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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 6, 1901)
Iff THE OMAHA DAILY JJEJE: SUNDAY, OCTOBETl H, ujut. The Dy Synopsis of Preceding Chapter" Tlamon Onrcla. known as Kl Sarrla, hav Ing been Induced to believe that his wife, Dolores, Is unfaithful, slabs a village fop, ltafai-1 Klores. whom he finds presumably kissing Dolores through the window. His estates nre tonflJcated and he becomes a hunted man. At the ame time u young Hcotch nd venturer, Hollo Hlalr, comes to Spain, and during in Inn rju-irrel Is a "Jed by John Mortimer, an Kr.gllrhman, fne two start to visit Don Haltasar, aunot or the monastery of Montblanch. nialr arid Mortimer are entertained lavishly by the abbot, and meet Kllenne St. rlirrc. a French gallant who Is studying tor holy orders, 'ihefr thrte, with LI Sarrla. wn has four.d protection at the monastery, are comtnlshloncd by the abbot to capture, the queen recent and her little daughter In the Interests of the church. Knronle fpr the camp of Cabrera, tho Carllst general, they pass the home of i:i Barrla, who learns that Dolores was not false to him and that his downfall was plotted by Luis Fernandez. Dolores Is Imprisoned In Luis' homo and the son to whom sho has Just given birth Is about to be burled alive by Luis' brother, Tomns. when Kl Barrla falls upon him. Kl Harrla rescues his child and takes It to the Convent of the Holy Innocents, where Concha Is also staying. Then, aided by Hollo Hlalr and hlr companions, he cap tures Fernandti' home and rescues hit wife. Hlalr and his comrades, cantured by Gen eral Cabrera, cannot prove their sympathy with the Carllat cause because Hlalr was forced to leave his credentials at the eon vent as security for Dniort-s. They ate sentenced to be shot at daybreak 'on-na arrives from tho convent with credentials, nave their lives and later joins Blalrs party In search of the queen regent. Thy adventurers Wnrri that the iiuceti regent s court at Man lldefensn has scattered be cayie of the black plague arid Caruono and I.n Olralda are lent forward to rconnntT They learn that a band of gypsies are plan ning to raid the castle, rind Hollo hastens to the rescue tit th ront party. Hollo arid party barrlcjdc the palace, res si th Kypslcs, who succeed, however. In cap turlnr thi- I'rlt.cess Isabel Hollo rescues Isabel and starts with her for the hermit ugi which Is threatened by gypsy brigands, and bodies of plagu'; victims arc posted as sentinels, Hollo, aided by Concha, restores the princess to the iiuecn, and Is betrothed to Concha, (Copyright, 1901. B. B. McClure Co.) CirAITI'.lt M,. (Con till iM.-d.) And tho girl stood before him almost era his voice bad ceased to echo alone the corridors. Silent she waited his pleasure. For this time It was not Hollo, upon whose love for her tho new sun had risen, who bad called her, but Colonel Hollo Hlalr, the chief of the expedition of which sho was an Insignificant part "You are armed?" he queried, as she fol lowed him within the door, and her quick eyes took In the scene. The girl nodded a little resentfully. Surely It was a superfluous question. An Andaluslan maiden, whose lover's llfo Is In danger every hour, always gees armed. "Then," said Hollo, firmly, "you will ac company this gentleman to tho apartments of tho queen regent. You will permit htm ten minutes' private conversation with her majesty lu your presence. You will then accompany him back. During his absence ho Is not to lay his hand upon auy weapon, have any personal contact with the queen or open any drawer, cabinet or case of arras. Also, be Is to return with you as soon as you Inform blrn that the time al lotted Is at an end. Here Is my watcbl" "And If the tenor should rcfuso to comply with any of these demands?" suggested Concha. "He will not refuse," answered Hollo, "but If the thing should happen, why, you havo full discretion. You understand?" Concha nodded, and her Hps, ordinarily so sweet and yielding, firmed themselves with determination. She understood. So did Munoz. "You do not need to say more," she said, clearly, "I am an Andaluslan!" Hollo turned to Muuoz. "You have heard," he said, "treachory will do you no good and may. Indeed, sud denly deprive her reigning majesty of tho Inestimable conoolatlon of your companion ship. Ho good enough to accompany thin young lady, sir. In ten minutes I shall expect your roturn with n favorable answer. Permit them to pass, Don Hamon!" Hut tho consort of Queen Hcgent Maria Cbrlstlua fingered his chin uncertainly without moving and Hollo's brow darkened ominously, whllo tho sergeant began to look hopeful, Neither wore In the mood to put up calmly with any refusal or hesi tation. "I am quite willing nay, oven anxious to oblige you," said Munoz. "I would gladly undertake the commission, but I" Ho stopped as If searching for words, till, 'however, rubbing his chin. "HUt what?" thundered Hollo. Tho blood of tho fighting Hlalrs was rising. "Well, to put the matter plainly, I have Buvof appeared beforo her majesty In this