dnshlng u chnnco servi tor out of tho way and opening tho Inner door ns If a gust of wind had been rioting through tho corridors. "Whero Is Concha?" ho crlc3, as soon ns be enters. "Hero!" replies a voice, n llttlo muffled, It is truo, from a neighboring room. "No stay whero you are! I shnll bo back In a moment." ,"Ah, Etlenne John, how nro you? Havo thoy given you any breakfust? Etlenne, any moro loves? Thero nro four pretty girls in tho Plaza Vlllurasa. I saw them on tho balcony ns I rodo through with tho Sngunto regiment tho other day" "Trust him for that!" comes the volco from behind tho curtnln. "My Lord Duko," says Etlcnno In a mas-tor-of-ccromonle8 voice, "so long as I am permitted dolly to gazo upon tho beauty of your Jncomparablo wife, how can this heart turn from that to tho admiration of any meaner object?" "What nonsense Is ho talking now?" usks Concha, returning demurely. "I know nt least threo girls of this city of Valencia who have tho' best reusons for oxpcctlng M. de Saint Plerro to make proposals for the honor of their hnnds. Hut what can you ex pect of such n wrotch?" "Well, Master Etlenne," says Hollo, "you will now havo a chnnco to forget Mistress Concha nnd ranke some fair Cantlllan happy. For I must send you Immediately with theso dispatches to Madrid. You will stay a week and return with tho answers. Thnt will glvo such a lady killer ampla tlmo to bring matters 'to a head with tho most hard hearted of tbo sonorltns of tho capital." "Ah," sighs Etlenne, kissing a hand to Concha, ns he appeared to take his leave, "your husband wrongs mc. Ho who hath so much misjudges mo who hnth so little! Truly, I shall soon be able to say, turning about tho old catch: My soul Is In Valencia, My body Is In Madrid! "Well, John, this is great seeing," Bald Rollo, when Etleuuo had departed to sec about horses nnd an escort, "what in tho world has brought you hither? Surely your father cannot want you to mnko nnothur 1,000 In order that you may havo tho right to attend hlb twirling spindles from 8:10 overy morning to 6:30 ovory night?" "Oh, I am a partner, now," Mortimer an swered, "oven though my father Insisted upon pocketing every penny of tho prollt on tho Abbot's prlorato. Strict roan ot business, my father! Ho eald It would teach me In tbe futuro to be spry about getting my goods shipped. And when I explained bo only snld that what had been posslblo for him here In England, sitting at case In his armchair, ought to hnvo beon possible for mo on tho spot and with money In my pocket." "And what did you do?" asked nollo. smiling. Dr. SEARLES & SEARLES OMAHA, NEB. SPECIALISTS FOR DISEASES OF MEN Tho Secret of Our Unparalleled Success is Told in Two Words: ..WE CURE.. Varicocele, Acquired Blood Poison, Nerv ous Debility and all Keflex Complications and Associate Diseases and Weaknesses of Men. VARICOCELE Are you afflicted with Varicocele or Its results Nervous Debility and are yH nervous, Irritable and despondent? Do you lack your old-time energy and ambition 1 Are you suffering from Vital Weaknees, etc.? There Is a deraagement of the sensi tive organs ot your Pelvlo System, and even though it gives you no trouble at prat ent, It will ultlmatoly unman you, depress your mind, rack your nervous aystera, uu fit you for married life and shorten your existence. Why not be cured befere It If too late? WE CAN CUHE YOU TO STAY CURED, We have yet to see the case el Varicocele we cannot euro. Medicines, Electrlo Belts, etc., will never cure. You need expert treatment. We treat thousands of cases where the ordinary physician treats one. Method new, without cutting, pain or loss of time, "Well, nt any rate, I struck him for i commission, on having secured the order, nnd the convent onions wero good for tbo rest. So, now I nm a partner in tho firm, with n good quarter Interest." "And what ore you doing here? Morp onions?" laughed his friend. John blushed nnd looked down upon tho carpol. They had n enrpet nt the gov ernor's houso though In her heart Concha, always wants to have It up when any ono comes, lest thoy should tread upon It, "No," ho said, slowly; "tho fact Is, I think you spoiled mo a bit for staying at home, for mill hours nnd that sort of thing. So, nuw I nm to be foreign agent and buyer. I've been taking