0
0
The Firebrand.
By S. R. CROCKETT.
SyiuiliftU of I'rrccilliiK (.iiitptcrn.
Ramon Onrcln, known ns 101 Harrla, hav
ing born Induced to believe that his wife,
Dolorrit, Ih unfaithful, stubs a villugo fon,
Rafael Mores, whom he; llnds presumably
Kissing Dolores through tho window, IIIh
estates are confUcntod anil he becomes a
iiiMii-ii man. inn damn Iltnn 11 vniinu
tho whitewashed portress' lodge of the
House of the tnnocenls. Then after five
minutes Itamon kissed the little puckered
face of his son and each of tho dimpled
fnt. rrrl hnmla tinM an Hphllv clnnnhn.t
and laid him on tho revolving Iron platp of
THE OMAHA DALLY rEK; Sl'MMT, ATdUST 1, 1901.
Hcotch adventurer, Hollo I lllalr . eomVs to 1 10 e"vcniul turnstile. Without a creak
Spain, and during an Inn quarrel Is aided ' 'I'0 njtel turned, and In n moment moro the
IIV Jnlln Mrtrtti..,,. .... i.-...ii..i.. rru- I ..um. . .. .... , ,... ... .
.. ---- i-iiMiiniuunii. i if; iiiiii hub mi wie arum ui jioiy (jnurcn.
two start t(l Visit Dun It'illiiaur ,,M, r ... . . .. ' uuk.ii,
mistery of .SlonttVlanVh liiatr and "eHS""l,y represented tor ino nonce by the
r are entertained lavishly liv the , vcrv "ocular charms of little Concha Cn-
aild meet KtllMinr. HI tHnrrn. .1 hrn
the. mona
Mortimer
llliriMI. 1,1,1 InM.I ll. ...
v.,. . i i-4111-iiiie ni. 1'irrre, a , uvtiin.
orderV: ThesV. thre... 'J.!, 7."' fZ Then a word or two was spoken. Con-
has found protection at tho monastery, arc chil 101,1 the outlaw how, by a letter pur.
ni.V.i , 1 "y. 5"" V."".01 .l" capture th porting to como rrom h rase f, forged by
?. Tiri'' ttln dau hter In th-. Don I(R 0r his brother, iminri. y.,TLl
interests ,,ftho:i;rel.:Mr:nrou;;:.foV I "on. , . r . I)0,0rC8 ha1 bcen
camp of Cabrera, the r'arllst general, they I "'"Vised to put herself under the protection
pass tho home of Hi Sarrla. who learns that of his beloved friend Don Luis Fernandez
Dolores was not fn so to him mid Hint hl i.....i.. .. .. . cran'ioz
downfnl vyas plotted by nil Fernamlni. h""1 'A, , ?, . nU0 101,1
Dolores Is Imprisoned In f.uls- homo ntul the ' nm ,nc ,nlllnr "ad found an excuse to send
J!?!!..'.". w,."m! Kl'e has Just Riven birth Is I her from tho houso In disgrace and how for
nbottt to be bur ed n vn bv I.iiIm1 l.rnll.cr. W .n .. ... , r
nbout to be burled olive by huts' brother,
iuwiuK, wnen ki Harria rails upon him
(Copyright, 1MI, by S. It. Crockett.)
CIIAPTKIt XIV,
The Holy liiiKieciils,
With small cntnpunctlon III Sarrla turned
Don Toraas over with IiIh foot nnd coolly ap
propriated tho clonk he lind discarded, as
also his headgear, which was banded with
gay colors nnd of tho shape affected by tho
dandles of Seville.
Then swinging the cloak about him and
setting tho hat upon his head Jauntily, ho
strode to the garden door.
Abovo he could hear tho angry voice of a
woman, with Intervals of silence, as If for
a low toned Inaudible reply. Then a wall
of despair and grief that nenrly sent him
up tho stairs nt a tlgcr'a rush, that would
have scattered his enemies before him llko
chaff. For It was the volco of I1I3 Dolores
he heard for tho second time. Hut of lato
El Sarrla had learned porno of tho wisdom of
caution. He know not the force Luis might
have within tho house, nnd ho might only
lose his own llfo without benefiting either
Dolores or his son.
Then there was a slow foot on the stairs
coming down. Tho light went nut nbovo
and ho heard n heavy breathing behind tho
closed door by which ho stood.
"Tomns Tomas!" said a volco, "hero Is
tho brat. It Is asleep. Do It quietly so that
the mother may not bo alarmed. I cannot
stir without her hearing mo and asking tho
reason."
And In tho arms of Hnmon Garcia was
placed tho breathing body of his llrst-born
son. Tho door was shut boforo ho could
move, so astonished ho waB by tho softness
of that light burden, that Tla Elvira's un
nraulatcd groin escaped safe for that tlmo
which, Indeed, afterward turned out to bo
just as well.