Condition beforo. You would not have rno jo as I am?" "In what condition?" cried the Scot In great astonishment. "Unshaven and with my hair undressed. That Idiot thera (pointing to tho trembling valet) split tho water Just when you came In." "Nay." "laughed Tlollo, much relieved that there wast to hi) no sbeddlpg of blood, "In deed you must forgive him "for that. Kl Barrla there Is entirely to blame. And on this occasion I trust that her most Catholic majesty will pardon the Informality of your appearance. You can point out to her us the ambassador of others who were some what ovcreaniest In persuading you. 1 am siiro that my two friends hern will short with in i) the very serious responsibil ity of your unshaven chin." "That 1 shall not fall to represent to hur majesty," said tho duke, bowing Iraperturb ably. And without any further objections ho went out, followed by Concha. And that young woman, with all that weight of re sponsibility, swelling In pride under the crossed folds of her rebozo, did not vouch safe; even so ration an a glance at Hollo but i assrd her commanding otllcer with eyes like thono of a rear-rank man on pa rade, fixed Immovably on the broad back of Senor Muuoz. As soon as llioy were alone, however, she moved up" alongside, flngorlng her pistol butt significantly. Tor this little Concha was quite resolved to use her discretion to the uttermost, should any treachery be Intended aye, or even tho ap pearance of It. During their ubauuee the remaining quur let In tho chamber of Don Fernando Munoz jbold their ground without a went of mutual converse. Hollo stared out of tho window nd listened to the Hlancilnp; of doors and tbo far-away murmur of voices In the di rection of the royal apartments. , In. a straining silence, acute, nlmobt to breaking point, .thoy waited. , Y,et some thine of the epic's argument came to thorn even at that distance a shrill woman's voice vehemently debating, then a bass, mutter of maicullno nrgument, a quick stamp, distinctly feminine, upon tho floor, then tho ulummlng of a door und im the bark of that the sound of returning foot steps. "The queen refuses to receive you,, I am sorry to Inform you, grntlcmeu," snld the duke. "That 1 did my best, this woman will hear mo witness, nut having hud no opportunity of private conference with her 1 8 Firebrand. S. R. CROCKETT. majesty I was unable (as, Indeed, I antici pated), to effect anything to the purpose," Hollo turned to Concha without wasting words on bis former ambassador. "Hcturn to the queen's chamber," he said, "and Inform her majesty that we will wait her pleasure here for another ten mlnurs. And, If by the end of that time e are not honored by a visit from her majesty, we shall most reluctantly and with all respect be compelled to shoot Senor Fernando Munoz, whoso person we hold as a hostage for her majesty's complaisance In the affair we have undertaken. We can wasto no more lime." Concha's lips became more rigid than ever. They looked as It they never would, should or could be kltscd. Juno herself, passing sentence upon the partner of great Jove's latest transgression, could not havo appeared more Inflexibly stern. Hut hc only saluted, turned on her heel like a drill sergeant, and marched out by the side door. In thteo trying circumstances tbo duke of Hlanzares showed an unexpected and wholly admirable calm. He leaned against the mantelpiece, glanced once at the or mulu timepiece with the address of a Paris maker below the winding boles and fell again to fingering his unshaven chin. He then turned quickly toward the trembling valet, who regarded him with eyes which teemed to apologize for such unprecedented circumstances. "There would havo been time to shave me, even yet," he said, "only that you were fool enough to spill the shaving water." Then, as If relinquishing hope, he sighed again and fell listlessly to regarding him telf Id tbo mirror. The sergeant muttered to himself once or twice, as It making mental note of an Important tact which be desired to remem ber. "All dandles are not cowards!" was what he web saying. CIIAl'TUft XLI. Hollo t'srs n Little IVraunnton. Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing Interest In the furze on his chin Senor Munoz had not moved. The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantel shelf was crawling round lta miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation when a noise van heard from tho direction of the quern's apartments. Tbero was a rapid gabble of tongues, a scurry of footsteps, the hissing rustle of ttlff sllk:n skirts along narrow passages and a voice which exclaimed more and more shrilly: "The murderers! Tho cowards! Surely they will never daro! Have thev forgotten that I am queen." And with these words Maria Christina of Naples burst like a whirlwind Into the room. Her long black hair streamed down her back. Her little daughter followed, a comb still In the band with which she had been struggling to take the place of Dona Susana, wbo, as beforo related, had gono to visit her relations. After these