10
THE OMAHA DAILY BEE: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1901.
I:
ft
The
By S.
Synopsis of rrecedlngj Chapters.
n i. -pi Hnrrln. haV
ng been Induced to bellcvo that hi" we,
Dolores, In unfaithful, stabs u village fop,
iiifi.i trinrc. whnin hn nnds presumably
ri.,;.. viiv (Via window. i
(states are confiscated and he becomes
hunted man. At the game tlmo a youn
Bcotch adventurer, Hollo Ulalr. cnl",,!2
Spain, and during m Inn quarrel Is aided
by John Mortimer, an HnI1"hman' t
two stnrt to visit Don lVUa5ar,ir iid
the mounstery of Montbtanch. nialr and
Mortimer are entertained lavishly by the
fbbot. and meet Etlenne Bt. I'lcrre. a
French gallant who Is studying for hoy
orders. Shese three, with El Harrla, v.M
has found protection at the monastery. ore
commissioned by the abbot to capture th
queen recent and her llttlo daughter In the
IntercHtH of the church. Enroute for the
camp of Cabrera, tho Cnrllst general, they
pass the home of El Sarrla. who learns that
Dolores was not false to him and that nis
downfall was plotted by Luis tcmande.
polores Is Imprisoned In Luis' homo and tno
ion to whom sho has Just given birth is
pliout to b burled allvo by Luis' brother,
Toman, when Kl Sarrla falls upon htm.
EI Barrla rescues his child and tnkes It to
the Convent of the Holy Innocents, where
Concha Is also staying. Then, aided by
Hollo Blair and his companions, ho cap-
tltrna ITsmflnilM' hnltm nnil rpftCtlPB hlfl Wife,
Dlalr and his comrades, captured by den
rill Cabrera, cannot prove their sympathy
with tho CarllM cause because Blair was
forced to Icavo his credentials at tho con
Vent as security for Dolores. They are
nentenccd to bo shot nt daybreak. Concha
arrives from tho convent witn crcocnuuin,
mn Ihnlr tlvail nn.l tnlnr toltlg UUllr 8
party In search of tho queen reKcnt. Tho
adventurers lenrn that tho queen regent s
court nt Han Ilderonso lias scattered vv
causo uf tho black plnguo nnd Caraono and
l.n ntral.ln n r a wont fnrWMril tri reCOtlUOltcr.
They learn that d bnnd of gypsies aro plan
nlnir In rnlil tlm rrnillp. nnd Tlnllo hastens
to the rescue of the roynt party. Hollo and
party barricade tho palace, rcs'st the
jtypsles, who succeed, however. In cap
turing tho l'rlncess Isabel. Itolln rescues
Isabel and start with her for tho hermit-
nif whlrli In thrivitnnpil llV CVHSV brlgUlldS,
and bodies of plagun victims am posted ns
nentlnols. Hollo, aided by Concha, restore!
the princess to tho queen, nnd Is betrothed
to Concha. Hollo, nldcd by Concha, rc
atores tho princess to tho queen, and Is
betrothed to uonenn. itoyoi party is enp
turod by Cabrera, and their escapo Is tilt
dertaken by Concha.
(Copyright, 1901, S. S. McCluro Co.)
CIIAI'TEIl XLIII.
The Ilcd Bo Inns of Nnvnxre.
Concha and El Sarrla sat down on on
outcrop of red tnndstone rock and gazed
back, at tho prospect. Thoro below them
lay tho camp and tho houso In which was
Imprisoned tho reigning branch of tho
royal family of Spain. A couplo of sou
trios pacod to and fro In front. A picket
had established Itself tor tho night In the
back court yard. Beyond that again stood
tho tent In which tho general was nt
present engaged In drinking himself from
his usual suller ferocity Into unconscious
ness. A little nearer and not far from tholr own
campflrc, at which tho sergeant was pro
paring tho evening meal, sat Hollo, sunk In
misery, revolving a' thousand plans' and
ready for any desperate venturo so soon as
night should fall. Concha gavo a quick
llttlo algh whenever her eyo fell on him.
Ferhaps her consclcnco pricked her per
haps not. With tho heart of a sad woman
doth neither stranger nor friend Interfiled
dlo with profit. '
Tho sauntering Vltorlan halted wltblu
speaking distance of tho pair.
"A flno ovenlng," he sold, affably, "can
you give mo a light for my c!garetto7"
It was on tho tip of El Sarrla's tonguo to
inquire whether there was not plenty of
lights for his cigarette back at tho camp
Arcs where he had rolled It. But that most
excellent habit, which Don Ramon had
used from boyhood, of never Interfering In
tho business of another, kept him silent.