So ot tho door of his enemy EI Sarrla
stood dumb and stricken, tho babo In his
arms. For tho fact that this child that was
his and Dolores' annihilated for tho mo
ment even revenge from his soul.
Hut a hand was laid on his shoulder.
"Hasto thco, haste," hissed tho witch
wife, La Oiralda, Elvira's friend and rival,
"hna thou smitten strongly? She lies bo
. hind the door. I cannot hear her breathe,
so all must bo well. I saw thco stoop to
tho blow. Well dono, well done! Hut
como away, come away! Presently Don
luis will miss tho Tla and glvo tho alarm.
Glvo rao tho babel"
But this Ramon would not do, holding
Jealously to his own.
"What can you, a man, do with a babo?"
aho porslstcd. "Can you stop Its .mouth
from crying. Is thero milk in your breasts
to feed Its llttlo blind mouth? Olvo It to
me, I sayl"
Nay," said El Sarrla, shaking her off,
not to you. Did not this murderous woman
como from your wagons? Is not her place
unner your canvas?"
"It shall be so no more, If your stroke
provo true," said tho gypsy. "I shall bo tho
queen and bring tip this youngling to bo tho
uuiuvai norscimer betwixt this filthy Ara
gon and tho gypsy barrio of Granada, where
La Glralda's cavo dives deepest Into tho
rocK.
"No, I will not!" said tho man, grasping
tho babo so tightly that it whimpered and
strotched Its little body tonso as a bow
string. "I will take him to the hills nnd
sucklo him with goat's milk! Ho shall be
no horsothlof, but a lighter of men!"
"Ah, you nro an outlaw a lad of tho
hills? I thought so," chuckled tho woman
"como away quickly. Then, brnvo man
slayer, I knew a hotter way than cither.
Tho sisters, tho good womon of tho con
vent, will take him at a word from mo I
know tho night watch-a country woman of
mine, llttlo Concha. Sho will rccclvo him
through tho wicket and guard him well
being well paid, that is, as doubtless your
honor can pay!"
"Wliat, llttlo Concha Cabozos?" said Ila
mon with Instant stinplclon. "was sho not a
traitress to her mistress? Was it not
through her treachery that her mistress
camo hither?"
"Little Concha-a traitress," laughed tho
old woman. "Nay-nay! you know hor not.
evidently. Sho may. indeed, bo almost
everything clso that n woman eon bo. so
her enemies say. No rinii..i ci...
Teresa Is our llttlo Concha, but, for nil
that, sho Is of a stock truo to hor salt and
on y proves fickle to her lovers. Como
quickly and speak with hor. Sho Is clcvor,
tho little Concha, and her odvlco Is good."
They passed rapidly along tho road, deep
In whlto dust, but slaked now with tho dew
nnd cool under foot. Tho babo lifted up his
volco nnd wept.
J,'."0.1".0 B!,V1 hlm 1 cn,,uot ri' away
with him If I would," said tho gypsv. "You
moy keep your hand on my arm, "it only
you will but glvo him mo!" y
And tho gypsy woman lifted tho llttlo
puckered features to her cheek and crooned
and chucked until tho child gradually
soothed Itself to sleep face down on
shoulder.
"How came Concha at the hm. t
nuns?" said Ilamon.
"That you must ask herself." answered
tho woman; "some quarrol It was. Luis
Fernandez nover loved hor. He wished hor
out of tho house from tho first. Hut hero
we arc!
Tho gypsy woninn u'.ini .1 1 .. .. .
.m ',ot ftml wn,8P"',,l through tho turn.
stiio. n,ero wn n ,m Klu wlhln w
turned up ' ft8 " a lnnip I,a'1 becn
side10 Wman 8tt!''le'1 buclt to E Sarrla's
"Tho llttlo Concha Is on duty." oho whis
pered. "Go, thou, up nnd speak with hor!
Nay tako tho child If thou art so Jealous
of him. I would not have stolen tho boy.
Had the nationals not killed El Sarrla 1
nnd said that thou wore tho man!"
Ramon took the babo awkwardly.
"At any event thou nrt a bravo lighter "
sho murmured, "and cracked that evil
doing Tomas" skull for hlm to a mnrvol.
Thou shalt have all tho help La Glralda can
Bh'o thee!"
Ramon, with tho babo In his arms, put
his head within and spoke to Concha. A lit
lie cry, swiftly checked, camo forth from
his
her needlework nnd skill In lino broidery
Bho had been received at tho convent of the
iioiy innocents, how Manuola from tho
priest h nouso and this gypsy wise-woman.
u.i liiura, nnd watched over Dolores
ever since, not allowing her to hold any
cuinimimcHiiou with tho outside world, nnd
c,iucmny wun tier former waiting maid.