two Concha followed, In ap pearance calm and placid as the windless Mediterranean on a day of winter. Upon bis mistress's entrance the duke threw himself upon one kneo. The rest of tbo company bowed with grace or awkward uvib, according to their several abilities, but tho queen regent did not heed them. She flew Instantly to her husband and raised him In her arum. "Fernando!" she cried, "what Is this I hoar? Did they threaten to kill you If I do not grant them an Interview? Well, hero I am Ixit them slay me Instead. What havo you to say to me, gentlemen and cowards? Whut 1 have to say to you is that I hope you may not live to repent hav ing used nuch compulsion with a woman and a queen!" Hollo bowed again very low, and was about to speak when tho queen Interrupted. "And as for this hussy," she cried, turn ing upon Concha, "if I bad my way she should bo Indicted for witchcraft and burnt alive at the stake, as In the good times of tho holy office! Yet you, Fernando, for whom I dally risk my life, you defended her yes, defended her to ray very face!" "Heloved and must honored," said tho duke, soothingly, "I did but Bilggest that It would be hotter to convert the girl to make n good Christian of her" "Yes yes," cried the queen, stamping her foot, "but did you not add that In that case you would like to ho her father confessor?" "Certainly I did not, most gracious one," answered her husband, soothingly. "You mistook my meaning. All that I ald was no more than that many might be anxious to obtain tho office of father confessor, be In?, ai It were, career to take tho credit for the restoration of so notable a penitent." Hut Hollo had email patience with the bickerings of royal lovers at such n time, "I must crave your niajcsty'e strict and Instant attention," he said, suddenly drop plug all ceremony. "I will only detain you for a moment, If, as I anticipate, I recelvo your consent to what I have tho honor of proposing to you." At once thu Jealous woman froze Into a queen and fronted tho young man with a haughty stare. "Your majesty," he began, "I do not dwell upon their services of tho pant night. They aro known to you. Had It not beon for my frlcndB It Is probable that no ono cf your party would at this moment havo been left alive. .Vow, tbo day is passing and you nre no safer than you were last night It Is necessary, therefore, that you put yournclf unreservedly under the escort and protection of myself ond frlendi. Wo must leave La (Iranja at once." "Never!" cried Maria Christina, fiercely. "Am I, tho queen regent of Spain, to be tbuj badgered and commanded? I havo novcr suffered It slnco I left my fathcr'a home at Naples! A boy and a foreigner shall not be the first. My royal guards wilt assuredly bo hero In an hour at tho latest. Tho roads will bo cleared and as for you you ahull all bo safe In prison ccllu, where, for your Insolence you ought to bo lying this moment!" "Then," snld Hollo, gravely, "I deeply regret thnt I nm obliged to into tho only means that are open to me to fulfil my orders and to Induco your highness to place herself in safety," "And, pray," cried Maria Christina, In dlgnnntly, "from whom can you have orders to place, a queen of Spain In restraint?" In a moment Rollo realized that It was Impossible for him to rnveal his position as an oillcer of tho Carllst armies, but a for tunate remembrance of some words dropped ome wi nra In by tho .Abbot of Montbla stantly gave him his cue. "I act," ho said, calmly, "under the Im mediate direction of the holy father him self at whose feet, In the Vatican at Home, you shall one day kneel to ask pardon for your Bins." This unexpected reply seemed to agitate tho queen regont, who, though forced to create herself a party out of tho men of liberal opinions In her realm, was at heart like att the Bourbons, a convinced and even bigoted religionary. Hut Munoz, who had hitherto been silent, stooped and whispered something In her car. "How am I to be eonvlnccd of that''' she cried, turning on him fiercely. "1 will riot been fed and watered. Cloaks had been un believe It, even from you!" , strapped nnd laid on piles, of straw for the "1 regret." sold Hollo, "that your high- I ladles to rest upon that Is. for her eoi must be compelled to bellevo It. I'ray do mo tho honor of following my argument The boly lather Judges It necessary for the peace of tho realm, nnd you own soul's profit, that you should bo placed In a situ ation whero you may bo able to act moro In accordance with what ho knows to be your secret desires for the welfare of the church, of which he Is God's vice regent on earth." Hollo wss glad to reflect that In uttering these words he was only repeating the onerous phrases of Don Haltazar Varcla, when the abbot delivered him bis commls slonslon In his own chamber at Mont blanch. Hut the lady chiefly concerned continued obdurate. She would not budge an Inch. She professed and absolute certainty that her guard would appear In a few hours, and with them her father's confessor, who would Inform her how to reply to any genu ine