"Why should I," he thought, "burn my
fingers with stirring this young forolgnor's
olla? Timo was when I made a pretty
mens enough of my own."
So without speech he blew tho end off his
clgarlilo and handed It courteously to the
Carllst soldier.
But Concha had no qualms about breaking
the silence. Tho presence of a duenna was
nowise noccssary to the opening of her
Hps, which last had also been allenced
without Intervention of a chaperon.
"A flno evening, Indeed," sho said, smiling
down at him. "I presume that you aro a
foot soldier from tho musket you carry. It
must be a flno one from the caro you take
of It. But as for me, I like cavallora best."
"The piece Is us vcritablo a cross-eyed
old shrew as over threw a bullet ten yards
wldo of tho mark," cried the Alavan, toss
ing his musket down on tho Bhort clastic
covering of hill plants on which ho stood,
and taking his cigarette luxuriously from
his lips. "Nor am I an Infantryman, ns I
you Buppose. Doubtless tho senorlta did
not olmervo my spurs ns I camo. Of tho
best Potosl silver thoy aro made. I am a
horseman nt tho Estolla regiment. Our
good Carlos the Fifth (whom God bring
to hit own!) Is not yet rich enough to pro
vide us with much In tho way of n uniform,
but a pair of spurs nnd a boina aro within
reach of every man's purse. Or If he has
not the money to buy them they are to be
had at tho first tailor's wo may chance to
pass!"
"And most becoming they nro!" said
Concha, glancing wickedly at tho youth,
who Bat staring nt her nnd letting his ciga
rette go out. " 'TIs small wonder you ure
a conquering corps! I hnvo often heard
tell of tho Bed .Bolnns of Estella!"
"I think I will botnko me down to thr
camp I smell supper!" broko In El Sarrla,
curlly. Ho began to think that Mistress
Concha had no further use for him, and,
being assured on this point, ho sot about
finding other business tor himself. For
with all his simplicity Hamon Garcia was
an exceedingly practical man.
i"Tho ntr Is sweet up hero, I profor It to
eupper," said Concha. "I will follow you
down In a moment. Perhaps this gentle
man destrcs to keep you company to tho
camp and canteen!"
But It soon appeared that tho Vltorlan
was also Impressed by the marvelous Bwcet
ness of tho mountain air, and equally de
sirous of observing tho chnngeful lights
and lengthening shadows which tho sun of
ovenlng cast, sapphire and Indigo, Venetian
red and violet gray among the peaks of tho
Sierra do Moncayo. When two youug people
Are thus simultaneously stricken with adml
ration for scenery, tholr conversation la sel
dom worth repenting. But the Senorlta
Concha Is so unusual a young lady that In
this case an exception must be made.
"You aro doubtless u line horseman!" she
cried, clasping her hands. "Oh, I adoro all
liortest I love to soo a man ride as a man
ehould!"
Tho young man colored. Thl3 was, In
truth, the most epeu Joint In his armor.
Abovo all things ha prided himself upon hit
horsemnnshlp. Ccnchn hnd Judged as much
from his caro of his spurs. And to be mis
taken for an Infantry trampor!
"Ah," ho said," If tho senorlta could only
see ray maro La Perla. I got her three
months ago from the stable of a black
blooded National, whose house we burnt
star Zaragcza. She has carried me ever
m
3
Firebrand.
R. CROCKETT.
since without a day's lameness. Thcro Is
not the like of her In tho regiment."
At this Concha looked still more pensive.
Presently she heaved another elgh and
tapped her slender shoe with a chance spray
of heath.
Oh. I wish" she began, nnd then stopped
hastily as It ashamed.
"If it bo anything that I can do for you,"
crlod tho young man, enthusiastically, "you
shall not have to wish long!"
As he spoko he forsook tho Btono on which
ho had been sitting for another nearer to
tho pretty cross-tied shoes of Andaluslan
pattern that showed beneath tho skirts or
Concha's basqulna.
"Ah, how I lovo horses," murmured Con
cha. "Doubtless, too, yours Is of my coun
tryof the beautiful, sunny Andalusia
which 1 moy never see again!"
'T'ho maro Is Indeed bellovcd by all who
have knowlcdgo to have Andaluslan blood
In her veins," answered tho Alavan.
Concha rose to her feet impulsively.
"Then," sho said, "I must sco her. Also
I am dovourcd with eagerness to see you
rldo."
Sho permitted her, eyes to tako In the
trim flguro of tho Vltorlan, who had also
risen to his feet.
"Do go and bring her," she murmured. "1
will tako caro of your musket. You need
not be a moment, and I will wait for you!"