Ihen enmn the news of your death," sho
continued, "and after that tho guard upon
juiurcs wns redoubled and tl ton cht I
bavo heard nothing. Hut tho babe shall bo
raic nan unknown here among tho sisters
iei ior ino luturcs snko glvo mo somo
lOKen tnnt you may claim him by. All
such things aro entered I
. "... .io tiuh
urougni wun a child."
EI Sarrla tiassed within Mm
golden wristlet his mother h
, . - n ' - iiti
at his first communion, when he was the
hest and most dutiful bov In nil nrpin n.,.i
iiem uy tno priest to be a pattern communl
cant.
"Can you not stny another twenty-four
miuia in snrriar- asked Conchn. "If so,
wo must try to bring your Dolores whore
sho will bo os snfo ns thn child."
"I would stay a jar to preserve from
narm n nnir or hor head I who havo
wrongoii tier!
"Ah," sighed Concha through the wicket,
n sno Know nil about unworthy sus
melon on the part of lovers, "men nro like
that. They are ready to suspect tho most
lining aim ino most Innocent, but
womon fcrglvo them!"
Then pouting her pretty red lips tho lit
tlo Concha spoko low in tho car of El Sar
ria a while. After five minutes of this
wiiispcrcti colloquy, sho added nloud:
1 111:1 wo win proceed. Oo, do your
run. ou may trust La Glralda.
quickly. YOU lliav hnvn mnnh in .n
And llttlo Concha snapped to tho shut
ier 01 me wickoi in ills face.
MUCH tO dO. Yes. It wnq (run
with Dolores In tho power of his falso
friend, Luis, nnd tho evil hnrr Tin Ma
gentlemen to nttend upon nt their Inn nnd
1110 gravo digger lying with n broken head
In tho garden, EI Sarrla might bo sold to
novo nau somo nrlvntn bus noon
hands. And this. too. In addition t
affairs of state tho abbot's commission, his
own outlawry and tho eaual eortnlntv nt
his being shot Whether hn foil Intr. hn
nanOS OI tno MlOUClCtS Or Of thn nntlnnnt
soldiers.
Yet, In spite of all these, never nlnno thn
ovll night of his first homo-coming to Sarrla
nau no Deon so happy as when he rotrnced
his way In comnanv with La rsirnbin in thn
direction of tho millhouso.
And as ho wont, thinking no thought savo
of Dolores and his love, suddenly tho only
man wno would havo dared to cross
path stood before hlm.
"Ah, sirrah," cried Rollo. tho Scot.
this your service? To run to tho country
with women and not oven to havo tho
sense to chooso a pretty ono? What mean
you by this negligence, doe of Onllleln?"
"I attend to my own affairs," answered
namon, with a sullen nnd boding quiet;
tho favor to co about vours."
Hot-blood Rollo leaped unon him without
word, taking tho older and stronger man
ai unawares with his young lltheness. Ho
saw Ramon's fingers moving to tho knlfo
In its Sheath bv his shin. nut nrn thnv
could reach it his hand was on tho giant'
wrist and his pistol at his car
"A linger upon your Albacoton and von
die!!' cried Hollo. "I would havo you Gal
legans learn that tho servant Is not greater
man 111s lord.
Now Ramon know that not his life, but
that of Rollo, hung on a hair. For ho was
conscious that LI filrnbln's knlfn wno. l.nrn
and that that lady was simply choosing her
opportunity. If Rollo had been older most
likely Hnmon would havo waited motionless
for Glralda's thrust and then turned tho
voune man under IiIr hi'pl. nrnnlmlv ni hn
had dono to tho grave digger earlier In tho
nignt. uut as tney rorto from tho abbey ho
had' admired the vnuntr fellnw'n irnllnnt
bearing and perhaps heard 11I30 of his flout
ing oi nis own .Mtqucuic enemies nt tho
Inn of San Vicente. So for this tlmo ho had
pity upon him.
"Stand back. Glralda!" ho commanded.
Then to Hollo he said: "Forgive my scorn
ing negligence, sonor. It wns only seeming.
The honor of my wlfo nnd tho llfo of my
child nro at stake. I am Hamon Onrcln. thn
outlaw, whom you saw fall upon tho altar of
tno Abbey or .Montblanch. This Is my homo.
My wlfo is hero nnd near io death in tho
houso of mine enemy. Let these things bo
my excuse
Rollo dropped his pistol, llko n good
sportsman mcciinnically uncocking It us ho
did so. Ills generous Impulses wero as
flcrco and swift as his other naHslons.