message from his holiness, Gregory the Sixteenth. Further than that she could not be moved. "In that case." said the young man, "I will not conceal It from your hlgness that considerable discretion has been granted to me. Your company and that of your daughter we must have upon our Journey. It Is our Intention to place you and her In a place of safety " "To steal us to kidnap us, you mean!" cried tho queen, with the utmost Indigna tion. "Your majesty," continued Hollo. "I am not disputing about words. Our actions of last nlgbt will best explain our Intentions of this morning, nut, with respect to this gentleman," he turned to Senor Munoz as he spoke, "I have no directions either to permit or compel him to accompany us. Yet, since we must act with the great speed and secrecy, It Is clearly tmpskslble to leave hlrn behind. I am compelled, therefore, to put an alternative before you, which hav ing had an opportunity to rornark the scnor's courage, I am pained to declare. If your majesty will consent to accompany us at once and without parley Don Fer nando may do so ulso. Dut If not. since we havo not force sufllclont to deal with additional prisoners on such a Journey, It will be my unhappy duty to order the gentleman's Instant execution. A shriek from tho queen punctuated the close of this speech one of the longest that Rollo had ever made. Hut the queen, hardly yet believing In the reality of their threats, still held out. As for Munoz. he said no word until Rollo abruptly ordered him to kneel and prcparo for death. "In that case," said the ex-guardsman, "permit me to put on a decent coat. A man ought not to die In a dressing gown. It Is not soldierly!" Rollo bade the valet bring his master what ho wanted and presently the duke of Rlanzares, In his best uniform, found him self in a position to dlo with credt and solf-rcsDect. Hut so unexpected was tho nerve and rcsoluton of the queen that it was only when the duke hnd been bidden kneel down between the halves of a French window which opened out upon a balcony that Christina, flinging dignity finally to the winds, fell upon his neck and cried to her captors. "Take me whero you wsh. Do with mo what you will. Only preserve to me ray beloved Fernando." In lets than an hour the whole party was on Its way. Tho queen regent was mounted onCe oft his mind ah, then! on a whlto mulu which had been brought In I poor Hollo! And, Indeed, poor human from tbo bill pastures above Kl Mar. He- '. kind in general. How often tho wind falls hind came IMcbald Pedro's donkey, w ith a to a breeze, heat-tempering, grateful, which basket chair strapped upon Its back for the little princess, who was In high glee, hold ing Concha's hand and singing for gladness to bo dono with La Granja. Tbe sergeant and Kl Hurrla walked ono on each side of Senor Munoz, who, by suggestion of Rollo, had assumed u cout less decorative than that In which ho had proposed to make hU exit from life. In addition to tho queen's mulo and the denkey, the sergeant led a horao which was presently to be mounted by Munoz, so soon, that Is, as the rest of the party should re gain the steeds they had left behind nt the deterted farmhouse on the hill, nut till that time It was Judged moat safe that tbe queen's consort should walk between Hamon Qarcia and the sergeant. Rollo, with a wandering eye toward Concha and the queen, walked ond talked with Rtlenna and John Mortimer, whom of late the Joint com pulsions of love ami war had compelled him somewhat to neglect. Hut these good fellows bore no malice, though certainly Ktlennc grew a little red when Rollo, with tho frankness that dis tinguished his every word and nctlon, launched Into enthusiastic praise of the nobtllty, courage, fidelity and every other vlrtua characteristic of la Senorlta Concha. "In addition to which shn Is very pretty," added Ktlonno significantly. nollo stopped with tho seml-lndlgnant air of a horse pulled up short In full career. Hut In a rnomont he had recovered himself. "Yes," bo eald, doggedly, "sho Is very pretty." "Not thnt you arc a man to care for beauty you never wore," persisted Ktl ennc, with a sldo look at Mortimer. "You havo always eald so yourself, you know." "No, I never did care," Rollo agreed, a little hastily. "Hut yonder is tho farm house I wonder If we shall find our horsra as we left them?" Hero Ktlenne laughed sardonically for no reaHon nt nil, "I nm In hopes that they will bo fed and refreshed," continued Rollo, Imperviously; "we must let them havo a feed of corn, too, before they start." La Glralda, who had been lending tho quern's white mule, nt that moment gavo up her post to Concha and fell back In order to whisper something to tbe sargeant. "Ah," snld ho nloud, as soon as bo had listened to her, "that la well thought on. It falls out well, La Glralda ond I havo n little business of our own to attend to, which may occupy us n few minutes, With your leave, colonel, wn will go on ahead and arrange matters for the queen's re ception. From what Ln Glralad tells me, It may be ns well to avoid entering