A llttlo spark kindles a great Are In a
Spanish heart, nnd tho young man, count
ing tho cost, rapidly decided that the risk
was worth running. Tho horseB of the
Estolla regiment wcro picketed In a little
hollow n few hundred yards behind the
main camp. It was his duty to watch
theso two strangers, of whom ona had
already gone back to the camp, while as
to tho other well, Adrian Zeomaya of the
province of Alava felt nt that moment that
ho could cheerfully devote the rest of his
life to watching that other.
In a moment moro he had laid down his
musket at Concha's feet, and sot off as fast
ns ho could In the direction of tho horses,
keeping well out of sight In tho trough
of a foothill until ho was close to the
cavalry linos, and could smell tho honest
stablo Bmcll which In tho open air mingled
curiously with thoso of aromatic thyme
and resinous Juniper.
In flvo minutes ho was back, riding his
best and sitting llko a centaur.
Concha's eyes glistened with plcasuro and
sho run Impulsively forward to pat tho
cream-colored mare, a clean-built, well
gathered, workmanlike steed.
Now tho young man was very proud of
tho attention and Interest this pretty An
daluslan girl was showing In his equipment
nnd belongings, to tho exclusion of thoso
of his comrades. Perhaps he might have
been less pleased had be known that tho
young lady's Interest extended even to tho
gun ho had left behind him, tho charge
of which she had managed to extract with
deft and competent fingers.
"La Porta she is called," ho cried with
enthusiasm, " and sure nono other ever
better deserved the name! I wish we of
tho camp possessed a sidesaddle that tho
ecnorlta might try her paces. She has
the easiest motion In the world It Is like
riding In a great lady's coach with springs,
or being carried In a sedan chair. But she
is of a delicate mouth. Ah, yea It tho
senorlta mounted, It would bo necessary to
remember tbnt sho must not bear hardly
upon the reins. Then would La Porla of
a certainty take tho bit between her teeth
and run llko tho devil when Fnther Mateo
la after him with a holy wnter springe!"
Concha smiled as tho young fellow dis
mounted, flinging himself off with the
lithe graco of youth and constant prac
tice. "You forget," sho said, "I also am of tho
Province of Flowers. Do not bo afraid.
La Perla .and I will not fall out. A side
saddle any saddlo! What needs Concha
Cabezos with sldcsaddlo when sha hath
ridden unbroko Andaluslan Jennets wild
over tho meadow of Malrena, with no bet
ter brldlo than their mnnes of silk and
no other saddlo than their glossy hides,
brown as toasted bread!"
As sho made this boast Concha patted
La Porla's pretty hend, who recognizing
a lover of her kind, muzzled an affectionate
noso under the girl's arm.
"Oh, how I wish I could try you." sho
cried, "were It but for a moment darling
among steeds, pearl of Andalusia!"
"La Vova Is very gentle," suggested
the young cavalier of Alava, as ho thought
most subtly. "With mo at tho maro's head
tho senorlta might safely enough rldo.
But for fear of Interruption let us first
proceed a llttlo way out of sight of tho
enmn!
They desconded behind tho long rldgo
till the camp wns entirely hidden, and ns
they did so tho heart of tho young Vltorlan
beat fant. They think plentifully well of
themselves, theso young men of Alva and
Navarre. And this ono felt that ho would
not dlsgraco the name of his parent city,
"Only for a moment, senorlta, permit mo
thcro! Tho senorlta goes up like n bird!"
Now wait till I tako her head and beware
of Jerking tho rein hastily on account of
the delicacy of the llttlo lady's mouth! So,
Ia Perln gently nnd daintily! Consider,
Jewel of marcs, what a precous burden s
now on thy back!"
"A moment, only a moment!" cred Con
cha, her hands apparently husy about her
hair, "this rebozo Is no headgear to rldo
lu. Whnt shall I do? A hnndkorchlef Is
not largo enough. Ah, Cavallero, add to
your kindness by lending me your bolna! I
thank you a thousand times! There! Is
that bo greatly amiss?"
And che set the red boina daintily upon
her hair, pulling tho brim sideways to
shado her eyes from the lovel evening
sun and looked down at tho young man
who stood at her side.
"I'orieet: ueautitui!" cried tho young
Vltorlan, clasping h!s hands. "Tho Blent
would eet on fire tho heart of Don Carlos
himself. Ah, take care. Bcnr eatlly nn
that rein. S!op, La Perla! Stop! I beso.ch
r.."
And ho started running with nil hln
might, Alas, lu vain, For thj wicked
Concha, tin moment that he had stepped
back to trttto in the effect of tho red holm,
dropped n hoel, into wnicn sno nad nil
rately Inserted half an Inch of pin, taken
from her own headgear, upon tho flank
of La Perls. Ths maro sprang forwarl,
with nostrils distended and a fierce Jerk
of the head. Concha pulled hard, as if
in terror, nnd presently was flying over
tho plain toward the (left of tho shoulder
of Moncayo, beyond which lay the camp
of General Kilo.