"Tell mo nil," ho said. " 'foro God I will
ncip you nyo, boforo any king or monk on
earth. A bravo mnn In such trouble has the
nrst claim of all upon Rollo Illalr."
"And your comnanlons?" said ki Rirrln.
"I give myself no troublo about them."
cried Rollo. "Senor Mortimer will visit thn
vineyards nnd wine cellnrs tomorrow and be
nappy. Ann as ror .Master Etlcnnc, has he
not tho llttlo Concha to search for? Re
sides, oven If ho had not. ho would not be
alx hours In tho place without starting a
now love nffalr."
Then, ns thoy turned backward nloncr th..
road El Sarrla told Rollo all his tale, and
tho young Scot found himself for th nrst
tlmo deep among tho crude mother-stuff of
llfo and passion.
"And I thought that I had lived," ho said,
and looked long nt tho hugo form of tho
outlaw by his side, to whom deadly porll
was ns meat and drink, yet whom nny man
might slay and gain a reward for tho deed.
"I see It!" cried Rollo, whose quick brain
caught tho conditions of tho1 problem oven
ns Ramon wan speaking, "And If I help, my
companions will help also. I answer for
them."
"And what do you Intend to do with tho
grave-digging Fernandez?"
"Why," Bald Ramon simply, "to tell tho
truth. 1 intonded to cover him up In tho
grave ho had made, all but his head, and
lot hlm get out as best he could!"
"Appropriate" agreed Rollo. "hut nru,in
and In the circumstances not feasible. Wo'
must toko this Fernandez Imlnnm nrt...
wo havo nrranged tho garrison of tho house.
Wo will make his brother nurse hlm. I.Vn.
tornal affection was never better cmployod,
and It will keep them both out of mischief."
' And how soon, think ye, could your w.f. '
be moved''" asked Rollo,
Ramon shrugged his shoulders helplessly
and turned to La Glralda. "Dolores Is as a
dove and weak from long troublo of henrt
On your head I ask of you, could wo move
her In twenty-four hours and yet risk noth
ing of tho life?"
"Yes, ns tho Virgin neen me," asserted La
Glralda, holding up her hands, "If to be I
have tho firming of the bands nbout her
of linen, wide and strong, they must be
made to bo mlm own nfterwnrd. And
then sho must bo carried between fouri
stout men, an I shall 'show you how." I
"It shall be done," cried Rollo. "I will
find tho men, tlo you provide tho linen, El
Surrla. I will bin tnn tn tin.
tomorrow morning nnd talk with thi nttin
-oiicnn.
"You Will not he nrlmlttn.l " ail,t t n nl.
aiua somewhat scornfully, "the mother cm
pcrior is most strict with all within tho
walls."
"Hut I shnll nsk for tho mother superior,':
tnld tho modest youth, "and, gad, If 1 only
got six quiet minutes of the old Indy. I war
rant sho will refuse mo nothing to the half
of her kingdom. Meantime, hero wo nro!
Is It not so?"
Tho huge black circle nt thn milt ..i,i
rose beforo them aealnat thn whit
tho unwlndowetl wall. They could not sen I
. h ul 1 1 t . ... "
inu nun nouso itdoir rrom this point and
they halted beforo eolrnr further, in
to make their dispositions.
Hhat wo are going to do Is not strictly
within tho letter of tho law." explained
Hollo, chcerfullv. "but it i n, t
Km num. 1 can
mink of and containing n it
mcnts of Justice.
solution to nil nartlcs. if thn.n i..
gentlemen kidnap other men's wives, dcvlso
... ui muir cniKircn nmi strive to i
IinVn Inn mnn , . . .. 1
' uvii Luuit.nt'i vi'H e nnr iiiim m.
- - - - - wii-j lull-
not complain of n little Illegality. This Is
, " " ,u' l "'"si Do ours for twen-
ty-four hours no morn, nn Tl,... i.
. .va. i HUH, 11
no accidents hannrn. wn in .. .
a .... ,v,ul ii- iu
Senor Luis Fernandez. All set? En nv..nt
then!"
And with Rollo In th
owing n little behind and La Glralda bolt-
inn mo ciooru and generally protecting thu
rear, tho party of possession went upward
Into tho mill hoilsn to arnm thn ..,..
with Senor Luis nnd his friend, Tin Elvira.
These worthy people, however, were not
In tho sick chamber of Unl ntnu r.n.nl.
------ u VltKim,
which, on the whole, was Just ns well. At
nn earlier part of tho night tho Tla had
administered to Dolores n potion which
caused her to sleen smindtv
hours. For the Tla was skilled In simples,
ns well as in a good many things of it na-
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D
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m
win nnd mo by no means ungrateful. Rut
come, let us get this matter settled, nnd
then I must go nnd look for my drunken
gool-ror-noth nc of n hrnllmr vhn I,..
doubtless stolon tho key of tho wine cellar i
nnd Is nt his old tricks ngnln
Well, nt nny rate, I Insist unon
string of bends," said tho old woman, urord
Uy. "I havo been thinking of It all theso
days, and do not forget thnt It wns I who
wormed out of tho widow tho hiding plnco
where that cunning llttlo Concha had placed
Ramon Gartla's strong box."