tho house." So tho queen regent, with Concha In at tendance and the little Isabel riding de murely alongside on her diminutive donkey, delighting In the unexpected excursion, found that a largo bam and granary, tool, airy and with a roof of stone arched like tho vaults of a fortress, had been prepared for them. The horses of the party had majesty and Queen Maria Chrlstlna-Coneha being one of tbo comity nnd little Isabel dancing everywhere after her as her In separable slave. So constant was the com panlonshlp of theso two that It was with the utmost difficulty and after several fail ures that Hollo mannged to exchange a word with his sweetheart. "You havo been very brave," he whis pered. "I should have failed but for you!" Concha blushed hot with a swift pleasure, but on this occasion her usual readiness of speech seemed to have dcierted her, and she stood silent, like a tongue-tied maid, greedy for the first time In her life of her own praise. Before cither could speak agnln the ser geant was back to report that La Glralda and he bad dinner ready for the party. "You must not expect much." ho said; "there Is little available for the pot, which may. with safety, be cooked." Hut, Indeed, In such weather there was need of nothing better than the arroz con polio the chicken with rice, together with the abundant gazpacho, for the first of which ho had found the materials In the store chamber and barnyard of the deserted farm bouse. TUo sergeant's hurrldly prepared lunch "I WILL SHOOT THESE THRKtO l'RISONKRS TOMORROW AT SUNRISE." was a prodigious success. Tho great folk partook ns heartily as nny, and (perhaps owing to their extreme youth) tbe polios tasted much more tender than could have been expected, considering tho fact that the sergeant had found them industriously pocking and scratching In tho dust of the farmyard upon his arrival. Hollo ate but little, for he wns Intensely excited. He had succeeded beyond expecta tion so far and now ho was beginning to see bis way past all entanglements to tbe successful accomplishment of bis mission. His plau was to proceed by unfrequented paths, such as were, however, perfectly familiar to bis adjutant. Sergeant Cardono, along the northern slopes of the Guadar rama till he should bo able to look out across the fertile plain of tbe Duero to ward the mural front of the Sierra dc Moncnyo. Thence, by forced marches across the valley, undertaken at night, ho might hope In two stages at most to put his charges under the care of General Kilo, the immedi ate representative of Don Carlos, who had established his headquarters there. Small wonder that Hollo grow excited. Tho worst was over the myriad adventures, the perilous pass's, the thousand enemies. Now the plains lay before him and Concha loved blm. If only this weight of resnonslblllty wcro comes tn fits and starts, not severe enough to chill, yet long enough to cool tbe body, wearied by the summer heats, with a senso of sratcful relief. And It Is precisely ln tbe teeth of such a gentle breathing, cheek-fanning earth wind that tho thunderstorm comes riding up overhead, Its flanks black and ragged with lain and fierce spurts of hail, and In the midst the white desolating lightnings .zigzagging to the ground. CIIAPTKK XI, II. A Him re Nnt Spread In Vain, The town of Aranda lay to the left, perched high above them, on the slopes of the Sierra de Moncayo. Rollo looked past tbe crumbling gray turrets of the little fortallce and over tho Juulper-and-thymo covered foothills to the red penks of tbe Sierra. From the point at which thov atood Moncayo fronted them like a surprised at the mouth of his lair. lion that raises his head haughtily to view the rash trespassers on his domain. The lower slopes of the mountains were tawny yellow like tho lion's fell, but from tho point at which tho scant mano of ro5k plants ceased Moncayo shono red ns blood In the level rays of the setting sun. "There there," thought Rollo, "I havo It almost ln hand now. Beyond thnt far extending flank lie Vera nnd the head quarters of General Ello!" They wcro riding easily, doboucblng slowly and In slnglo file out of tho defiles with which the country wns cut up, The sergennta and Rollo were lending, when as they Issued out upon the opener coun try, all suddenly they heard .themselves called upon peremptorily to halt, at tbe peril of tbelr lives, "Whom have wo here? Ah. our cer tificated KugllHhmaul And In his com pany whom?" Tho speaker was a dork-haired man of active figure and low stature, whose eyes twinkled ln his head, Ho was dressed In the full uniform of a Carllst general. About him rode a brilliant stuff, ami from behind every rock and out of every doop gully-cleft peered the muzzle of a rldo with JUBt one black oye peering from under tbe white Basque bolna or tho red one of Navarre. And for the third time Rollo Hlalr, out upon his adventures, bad come fnuo to face with General Don Ramon Cobrora of Tortosa. Yet It was with glad rellof In bis heart that Rollo Instantly rode up to Cabrera ond, having saluted, thus began his