Tho young Carllst stood n moment aghast
Then slowly ho realized tho situation
Whercupcn, crying aloud the national oath,
he ground his heel Into the ground, kneeled
upon ona knee, toolc careful aim and clicked
down the trigger. No repcrt followed, ho-.v
eer. and a slight Inspection satisfied him
that ho had been tricked, duped, made n
tool of by n slip of a girl, a girl with uyea
yes, and eyelashes.
However, ho wasted no time foolishly
Well be knew that for such mistakes there
was in Cabrera's code neither forgiveness t
nor indeed any penalty save one. Adrian
Zumaya of the province of Alva wn vmintr.
Me desired to live, If only that ho might a spring light as the falling of a leaf from
meet that girl again at whoso retreating a tree, With great solemnity sho ad
flguro ho had n moment beforo pointed an i vanced to tho staff from which tho heavy
empty gun barrel. Ah, ho would bo even
with her yet. So, wasting no timo In leave
taking, he bent low behind tho ridge, nnd
keeping well in the shclfer of boulder nnd
underbrush, mado a boellno for the cliffs
of Moncayo, where presently. In one of
tho caves of which El Sarrla had spoken,
he counted his cartridges and reloaded his
rifle, with little regret, except when he
wished that the Incident bad happened after,
Instead of before supper.
Tho young man's last act beforo ho laid
himself down In his new quarters had been
to tako from his coat tho circular disk with
tho letter "C. V" tho badgo of tho only
Catholic, absoluto nnd legltlmato king.
Then npproachlng tho preclplco as nearly
as In tho uncertain light ho dared he cast
It from him In tho direction of tho Cnrllst
lines:
"Shoot whom you will at sunrise, queen
or camp-wench, king or knave," ho mut
tered. "You shnll not havo Adrian Zumaya
of Victoria to put n bullet through,"
So easily was allcgltmco laid down or
tnken up in these civil wars of Spalnl And
that night It was noised abroad that young
Zumaya of tho Estella regiment of cavalry
had taken his horso nnd gono off with tho
pretty senorlta whom ho had been set to
watch.
Upon which half of hi a comrades envied
him and the other half hoped ho would bo
captured, saying: "It will bo bad for
"YOUR MOTHER'S HAIR, WET WITH
Adrian Zumaya of tho Estella regiment if
ho comes again within the clutches of our
excellent Don Hamon Cabrera."
And this was a fact of which the afore
said Adrian was exceedingly well aware.
But tho most curious point obout the wholo
matter Is that when ho awolto lato noxt
morning ho found ' tho sun shining brIU
llantly Into tho mouth of tho cave. Tho
camp had vanished, thero was a hazo of
sulphur in the air which bit bis nostrils.
nnd! beneath him on a little plot of coarsa
green grass and hill plants n cream-colored
horso was qulotly feeding.
"It Is my own Perln," ho cried, as, care
less of danger, he hastened down. Thcro
was a red object attached to the maro's
bridle. He went around and detached a
red bolna, to which was pinned a scrap of
paper. Upon It was written theso words:
"I hopo you havo not missed cither of
tho objects herewith returned. They
served mo nobly I sond my best thankti
for tho loan. C. C."
"That Is very well," said tho young man,
smiling as ho mounted bis horse, "but all
the tamo hnd my heels not served me better
than my head your best thanks, protty mis
tress, had como too late. Thoy would
not bavo kept mo from biting tho dust at
sunrise with half a dozen bullets In mv
gizzard, Instead of waking hero comfort
ably on an empty stomach. Well, I suppose
I must don the enp of liberty now, and be a
Chapelgorrl, It is a pity. "TIs not ouo
half so becoming as the bolna to ono of
my complexion."
CHAPTER. XLIV.
"For nollo'a Snkr."
Yet for all this brave adventure Concha
was as far as ever from meeting with Gen
eral EIlo. She bad not oven reached Vera,
where It sits on tho northprn slopes of the
Moncayo; not though El Sarrla had quite
correctly pointed out tho path and though
La Tcrla had Bei vcd her like the very pearl
and pride of all .Andaluslan steeds.
For onco more, as so often In this hlitorv
nnd In nil men's lives, the cup had slipped
on the way to tho lip, the unexpected hud
happened, and Concha found herself in the
wrong enmp.