"Itamon," he irled. hit volcn ut.ini, t..i
ooen tun of chuckling lnughter, rising sud
neniy to a thin shriek. "God In heaven,
itnmnn tinrc n.
And with a trembling hand be tried to
i.i
UDH illlllSUK.
tliatl "fllvn!" onl.l nnl l
nnd mechanically the miller plneed tho pa-
pern in nis nanus.
" 'Foro God, Rnmon, I thought you were
ueno: gasped tlie man
"No, friend, not dead," enmc tho answer,
nut uatnon Garcia como back In tho llcsh
wo h ... Trvv.
1831 ' 1 k;S&
turc far from slmnlo. A fnlnt clinkim
sound, as of counting money, guided Rollo
io ino spot.
ThO master Of tho houso nrn! hln "Tin"
I Bat bending over a table In tho upper hall.
or general meeting place of tho family. Tho
door which onencd off thn stnlrw.iv nn uhld,
tho visitors camo gavo a slight creak, but
uuis fernanuoz and his nssoclato woro bo
engrossed In tholr work that neither ot
them lifted his eyes.
A considerable number of trinkets of gold
and silver, articles of attlro, crucifixes and
ornaments wero spread out upon tho tnblo.
As soon ns Ramon's eyes fell upon theso
Rollo felt him grin his arm convulsively.
but the young mnn resolutely kept tho out
law behind him. Tho tlmo was not yet.
Tla Elvira was not for tho moment on
good terms with her companlou.
"Listen, Luis Fernantloz," she shld, ex
tending a pair of withered claws across tho
tablo llko tho talons of somo unclean bird,
"If you think that I am going to do your
business and run hot chances of tho Iron
necklace that has no bends, and then when
nil Is dono allow your father's son to cheat
mo out of my dues, you aro much mistaken.
If you do not deliver mo all the ornaments
her husband gavo this woman Dolores, ac
cording to your agreement, by tho chief of
tho dovlis that Inhabit the four hells, 1
will go to tho corrcgldor tomorrow and
lodge Information against you and your
brother for tho crime of child murder."
And where, think you, would you nnd ,
yourself In such n caso?" quoth Luis Fer
nandez, a cold-eyed, dark-halrcd mnn of'
10 years of ago. He fat leaning well over
tho tablo, tho moro nreclnus of thn ohlncfn
gathered between his arms. "You woro tho
nurse In attendance, mv Tin to thnt th..
Sangrado would bear witness. Ho left you
In chnrgo of tho Infant, my dear aunt. And
though times nro hard and men In offlcn nn.
believing. I still think thnt I. Luis Kernnn.
des, could command cnouuh testimony lii
this town to bring tho guilt Of cullt the
be) homo to n certain Elvlrn, tho gypsy,
whoso record at any rato Is nono of tho
best!"
"I do not seo why you want both tho
woman nnd tho goods." whined tho Tin.
Did you not say that you desired bnr to
keep nothing which would remind her of her
old llfo. And hnve not I. by my decoctions
and distillations, kept this rllly Dolurca
In a dream llko that o. t .'iid all theso
Weeks BlnCO We got rid Of thnt. Imn nt Snlnn
Concha Cabezos of Seville?"
"lou havo you have Indeed donn wi.li.
Tla," said tho man soothingly, "and vou
"Thero take It then." snld thn mnn im
patiently, nnd n heavy string of beads was
slid across tho table with a clanking noise.
"I hail not thought you so good a Christian.
Tla!"
"Oh, It Is not that." chuckled tho hag,
clutching tho necklaco llrmly. ns n starving
dog might fall on a bone, and concealing It
Instnntly beneath her skirts. "Hut each
link hath tho stamp of Sovlllo upon It the
mint stamp of Seville and will pass 'cur
rent for n good duro wherever ono may
ehanco to be. With that necklaco ono can
novor bo In wnnt."
"Well," said Luis, "tho devil fly away
with you and It. Tla! I keop nil tho orna
ments of gold let that bo understood. My
wlfo might, upon occasion, tako a yearning
for them, nnd If I had them not to clvn lim
it might bo to tho dancer of mv houso nnd
succession. So this gold .cross"
("My mother's!" brenthed Ramon hotly In
Hollo's ear.)
"This knlfo with tho hilt ton sot in hril.
Hants"
("My father's bo had it from thn
Lor' Wellington for n message ho hroucbt
hint nt Vlttorla.")