report: "I have the honor, goneral, to report that I have been fortunate enough to Induce her majesty, the queen regent of Spain, and her imut,uii'i, uiu yuiiiiK wueru jsuuei, in place thcmsclvee under my protection. I nm pro ceeding with them to the headquarters of General Kilo, according to my instructions, and If It be nt all convenient I should be glad of an additional escort that I may bo able to bring tbem safely within the lines of' , Vera " ' The brow of (Jeneral Cabrera had been darkening during this epeeeh and at tho ' mediate success. He cursed the hour that close ho burst out with an oath. he had entered tho bloodthirsty land of "I know no such person as the queen Spain. Ho cursed his visit to tho abbey of regent of Spnln. I have heard of a certain ' Montblanch nnd tho day on which ho ae-llght-i'-Iove calling herself Maria Chris-1 ccpted n commission from men without Una, widow of the late King Fernnndo the honor or humanity. He was Indeed almost Seventh. And If thio be Indeed the lady I In case to do himself a hurt, nnd both and her brat, we of the tho true opinion 1 Concha nnd the sergeant watched him with owe. you, Don Rollo, n debt of gratitude solicitude during the remainder of tho which shall not be easily repaid, for she ' afternoon ns ho wandered disconsolately and hers have troubled the peace of this 1 about tho little camp, twirling his mus country much and long. Of which now, by ' tnc,1 ftml blanking Kllllecrankle at his San Nicholas, thero shall be an end." (heels with so fierce an ulr thnt even As he snoke h mn hi. nv. !,- m . I Cabrern's oillcors, no laggards on the field. to whore Mimn end i,nhin.t hi. ,i.... "And the tnll gentleman with tho pol - - 4i ic itiioiiig ished 'vhlskcrs? Who may ho be?" hu cried, a yet moro angry fire glittering In his eyes. "That, General Cabrera," said Hollo quietly, "Is his excellency the duko of Hlan zares," "At last, estnnco keeper!" cried Cabrera, riding forward ns If to strike Munoz on thy face. "I, Hamon Cabrern of Tortosn, have waited a long time for this pleasure. " Munoz did not answer lu words, but as before preserved his Imperturbable de meanor. His half contemptuous dignity of bearing, which had Irritated even Hollo, seemed to have tho power of exciting Ca brcra to the point of fury. "Colonel, he cried, "I relieve you of your charge. You have done well. I nm the equal in rank of General Kilo, nnd there Is no need that you should convoy this party to his camp. I will assume the full charge yes, and responsibility, ny the holy St. Vincent, I promised them twenty for one when they slew my mother In the square of the narblcan. But I knew not from bow evil a vine-stock I should gather my second vintage. A poor commandant's wifo from a petty Valcntlnn fort was the best I could do for them at the time. Hut now the mother of Ramon Cabrera shall be atoned for In such n faahlan as shall make tho world sit dumb!" While Cabrera was speaking Ramon grew slowly chill and then Ice-cold with horror. "Sir," ho said, his voice suddenly boarso and broken, "surely you do not realize what yen are saying. Theso ladles are under my protection. They havo committed them selves to my care under the most sacred and absolute pledges that their lives would be respected. The same Is tho case with regard to Senor Munoz. It Is absolutely neccsaary that I should place them under tho care of General Kilo as tho personal representative of the king!" "I have already told you, sir," cried Cabrera, furiously, "that I nm of equal rank with any Kilo or other general In the nrrales of Don Carlos. Havo not I done moro than any other? Was It not I who carried my command to the gates of Mad rid? Aye, nnd hnd I been left to myself I should havo succeeded In cutting off that fox Mendlzabal. Now, however, I nm abso lutely Independent, owing authority to no man, savo to the king nlone. It Is mlno to glvo or to withhold, to punish or to pardon. Therefore I, General Ramon Cabrera, hav ing sworn publicly to avenge my mother, when, where and how I can, solemnly de clnro that ns n further retaliation I will shoot these three prisoners tomorrow nt sunrise, even as Nogueras, the representa tive of this woman who calls herself queen regent of Spain, shot down my innocent mother for the solo erlrao of giving birth UK. A. 1. slJAKLEs, i te Muaf Itcllulilr Siiccinllnt lu D'a ruiiri of Men, QTRICTURE Cured with a new Hoiai treatment. No pain, na detention from business. llRINARY'ldney and niulder Troubles, Weak Hack, Burning Urine, Frequency of Urinating, Urine High Col bred or with milky sediment on standing. RYDMII I 2 cure1 for "fc nnJ O I nibla poison thoroughly bleanacd from the system. Soon every llgn and symptom disappears completely lud forever. No "BREAKING OUT" of the oisoaso on the skin or face, Treatment ilontalnv no dangerous drugs or injurious bcdlclncs, WEAK MEN from Excesses or vic tims of Nervous De nitty or Exhaustion, Wasting Weakness, rlth early decuy in young and raidd! zed, lack of vim, vigor ard strength, tlth organs Impaired and weak, Curo luarautoed. CURES