She rodo at full speed as wo havo soon.
out of sight, that Is, tho Bight of La Peria'a
owner. And owing to tho red bolna, which
Master Adrian considered to become her so
well, sho camo vory near to riding out of
this history. For, through tho higher
nrroyo of Aranda do Moncayo, which, llko
a slice cut clean of a bride's cako. divides
the shoulder of tho mountain, she rode
directly Into tho command of a field forco
operating under the personal command of
General Espertoro, tho future dictator and
present commander-in-chief of nil tho ar
mies of tho Queen Regent.
At first shs wns nowise startled, think
ing only that Vera and General Ello wero
nenrsd than had been represented. "Well,"
Bho thought, "so much' bottor."
But as sho came near she saw the meas
ured tread of sentries to and fro. Sho ob
served the Bplck-and span tents, the uni
forms and the shining barrels of tho mus
kets, which In another moment would havo
arrested ler headlong course.
Concha at onco perceived even without
looking at the standard which drooped at
the tent door of the officer In command,
that this could be no ntoro headquarters of
Carllst partldRB,
As women are said by tho wise men to
be of their lover's rollgion If he have one,
and If he have nono never to miss It, so
Concha wos quite ready to be of tho poll
tics which wero most likely to deliver
Rollo from his present difficulties. Thero
foro, taking the red bolna from her head,
an act which disturbed the sovere pre
cision of her locks, she dashed It full speed
into the enmp, crying:- "Viva la Relna!
Viva Maria Christina! Viva Isabel Be
guoda!" Checking her steed lefore tbo standard
Concha first saluted tho surprlsod group.
Then giving a hand to tho nearest (and
hrat.inntttnt - nnirui.i i. .ii.rr,,,,,nio,i win, i
standard hung low nnd, taking the em.
broldercd fringe botwecn finger and thumb,
touched It with her lips.
Yet Is you had called our llttlo Concha
a humbug which In certain aspects of her
character would hnvo been a perfoctly
proper description sho would havo replied
In tho utmost simplicity nnd with a com
pletely disarming smile: "But I only did
It for Hollo's Bake."
Which was true enough, but (strangely
enough) the thought of an nudlcnco always
stirred tho Mistress Concha to do her
best for Hollo's sake!
"Take mc to the general," sho said, with
a glanco around tho circle. "I have rlddon
from tho camp of tho enemy to bring hltn
tidings of the utmost lmportnncel Evory
moment Is precious!"
"But tho general Is asleep," a staff offi
cer objected; "ho gavo orders that ho was
not to be called on nny nccountl"
"Tell him that upon his hearing my nows
depends tho lives of tho queen regent and
her daughter, the young queen! Tho cause
Itself hnngs In tho balance!"
And to hear Concha pronounce the last
words was enough to have mado a convort
of Don Carlos himself.
Tho comrannder-in-chlef solved tho diffi
culty, however, at that very moment by
npptmrlng opportunely nt tho door of his
tent.
General Espnrtero at this tlmo was a man
YOUR MOTHER'S BLOOD;" HE CRIED,
of 45. His Bcrvlce In South America had
touched his hair with gray. In flguro hs
woo heavily built, but, in spito of fever
swamps and battlo wounds, still erect and
soldierly,
"What news does tho senorlta bring?"
ho naked with a pleasant smllo.
"That I can only tell to yourself, gen
eral," tho girl answered; "my namo Is
Concha Cabezos of Seville My father had
tho honor to servo with you In tho war of
tho Independence!"
"And a good soldier he was, senorlta!"
said Espartcro, courteously. "I remember
him well at Salamanca. Ho fought by my
side like a brother."
Concha knew better than to blurt out
her news concerning the presence of tho
queen and her daughter so near his camp.
That wlso llttlo woman had her terms
to make, and for so much was prepared to
glvo so much.
Therefore, from tho first sho kept Rollo
In tho foreground of her nnrratlve. Ho It
was who singlc-hnnded had saved tho llttlo
queen. Ho It was who had defended La
Granja against tho gypsies. It wns, in
deed, somewhat unfortunnto tbnt tho queen
regent Bhould havo conceived a certain
prejudice, against him, but then (hero
Concha smiled) the general know well what
these great ladles wore, on mountain
heights one day, in deep bcu abysses tho
next. Hollo had compelled tho party to
leave tho Infected district of La Granja for
tho healthy ono of tho Sierra do Mancayo.
What clso, Indeed, could ho do? Tho road
to Madrid was In tho hands of roving par
tldas of the malignant, as his excellency
knew, and It was only In this direction
that there was any chanco of safety. That
was his wholo offense.