lessons la tho language and It )ou can put any busi ness In my way I shnll bo glad." Hollo took blm to tho window by tho arm. "Do you seo thoso fellows?" ho de manded. As he spoke ho pointed to a detail ot tha wliy lltilo Vnleclan soldiers In their whlto. undress blouses nnd brngas. "Now, John," he went on, "I can't get stult hero that won't tear tho first time they do the goose-step or oven enoezo ex tra hard. Tho contractors nro thloves. every man, Jack. What can you do for mo? t havo 20,000 of theso fellows and lots moro coming on, down In tho liuertaa and rlco fields." "Heavens," cried John Mortimer, "this la nn brder, indeed. Walt. I will let you know my best posslblo In a moment." And ho pulled out n notebook crammed with fltutres. "I can glvo you very good terms. In deed, ho said, nftor n moment. Coneha Jumped to her feet nnd clapped her hands. "Oh," sho cried. Joyously, "and I know fecnor do Mcndln, tho bend of tho customs. And, oh, Hollo, you nnd ho can arrange nil nbout getting It through, nnd all my dresa stuffs ns well. It will bfl nit0 n addi tion to our Incomo If Don Juan sells you the stuff cheap." For an Instnnt Hollo looked a little Indig nant nnd thon went up to his wife and kissed her. "My dear," ho snld, "you can nevor under stand. Wo don't do theso things In our country." At which John grinned Incredulously. "I hnvo dono business In Glasgow," ha said, suggestively. "At nny rate," said Rollo, nettled, "I don't do them." Hero Concha pouted adorably nnd kicked a footstool with her slippered too which certainly wns not doing her nny hBrm. "I am suro we aro very poor," sho cried. "I wish thnt wretch Eznuerrn. whom hw havo mado u general of, had slvon us much, moro than ho did. I think you should write to him, Hollo." "Bolter keep In with Ezqucrrn," laughed tho governor, "you nnd I nro rich enough, Conchn, and baby shall havo an Ivory ring to cut his teeth upon. You shnll havo one now dress a ycur and there nro always enough vegctnbleH In tho gardon with which to toss up a salad. Oh, wo shall live, spoilt one, wo shall llvel" And ho klsBcd her, not heeding tho oth ers. "But why must wo keop In with Ez qucrrn?" snld Concha, still unsatisfied, "he was an executioner onco.'1 "Well," said Hollo, "tho fellow has been nt his old trade ogoln. It snoms. Ho may bo dictator nny dny now. Thoy say he has ended tho war In tho north murdered fourteen of his own brother generals and bought fourteen of tho other side. Bravo, Ezquerra, I always know ho would do some thing In tho Hno old stylo ono of these days! But fourteen ut a tlmo Is epic, oven for Spain!" "And so tho wnr Is ended well, that Is nlwaya ono good thing, anyway!" said Con cha, careless of tho means. "Come. Dolores, let us go and look at the babes. Theso peoplo want to talk politics. They don't want us. It's easy to seo thnt!" So, taking tho arm ot Dolores Garcia (who had glanced onco at her husband when ho enmo In and never looked at hlra again), llttlo Concha walked to the door sedately, as became n mntron and tho wlfo of a gran dee. Then, In hor old flashing manner, shs turned about swiftly, and from her finger tips blew tho company a dainty, collective Itlss. Tho curtain closed, leaving tho three men all stnrlng after her. But In another momont It was put aside and Concha's pretty head peeped out. "Hollo," she snld softly, "you can come up when you llko when you havo quite finished your politics Just to look at baby. Ho has not seeti you since morning!" (Tho End.) Mrs. T. Brlddlomnn of Parshnllvllle, Mich., wns troubled with salt rheum for thirteen years and had tried a number of doctors without relief. After two applica tions of Banner Salvo her hands became hotter and In a short tlmo she was entirely cured. Beware of substitutes. A Coiislilrrulc Kntlier-ln-Lnir. Clovcland Plain Dealer: "Yes," snld Mr. Cumrox, "I havo given my daughters every ndvnntnge." "I suppose they are very highly cul tured." "I should suy so." "And ihcy will be liberally dowered." "Yes, sir. When I think of tbo way a mnn who marries ono of thoso girls will be criticised In -his grammar and deportment it strikes mo that he ought to bo dealt with In tho most goncrous spirit." Con.ultnlinn Frra, Treatment by mail, Call ot- mlclr.se 110 9. 14th at. DM, SBAItLKS SEARI.K9, OMAHA,