GUARANTEED CHARGES LOW to au unworthy son! Take them nwny' I will hear no more!" Thus In a moment was Hollo toppled from that highest pinnacle of happiness, for such to a young man Is tbo hfipo of Im i kept prudently nut of his way. The royal party hnd been disposed In a small house, a mere summer residence of some of the bourgeois folk of Arnndn nnd there, by an unexpected act of grace and at the special supplication of the sergeant, La Glralda had been permitted to wait upon them, To the secret satisfaction of Rollo the sergeant did not resume, his duties In the camp of Cabrera. The troop to which ho belonged had been left behind to watch the movements of tho enemy, for Cabrcrra had barely escaped from n strong force under L'spnrtcro near the walls of Madrid Itself by showing tho cleauest of heels possible. Cnrdono, therefore, still attached himself unreoroved to tho tiarty of Rollo. which camped n little apnrt. A guard of picked men was, however, placed over the quarters of tho royal family. This Cabrera saw to himself and then sullenly withdrew Into his tent for the night to drink aguardiente by himself, in gloomy converse with n heart Into whoso dark secrets nt no time could any man enter. It Is Indeed the most char itable supposition that at this period of his lite Ramon Cabrera's love for n mother most cruelly murdered had rendered him temporarily Insane. Deprived of La Glralda and Judging that Rollo was In no mood to be spoken with Concha Cabczos took refuge In the society of Kl Sarrin. Thut stalwart man of few words, though In the days of her light honrtedness quite careless of her wiles. Hnd. Indeed, unconscious of them, was in his way strongly attached to her. He loved the girl tor the sako of her devotion tn Dolors as well as because of the secret preference which all grave and silent men have for the winsome and gay. "This butcher of Tortosa," she said In a low voice to Hamon Garcia, "will surelv never do the thing ho threatens. Not even a devil out of bell could slay In cold blood not thu queen regent only, but also the Innocent little maid who never did any man a wrong!" Kl Sarrla looked keenly about him for possible likeness. Concha and he sat nt tome distance abovo the camp and Kl Sarrla was Idly employed In breaking off pieces of shnly rock nnd trying to hit a certain pin nacle of whlto quartz which made a promi nent target n few yards beneath them. "I think he will," said Ramon Garcia, slowly, "Cabrera Is a sullen dog nt all times and the very devil In his cups. Hceldes, who am I to blame him Is there not the matter of his mother? Had It not been Do lores well, I would havo shot half a dozen royal families!" "The thing will break our Rollo's heart If It cannot be prevented," sighed Concha, "for he bath taken It In his head that the queen and her husband trusted themselves to his word of honor." Hamon Garcia shook his head sadly. "Ah, 'tis his sacred thing, that honor of his his Image of the Virgin which he car ries about with him," he Bald, "and Indeed, Kl Sarrla has llttlo cause to complain, for hud It not been for that same honor of Don Rollo's, Dolores Garcia might nt this mo ment have been In the hands of Luis Fer nandez!" "Aye, or dead" tald Concha, "she would never have lived In the clutches of the ovll hcarted! I know her better, nut, Don Ra mon, what can we, who owo him so much, do for our Don Hollo?" "Why what is tbcro to do?" said Hamon, with a lift of his eyebrows, "hero ln the camp of Cabrera wo are watched, followed, suspected. Do you see that fellow yonder with tho smartly net obiua? He Is a miller' son from near Vltorln In Alava. Well, ho bath been Hot to wntch that none of u leaes tho camp unattended. I will wager that If you nnd wero to wander out fifty yards farther, yonder lud would bo after us ln n trlco!" "Ah!" suld Concha In n brown study. "Yes hu Is not ut nil n bad-looking boy nnd thinks excessively well of himself ltko some others I could mention. Now, Kl Sar rla, can you tell me In which direction lies Vera, tho headquarters of General Kilo?" "That can I!" said Kl Sarrla, forgetting his caution. And ho.was about to turn him nbout and point it out with his hand when Concha stopped him. "The miller's son Is crnnlng his neck to look," sho whispered, "do not point. Turn nbout slowly, and the third stone you throw let It be In tbo direction of Vera!" EI Snrrla did aa ho was bid, and after the third ho continued to project stones Vcra-ward, explaining as ho did so: "Up yonder reddish clef thu road goes, n hound path, a mero goat's slide, but it is tho dl rectcst road. There Is open ground to thu very foot of the ascent. Mnny is the tlrau I havo ridden there. God forgive me, on another man's beast!" Conrba'B eyes, hurvcylng tho landscape, Dr. SEARL.ES & SEARLES OMAHA, NEB. SPECIALISTS FOR DISEASES OF MEN The Secret of Our Unparalleled Success is Told in Two Words: ..WE CURE.. Varicocele, Acquired Blood Poison, Nerv ous Debility and all lleflex Complication and Associate Diseases and Weaknesses of Men. v VARICOCELE Are you afflicted with