Most unfortunately, however, when on
the very threshold of safety his party bad
been ambushed and taken by Cabrera. But
the captor's force was n small one, and
with boldness nnd caution tho wholo band
of tbo mallgnants, together with their pris
oners, could be secured, Tho Carllst gen
eral bad threatened to murder the two
queens and the duke of Rlanzarcs at sun
rise, as was his butchery wont; and It Hs
partero would deliver tho rcynl party, not
only was his future assured, hut tho for
tunes of nil who had takeu any part In the
affair,
Tho general listened carefully, looking
all tho whilo, not at Concha, but down nt
tho llttlo folding table of iron which held a
mup of northern Spain, Ho continued to
draw figures of eight upon It with his fore
finger till Concha's eyes wearied of watch
ing him, as sho nervously waited for bis
decision.
"How came you hero7" he asked at last.
"I borrowed a maro and a Carllst bolna
and rode hither as fast ns horseflesh could
carry me. I heard from n friend of tho
cnuso that your command was lu the neigh
borhood." "And from whom did you receive that
Intelligence. I thought the fact was protty
well conconlcd? Indeed, we only arrived
an hour ago,"
Concha cast about for a namo. The nec
essary fiction wns also, of course, 'for
Hollo's sake.' A thought struck her. She
would se-vo another comrade, as It wero, on
pacBant,
"From a good frlenl n tho Carllst ranks."
she said, "ono Sergeant Cnrdono."
Tho general looked a little nonplussed,
for the many genorals of oil nationali
ties ho bad no Blight penchant for om
niscience. "I never heard of him," he said, sharply,
"Who may ho be?"
Concha leaned yet closer nnd laid a small
soft brown hnnd gently upon tho genarul's
gold-embroldcred cuff. The general, not
being so simple as ho looked, drew back
his arm a little so that the hand rested a
moment on his wrist (for Hollo's saku)
before It was gently wlthdrHwn.
"1 ou have hoard of Jose Maria of Honda?"
she whispered
Tho general's faco lighted up nnd ns
swiftly dulled down.
"Certainly, what Andaluslan has not?
ho said. "But Joso Marin Is dead. He was
executed at Salamanaca."
"Ah, said Concha, "that talo was for
the consumption of Don Carlos and his
friends. In fact ho Is the best spy we Na
tionals over had ayo, or ever shall have."
"Ah," said Espcrtcro, lost In thought.
Thcro wero somo matters which soemtd
to need clearing up, but on tbo whole the
thing looked probable.
Concha In her whirlwind of excitement
would havo liked the general to attack tho
Carllst camp Immediately, but tho moro
cautious Don Baldomero only shook his
head.
"That Is all very well when n small forco
is to bo crushed at any cost," ho said, "or
a strong position taken along lines previ
ously studied by daylight, or opened up by
artillery. Hut when our object Is to pre
servo tho lives of persons so important to
tho world as the royal family of Spain, lying
nt tho mercy of ruffians who would not
hesltato to murder cvoryono of them In cold
blood It Is best to wait till tho morning.
Lo, I will push forward my forces on all
sides, nnd, If all goes well, surprlso Cabrera
at the earliest glimmering of dawn."
"And my friends who havo suffered so
much to bring this about?" urged Concha,
anxiously, "what of them?"
"I protulso you on my honor that they
shall bo protected nnd rewardedl" said
Espnrtero.
"And bravo Don Hollo, tho Scot oven If
the queen continues to dislike him?" per
sisted Concha.
"A PRETTY TALISMAN TO MAKE A
"Senorlta," smiled tho general, "it will be
a vastly greater peril to tho young man, 1
rear, if you llko him! Ho will havo bo
many Jealous rivals on his hand!"
For Baldcmcro Espartcro also was an An
daluslan, nnd tho men of that province, high
ana low, nover permit themselves to get
out ot practlco when there is room for a
compliment.
Concha looked the general full In tho face
with her deep, magnificent oyes, nquama
rlno, violet, or dark gray, according to tho
light upon thom. They wcro (as sho would
sometlmos own) fallacious eyes, nnd upon
occasions wero wont to express far more
than their owner meant to stand by. But
tho latent lover behind them onco fixed,
these same eyes could convince tho mcst
skeptical of tho unalterable naturo of tho
affection which they professed. So t was
in iuo present instance. Concha merely
looked nt tho general squarely for a mo
mont nnd said without flinching, "I love
him!"
Espartero stooped and touched her brow
lightly with his lips, graciously and ten
derly as a father might upon a solemn occa
sion. Then ho gathered up her llttlo brown
hands In his. They wcro trembling now,
not rock-stondy as when they held tho mus
ket on tho balcony at La Granta.
"My daughter," ho said, "do not fear for
your young Scot. Queens nnd consorts and
promlors are not tho most powerful folk In
Spain not, nt least, so long an Balderaero
Espartcro, tbo Andaluslan, commandB these
good lads out there!"