Theso trifles a nalr of carrlncs. a rlnir
of penrls, a comb for tho hair In irnld nil
theso I rcsorvo for myself."
As ho spoko ho tossed them, one after
tho Other, into a bonvv Irnn-linnnil lior
which, with chains and padlocks dlsnlnvcd.
sioou open upon tho noor.
Then a quick, loud cncltlo of laughtor
camo from Fernandoz. Ho hnd found some
thing among tho parchments.
" 'Hereby I plight thco my troth," " h"
read from n paper in his hand, 'forovcr nnd
forever, ns a truo heart and n true lover,
signed Ramon.' . This bIio has kept in a
enso in her bosom, I suppose, with tho plc-
turo ot tho oof," ho added, "nnd Is an llko
him ns It is llko St. Nlcholns, tho patron
of all thieves. And, holy Michael In tho
seventh heavens, hero Is their marriage
certificate nil complete a very treasure
houso of connubial happiness. Rut theso
need not go into tho strong box. I, Luis
Fernandez, havo inado an end of them. Tho
woman Is mine, ami so will I also make nn
end of these relics of folly."
Ho took tho papers to tear thorn across,
hut the stout parchment resisted a moment.
His brow datkened nnd ho clutched them
more securely to rend them with an effort.
Hut n slight nolso in the apartment nnd
a cry from tho Tla caused him to look up.
A knlfo was at his throat and n flgurn
stood beforo him, ouo hugo band pinning
him to his scat.
to Bottlo certain accounts with his comrndn
and brother of many years, Luis Fernandez
oi mo imn nouse or sarrla."
CIIAl'THI! XV.
Hollo Iiitt-rvrucx.
With eyes Injected, wide-open mouth nnd
dropped Jaw. tho man sat all fallen tonnthnr
In his sent, tho gold ornaments still strewed
noout mm, tno pencil with which ho had
been checking them fallen from his nervo
lcss grasp.
"I havo accounted for tho old lady," said
Rollo, who with tho eager professional as.
Blstanco of La Glralda had been gagging
und securing tho Tla.
"Stay whero you are, Luis Fernandez."
said EI Snrria sternly, as ho sat down him
self with his pistols on cither sldo of hlm.
"I ailvle you not Io movo hand or foot If
you sot any value upon your life. I havo
much to sny to you beforebefore morn
ing." And tho doomed man, recognizing the
accents of deadly Intent In hla lato friend's
voice, let his head sink Into his hands with
a uoQeiess moan.
"Meantime I will put these things In or
dor," snld tho Scot, in whoso military blood
ran tho Instinct of loot, nnd ho whb begin
ning to throw nil tho objects of value Indis
criminately into tho open chest, when EI
Sarrla checked him.
"I will only tako wimt Is mlno own and
hers," ho uald "but menntirao abide. Thero
Is much to bo said and dono first."
Then ho turned his broad, deeply lined
brow upon Fernandez, who looked into his
eyes as tho trembling criminal, hopolcss of
morcy, awaits tho black cap and tho sen
tence. Rollo hnd settled tho Tia on tho floor with
her bend on a roll of household stuffs,
which sho herself had rolled up In her cloak
for transport.
Then tho Scot stood on guard by tho door
which led to tho Btnlrcaso, his sword drawn
In his hand. Tho plcturcsnueness of the
sccno at tho tablo appealed to the play
actor In hlm.
El Sarrla hold tho documents In his hnnd
with Fernandez hnd been about to destroy
anu jvaveu tnem gently In his enemy's faco
as n klng'a advocate might with n written
indictment In a pcocb of accusation.
"You betrayed mo to tho death, friend
Lulst You revealed my hiding plnce. That
Is count tho llrst" ho began.
And tho wretched man. his lips dry and
scarco obeying his will, strove to glvo ut-
tcranco to the words, "It Is nil my brother's
uuing. i swear It was my brother!"
llali, snld El Sarrla. "do nm iri,u .
lie, Luis, being no near tho other bar whero
an must speak truth. You knew you wero
tho trusted friend. Your brnilin- ., .
and even If you wero not upon tho spot, ns
i uiougni. tnc bloodhounds wero set on tho
trail by you and by no other."
Fernandez mndn
head deeper between his hands ns If to shut
out his Judge and probablo executioner from
HIS Blglll.
"Pass, then." aald the online n,. i
so much else that it matters not whether
you were at the Devil's Con vnn or hn a.
any rate, you decovcii mv i, ....
letter purporting to be written to Dolores
Garcia by her husband"
Conchas Cabezos lies ki, n..
...in a iiur
from tho beg nnliitr. Thm ni. ....