Varicocele or Its results Nervous Debility and are yw nervous, irritable and despondent? Do you lack your oldtlme energy and ambltlont Aro you suffering from Vital Weakness, etc.? Tbero is a derangement of tho sensi tive organs of your I'clvlc System, nnd even though It gives you no trouble at pree ent, It will ultimately unman you, depress your mind, rack your nervous system, un fit you for married llfo and shorten your exlstenco. ' Why not bo cured before It Is too late? WE CAN CUHG YOU TO STAY CUHKD. We have yet to see tbe cat ol Varicocele we cannot cure. ModlclneB, Electrlo Bolts, etc., will never curo. You need expert treatment. We treat thousands of cases where the ordinary physician treat one. Method new, without cuttlnir. pain or loss of time. lighted continually upon the handsome young Vltorian lu the red bolna, lifted again simply and sought the ground, At thla Kl Sarrla sighed nnd deeldcd mentally that with the exception of his Dolores no woman was to be trusted. It nut at heart a rake, she was by nature it flirt. And so ho wss about to leave Conclm to her own devices and seek Rollo, when Concha suddenly spoke. "Dun Ramon," she said, "shall wo walk n few hundred yards up the mountains nwny from the camp nnd see If we nre really being watched?" Kl Sarrla smiled grimly to himself and rose. Tho stratagem was really, he thought, too transparent, nnd his Impression was strengthened wben Concha presently added: "I will not nsk you to remnln If you would rather go back. Then wc will sco whom they aro most suspicious of, you or I. A girl may often steal n lioree when a man dares not look over the wall." In the nbstract this wm Incontestable, but Kl Sarrla only smiled the more grimly. After nil, Dolores was the only woman upon whose fidelity one would be Justified In wagering the Inst whiff of a good clga rillo. And ns If reminded of a duty Kl Sar rln rolled n beauty as he dragged one huge foot after nnother slowly up the hill In the rear of Concha, who, her love-locks spray Ing In tho breeze, her basqulna held co qticttlshty In one hand, and the prettiest toss of the head for the benefit of any whom It might concern, went leaping up- I want like n vntinir rne. j All the while Hollo was sitting below ; quite unconscious of this display. HU bead was sunk In his hand. Deep melancholy brooded In his heart. He rocked to and fro . as If Ir pain. Looking down from the mountain side Hamon Garcia pitted blm. "Ah, poor. Innocent young man," ho thought: "doubtless ho believes that the heart of this girl Is all hi own. Hut all men are fools a butterfly Is always a but terfly and nn Andalusc an Andaluie to tbe day of her death." Then turning his thoughts backward, ha remembered the many who had taken their turn with mandolin and guitar at the rejas of Concha's window when be and Dolores lived outside the village of Sarrla, and he (ah. thrice fool!) had taken It Into his thick head to be jealous. Well, Hfter all. this w-as none of his busi ness, he thanked the xalnts. He was not responsible for the vagaries of pretty young women. Hut with the corner of an eye more accustomed to the sun glinting on rifle barrels than to the flashing eyes of beauty. Kl Sarrin could make out that tha Vltorian with the red bolna was following them, bis gun over his shoulder, trying, not with conspicuous success, to assume tha sauntering nlr of a man wbo, having noth ing better to do, goes tor a stroll in tho summer evening. "TIs the first time that ever I saw a soldier off duty take his musket for a walk!" growled Kl Sarrin "and why on tho Sierra de Moncnyo does the fellow trick himself out as for a festal day?" Concha looked back over her shoulder, presumably nt Kl Sarrla, though why the maiden's glance was so sprightly nnd her Hps so provoklngly pouted is a question hard enough to be propounded for the doc- torial thesis nt Salamanca. For Ramon Garcia was stolid as an ox of his native Arngon, nnd extraneous glances and pretty gestures were as much wasted on him aa If he chewed the cud. Still he was not even In these matters so dull and unob servant as he looked, that is, when he bad any reason for being observant. "Here comes that young srs of Alava," be murmured. "Well, he is at least getting his money's worth. By the saints favor able to my native parish, the holy Nar cissus and Justus, but the burro Is tighten ing his girths!" And Kl Sarrla laughed out nuddenly and sardonically. For he could bco the lad pulling bis leathern belt a few holes tighter In order that be might present his most symmetrical figure to the eyes of this daz zling Andaluslan witch who had dropped bo suddenly Into the Carllst camp from tho place whenco nil wltchCB come. (To Bo Continued.) STRENGTHENS SYSTEM BODY BRAIN ond NERVE Kirn WORLD FAMOUS MAR I AN I TONIQ Gives Appetite, Produces Refreshing Sleep, A Safeguard Against Mental Disease. Dose. A emUl wlno-glaas full three times a day. Sold by all DrujrliU. Refute Sabitltates. tonnnltnllnn I'r, Treatment by matt, Cnll or Mitdrrns 110 9, 14th Bt. UlltJ. SUAULHS & bUAItLES, OSIAUA, JL 2