Then tho futuro dictator stopped to his
tent door, summoned a staff officer, and
ordered him to put a tent at the disposal of
tho young senorlta. "Requrst tho com
mandants of tho sovcral columns to come
Immediately to mo nt headquarters, as also
tho gypsy spy, Ezquerra, our late heads
man of Salamanca!"
CHAPTKR XLV.
Forlorucat lloiiea.
nut Rollo himself, our firebrand from the
slopes of tho Fife Lothlans what of him?
Tho foxes that Samson sent nmong tho
corn fields of Phlllstla with tho flro at
tholr tolls ran not moro swiftly than his
burning thoughts.
After a long tlmo Hollo raised his head.
With supremeflt Indifference, ho heard about
him the first hubbub of tho huo and cry
after Concha. So heavy was his hoart
within him that (to his shame bo It writ!)
ho had nover oven missed her ns she went
up tho mountain. Yet sho could have
mlssod him had fifty queens and princesses
been in danger of tholr lives ayo, nnd hor
own honor, and that of her raco at stako
throughout all their generations.
Hollo, how over, gave no heed, but follow
ing his Intent, stalked slowly and steadily
to tho cenernl's quarters.
"No one Is allowed to enter," colled out
an ofllcer, whose only mark of rank was a
small golden badge with "C. V." upon It,
pinned upon tho collar ot his bluo shirt.
He was sitting cross-leggod on the grass,
mending tho hood ot his cloak with a pack
irs needle.
"I am Colonel Rollo Blair," said the
young man, "I brought hither the royal
party, and I must see General Cabrera!"
"Young man," said the other, In good
English, "I am a countryman of yours In
so far, that Is, as a poor southerner may
whoso ancestors fought on the wrong side
at Bannockburn. But for your own sako
I ndvito you not to disturb the general at
this hour. Tho occupation cannot be roc
ommundod on the score of health."
"I thank you, Blr," said Hollo, "but I
have my duty to do and my rUks to run as
well as you, And It you, an Englishman,
desire to be art and part In the shooting
of a queen mother aud her little royal
daughter, well I wish you Joy of your con-
REV. T. W. KEARNEY
Chaplain of His Majesty Niagara District Yet
eran Yolunteer Association,
CANADA.
Rev. Kearney Presided Over the
Parish at Walshtowti. S. D.
He is a 'Veteran of the Army of 1866.
Rend his strong Testimonial in which he endorses
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science and your birthright ot English
man!" Tho other shrugged his shoulders nnd
answered: "I hnvo nothing to do with tho
matter. Colonel Hollo Dlalr brings tho
party hither nnd General Cnbrera shoots
them. You two can divide tho responsU
blllty between you ns you please!"
"That Is Just what I mean to do," quoth
Rollq, nnd lifted tho flap of the tent door.
"Gcnoral Cabrera," ho said, "I would
speak to you!"
An Innrtlculate growl alono replied, and
though there was moro of wild beast wrath
than permission to enter In the tone, Rollo
lifted tho Hap and entered,
"Your excellency," said Rollo, "I have
come to urge you to reconBlder your In
tentions with regard to Queen Maria Crls
tlna, widow ot tho lato king, nnd the
child, her daughter, and that for sovcral
reasons."
"Let mo hear them ns briefly ns may
be, senor," thundered Cabrera. "I shall
then make up my mind whether It would
not mnko for tho ktng'B peace that such
a firebrand adventurer ub you should not
be shot along with them. And I can toll
you this, that If all tho pretty girls In tho
peninsula were to como with a whole herd
of papal bulls they would not savo you a
second time!"
As ho spoko Cabrera reared himself on
his elbow and glared at Hollo, who stood
still, holding tho tent llap In his hand.
"Theso aro my reasons for this request,
general," said Rollo, without taking tho
least notice of the threat. "First, uch an
act would ullenato the sympathy of tho
wholo clvllUed world from the causo of
Don Carlos."
"For that I do not give tho snap of my
finger," cried Cabrern. "I bite my thumb
at tho civilized world. "What has It done
for us or for Don Carlos cither? Next!"
"Secondly, I appeal to your pity, as a
man with tho heart of n man within his
breast. This lady hath nover dono you any
wrong. Her daughter Is littlo moro than
n babe. Sparo them, nnd, if on examplo
must bo made, bo satisfied with executing
Senor Munoz and myself. I shall right
willingly stand up by his Bldo If tho shed
ding ot my blood will savo tho queen nnd
tho llttlo princess!"
"And tho fair mold, Donna Concha?" said
Cabrera, mockingly, "what would alio say
to such an act of Belf-sacrlflco?"