. ,. . v ...tw ,lla lily
brother. I swear to you!" cried tho
wretclicd man In so nitifni nn ,,..,. .i...
for tho first tlmo Rollo ..! n..i
for him. " ou",
Rut there wns no cicnm nt ..it,, i.. ....
ejeo of Ramon. Intemi i. tm.i ..i.....
and toyed with It u moment thoughtfully.
Luis,' ho snld, "your brother has his
own sins to answer for. Ho a man, Luis.
,",ed nt l ho a coward as well as a
thief and murderer."
Ramon. Ramon. An i. m ...
sins! cried tho wretched ..,nn .. ...
memory of our boyhood together 'let. .no at
least receive absolution ami g0 clean."
Lven as you woni.i i,n..
the mouth of tho DevirV c any on-n s
this very night you sent forth to the holy
or the clod the vniini m.ii.i ..i.i .
jmbonlsoned. without touch" oTprlesUy
hand or sprinkling drop of holy water'
ngno!,0,,,,n,1S frlCn" f my ythf accorS:
ing to tho measure vn mi. i. ...
measured to you again. Tho barley bushel
Is good measure nlnn tnr- , ..
Hollo, standing bv tim ,inn.
over thn !PnH AV ; ""."". ",m ''nS,
... . ....oui mm accused, saw
through a window tho first croon ir,nw .
O .tn..V....1 , . ' "..w..0 u,
.."..unui iiawn, urawu livid and chill
ncross a black skv.
In quick whlsners
action upon El Sarrla. hv whiM, i, i i
n.,t .. ..... '. ' iulu IU
.v. eve anil perhaps his life for
... . man. nut ho did not advert
mm. on y to thn nrrcBiliv
- v.. .mail',
and to tho perilous stato of Dolores. This
"1S grea t argumeut. Whatever hap
peneo, sno must bo cared for. Tho matter
ui HUT ll.llion COUlll ho nrrnnn.,l l.
uhllo Rnmon sat considering ihn ,,.i..
eyes of the young Scot discovered a small
iron-raced door open nt one corner of the
chamber. Ho went across nnd pulled nsido
tho curtain which half concenlod th,, m,.
trance.
A regular strong room, bv invo!"
cried. "Hero Is evervthlnir cnmfnrinMn fn.
our friends while wo settle our other af-
xairs.
Rollo sounded all over tho stromr rnrim nt
tho millhouso for any signs of another
exit, but all was solid masonry. Resides
which tho chests of valuables and papers,
tho casks of fine Honors nntl ki,iii,.i,i
cigars proved thnt this was Intended for a
secret wall chumber In which to connnnl
tho valuables of tho houso In caso of nlnrm.
Such hiding places aro not uncommon In tho
old houses of Spain, as Rollo know, though
tills was tho first ho had seen.
"Glvo yourself tho pain of entering,
senor," ho said to Fernandez, and without
waiting for any overt permission from
Ramon he caught up the old ling, Tla
Elvira, In his arms nnd carried her, bundle
and nil, Into tho room.
"Hero I nm compelled to lenve you for
the time' being In the dark. Don Lulu." ho
snld. cnurtcoiislv. "Hot I think vnn ulll
ngreo that your stnto Is not tho loss graclouH
ior tnat. i snail return immediately and
present certain propositions for your con
sideration."
You nro an Englishman." cried Fernan
dez; "you will not stand by nnd sco n man
murdered In cold blood."
"The blood Is nono so cold that I can
see," said Rollo, shrugging his shoulders.
"I will do the best I can, senor; only do
not try my tricks with us. Tho least sign
of furtho- treachery will be fatal and wo
hnvo many friends nbout us."
SUMMER SPECIALS.
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524,75 Cleveland, 0, and return
on snio September 7 to 10.
liomeseckers' Excursio
On snio tlrst nnd third Tuesday each mnti.
Tourist Rates on snio Dait.v t ,.n
mcr resorts nllowing stop-overs nt Detroit,
..iiimiiu ruiiH, iurrnio nnd other point"!.
For rate, lake trips, I'nn-Amcrlcnn doner!,),
tlvo matter and nil Information, cull nt
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Tarli Tan- .
. " i.amc imiuj.;:
Ilwmr of nflr rnnntrrfrlt..
KUnlWVtnnAnAAAAnnM. OAW .'WVwCV'i '
ciiAi"n:it .vvi.
Dun I.iiIm Ih WIIIIiik.
So saying, Rollo went out nnd locked tho
door behind him, leaving La Glralda seated
bcsldo It with n loaded pistol to prevent
nny egresB, In case Fernandez had somo way
of nnpnintr thrt hnltu lltlnwn nnlv i ItlniLnlf
When Rollo returned from arranging these
mattora ho found EI Sarrla s plnco vacant
Rut tho young man, following tho direction
of La Glralda's nod, went out and in a
chamber about wlrtch hung a peculiar at
mosphere of drugs ho found the outlaw on
his knees by a womnn's bedside.
Tho glnnt's head was sunk on the coverlet
and his lips touched tho damp lingers of tho
hand which lay without tho sheet.
With truo reverence Rollo touched Rnmon
on tho shoulder and pointed to tho window.
Tho pnlc, unearthly green of the sky spaces
between dark purple bars of clouds was fast
(hanging to Grunge tinged with smoky scar
let. The sun would not long delay and
thero was a llttlo matter nut In tho g union
which must bo nrranged.
As Rollo anticipated, Tomas, the scape
grace, did not look handsomo as ho lay on
the unturned soil.
"Carry hlm within," ho ordered. "Wo
will attend to his caso better Indoors!"
Then Rollo, who was now thoroughly en
Joying himself "In thn grips of an ad
venture," as ho expressed It, called out:
Lay down that pistol, mother; wo shall
not need It for a while, nnd do you give mo
a band with this rascal's sore head. What
tuink you of It?"
"Tho atroko wns dealt with a strong
arm," said La Glralda, critically. "Rut yet,
unfortunately, I do not think tho man will
die unless unless" she lingered the kern
llttlo knlfo sho carried lovingly "unless
matters uro a llttlo assisted."
"Stop, mother; do as I bid you and help
mo to barho and blud up the Bcoundre! a
pate."
Tho old woman did so with nn air of pro
tost, flnallv, however, consenting to make
a plaster of certain herbs which sho found
In the cabinet of simples, and, having boiled
thorn, applied It like a turban to Don Tomas'
unconscious crown.
"Now," uaid Rollo, "If you aro ready, I in
ray turn should llko to have my llttlo Inter
view with Don Luis!"
"You?" cried tho outlaw, astonished.
Rollo nodded.
"Why not?" he said cheerfully. "Wo
shall need his assistance very often today!
Open tho door, La Glralda,"
Ramon carried tho limp body of Tomas,
at tho sight of which Luis Fernandez flung
up his hands with a shrill cry.
"You havo killed him, then as you will
kill mo!" ho moaned and ran toward tho
door of tho strong room.
"Not bo." said Rollo, stopping hlm with
composure, "your brother Is, as I think, ns
comfortnhlo as tho circumstances will per
mit, and more likely to recover than ho do-
serves. Ho good enough to tell La Glralda
whero to find a lamp or candle-box, so that
In taking enre of him you may not bo hin
dered by darkness."
As ho spoko Rollo had been arranging a
much of boxes and nltlaws. on which, with.
out tho sllghest regard to his encmy'n com
fort, El Sarrla flung his burden down.
Hut Hollo did his best for thn iincoiiRclonn
mnn'H comfort, nnd then when La Glralda
had returned with n lamp ho turned sharply
upon Don Luis.
"Sir." ho Bald, "vnn know the rntlRPR nf
quarrel between yourself and Don Ramon
Garcia, for whom I nm acting. You know
nlso v.'hut chances you havo If I do not iisii
1110 inuuonrc I possess to lounxci other mid
milder methods. Aro you, then, willing to
bo guided entirely by mo or do you prefer
Io bn dealt with bv mv nrinclnal noon bin
own account anil without regard to my ad-vim?"
Luis Fernnndez clasped Hollo's hand,
"Uy tho Virgin nnd all the saints," ho
cried, "I will do to tho lino nnd letter all
that you deslro of mo In every particular.
I know well that I havo no other hope."
"Good," said Rollo, "then you will today
show joursolt nbout tho Casn os usual. You
will glvo any necestnry orders to your fore
man when ho conies at thn npciminmn.i
hour. This you will do In your own cham
ber nnd In my presence, urging a slight
cnlcntura ns a reason for not venturing out.
You will speak to La Glralda as to your
servant, nnd. In flno. you will romport ynur
nelf us if nothing had occurred, and as If
no such man as Ramon Garcia wero within
a thousand leagues of tho mill houso of
Satrla! Do you agree?"
"I agree to anything, lo ovorythlng!" uald
Fernandoz eagerly.
"Hut remember," continued Rollo, "In of
dor to compass this I am stretching n good
many pointB. i bhw your nyo brighten Just
now when I spoko of giving orders. Now
remember. If there Is the slightest nttompt
at foul piny, wo may Indeed lose our game
and with It our lives, but first of nil. nnd
qullo Middonly. ono man shall dlo, and that
mnn Is Luis Fernandez."
Ho added this nssnveratlon:
"And this I, Rollo IHalr of Hlalr Cantlo,
In tho shlro of Fife, swear by Almighty God
and tho honor of a Scottish gentleman."
(To bo Continued.)
11