"Sho would rojolco to sco mo do my duty,
general!" said Rollo with confidence.
Cabrorn laughed long, loud nud scornfully.
"Not by a thousand leagues!" ho cried,
"not If I know a maiden of Spain to Bavo
anothor woman! No. no, go out of this tent
In enfoty, Don Rollo. I llko a man who has
no, fear In his bollyl And Indeed great need
havo you of tho fear of God, for when n man
dares thus to beord Ramon Cabrera tho fear
of man Is not in him. See here, hombrc !"
Rollo was about to epcak, but Cabrera
suddenly roso to his feet, steadied himself
a moment upon tho tent polo nnd lifted
from a stool a umall tin coso llko a much
battered dispatch box. Opening It ho re
vealed nnother cnBket within. Ho unlocked
that nnd, drawing out a long gray tress of
woman's hair, ho put It to his Hps.
"The hatred of men has been mine," he
crlod fiercely, "aye, ever stneo I was 1
yearn old ban my knlfo kept my head. But ,
through all ono woman has lovod mo and I
only one. Heo that! 'TIs my mother's hair I
which the butchor officers of tho woman 1
Crlstina sent me In mockery, warm and:
clotted from tho shambles of the Barbican.
Touch It, cold man of the north. Aye, let!
It stream through your fingers llko a lovej
token and say what would you do to tuouo
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who Bent you that?"
Again ho kissed the long gray tresses
passionately ero bo laid them In Hollo's
hands.
"Your mother's hair, wot with your
mother's blood!" ho cried. "A pretty
talisman to mnko a man merciful. 'Never
harmed me,' did I hear you say? Answer
mo now! What harm had my poor mother
douo thom? Answer mo! Answer me, I
say. You Scots know tho law. They say
you read tho bible. 'An oye for an eyo and
a tooth for a tooth!' So I have hoard the
clerics yolp. 1b It not true? Well, for
each hair you hold in your hands will I
exact a life. Queen or consort, maid or
babo, what cato I? Have you any moro
to say? 'Then glvo It back to 'me?"
With theso final words he raised bis voico
to a shout, and throw himself on the bed
In a passion of tears, with tho tress ot long
gray hair pressed to his face.
And Rollo went out, having Indeed no
words wherewith to reply.
But though worsted at tho general's tent,
tho young adventurer was by no means de
feated. Nono knew better how to fall back
that ho might further tho leap. He had
failed utterly with Cabrera, and as he came
out tho enmp was still humming with tho
scandal concerning Concha. Tho English
man, having finished repairing tho cape ot
his military cloak, had been awaiting events
within tho tent with the greatest interest.
In fact, ho had been undlsgulscdly listen
ing. As Rollo camo out bo congratulated him
In n low tone.
"Kvery moment slnco you entered," ho
said, "I havo been expecting to hear the
guard summoned and orders given to bavo
you shot forthwith. Ramon Cabrera docs
not wait a second tlmo to assuro himself
of his prisoners, I can tell you. You have
como off very well. Only take my advice
and don't try it again.'
"I will not," said Rollo, whose thoughts
were elsowhoro. "I am obliged to you, sir!"
"By tho way," continued tbo other with r
pertinacity which offended Rollo In his
present state of mind, "there la great news
in tho camp. That girl who came with you
proved to bo a spark among our tloder.
Theso Spaniards can resist nothing In the
shupo ot ii petticoat, you know. And gad,
sir, I don't know why they should In this
cnBe. For I will say that a handaomer girl
I nover net eyes upon, and demon, sir.
Colonel Frank Morry has seon somo high
Bteppors In his time, I can tell you!"
"If you refer to the Senorlta Concha
Cabezos," said nollo, haughtily, "sho la
botrothed in marriage to mo and such re
marks nro highly offensive!"
"No offense no offonso, deuced sorry,
I'm suro," said Colonel Frank, whose
namo as well as his Jolly proportions In
dicated tho utmost good humor. "But the
fact Is I heard mind, only Bay I heard
that tho young lady has gone off with a
good looking young Vltorlan, a trooper of
tho Kstrella regiment, one Adrian Zumaya,
Ho removed his horso from tho lino on pre
text ot grooming It and tho pair have gono
off togotherl"
"If you will favor mo with tho name of
your Informant," answered Rolo, "I shall
havo tho pleasure of running him through
tho body!"
Tho Fnlstafflan Colonel Don Frsnclsco
Merry waved his hand and smiled blandly.
(To Bo Continued.)
AlwajH havo n bottlo or two of Copk'a
Imperial Kxtra Dry Champagne In your
keenest; then you will always bo ready for
callers.
J.
r
