Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-05-06
HE WIDOW OF TOLEDO.
TALE OF
LOW BIRTH AND IRON FORTUNE ~
BIT DR.. 8. p. BRONSON
CHAPTER 1.
THE RUFFLED MAROI-IS

CHAPTER I.
THE RCFFLED MARQUIS.
say will, count ~ cried the young Marquis
de Sorbano, to his companion, the Count de
Perez, az they walked along the Plaza Real-the
great square or lounging ground in the good old
cry OF Toledo. The marquis was in his hveand-
twentieth year; an only son; very proud, very
sensitive, very rich, and, from boyhood up, very
much accustomed to have his own way
The count, his companion, was a bachelor,
nearer thirtY-hve than thirty, with a bold COM
manding air, moderately goOd-looking face of
modest fortune, and with a fine reputation az \
soldier, having had the honor, with a small hand
native city, in a single battle from the Moors
He was laughing, careless, good -humored gem
eman, with no particular object in life except to
anluse niHSei, and was withal partly from
tnre and partly from experience, somewhat of
philosopher.
- say will, count ~ cried the marquis. who,
a' the reader will readily understand, was con-
siderably excited 81 will call him ont and run
him through. NV honor demands it,'i
The count laughingly shrugged his shoulders.
%, II your honor demands il; ;, he returned, ~
have nothing more to say. Still, | would like to
urge one little thought for your attention.
- What is it - asked the marquis
- This: What if Juan. who, as can testify
for he gave me swo7d-thrust once for treading
incautiOuSly on his shadow what if Juan | saw
who wieldS as dexterous a rapier any man in
Toledo
Except Leon, the fair widows secretary
interrupted the marquis.
- OF cOurse-always except Leon, - laughed the
count " But what if Juan should refuse to I've
rnn through He is proud, and, if you will take
pains to remember. not over apt 10 follow any
bidding He is impulSive, high-spirited. brooks
neither threats nor counsel, is wTy, supple and
quick OF eye and hand. As for myself though
have seen some service, and am considered to
possess some skill in the Use of the sword I
should be careful To fee priest for masses for nv
soul ere voluntarily went out to match my blade
with Juan'S'''
- But nv honor demands it,, repeated the
marquis, upon whom this gentle admonition had
no effect Juan mHSt meet me ~
20, you Will not have to ask him twice
laughed the count. . But. seriously, now-you
would not fight man about woman who would
consider IT blessed thing if seven-eighhs of her
sultorS-Juan and yourself amongst them-would
only kill each other. and thereby relieve her of
their opportunities 1''
:. No matter, said the marquis, proudly. 'I
L" Ere you do said the count, as they ap-
preached noted tavern, the resort of the FAST
cavaliers OF the day, . let's in to the Lodge of
since nothing can say will drive this thought
out OF your head, let's see if the generous grape
will not he more successful
The count, followed by his communion pusbed
hlsway through the garden, W hic h fairly humIned
with the voices of gay throng. to an unoccupied
table neaI the fountain, and after giving order
Tor TWO hagOnS Of his favorite - Cddiz," he ran
his clear dark eve rapidly around to observe his
immediate neighbOrS, and perceiving an old ac-
qualntance smoking cigarette in a brown study
and occasionally mOistening his lips with a meas
Ure Of wine, he smilingy muttered--
- Poor Lopez he is meditating upon the lee
ture that awaits him from the gray marc, and
wishing himself a free cavalier once more -
stay - said the marquis. Something is
going on, -
He made this remark on noticing that there was
general movement on the part of the thronp to-
wards the entrance of the garden. Looking in
that direction, he and the count beheld short
stout parsonage. with a small round head su. ar
loaf hat, turned up nose, small thin lips. a re-
treating chin, round shoulders, and short arms,
standing, in scarlet trunks and hose, on a large
table between two alguazils, one Of whom held in
his right hand u long narrow rod. emblematic of
lis or1ce as a constable, and in the other a
small hand-bell which, at sign from the short
stout individual, who was none other than the
city crier, he nOw rang to attract attention.
Hear, hear, all We people ~ cried the crier in
wheeZy voice. Then turning to the alguaziI on
his right, he commanded him to sound ,, where
upon that worthy raised a long narrow trumpet TO
hisps, and blew loud, shrill blast which grated
on the ears Of the crowd with a sharpness that
caused many 70 shrink back with every nerve on
edge.
The cTier, unfolding roll of parchment, from
which dangled large circular blue seal, held it
up, and cried aloud in his wheezv tone which
was scarcely heard through the din:
Hear, hear. all We people In the name of his
most Catholic Majesty. Charles the Second by the
grace OF God and the Spanish Monarchy, King Of
spain. give audience
. In the name Of the King - shouted the aIgu-
azLl with the trumpet, In a voice of thunder
instant.
al the crier to proceed.
The latter cleared his throat with an air of i'm
Portance that provoked a general smile, and then
read as follows
Whereas il has been represented to us that
Don Garcia de Vega, whilOm of this court is liy-
ing concealed under false name in our good city
oi Toledo. this is to inform all to whom This our
Proclamation shall come that whosOever is cog
hLant OF his abiding place shall reveal the same
20 the Judge Of the city tribunal, who is hereby
charged To deliver him. bound hand and foot II
And
'on or person. to whom this proclamation shall
rome, De aware OF the abiding place of the said
Don Garcia de Vega, and shall withhold his
knowledge OF the same from the oficer aforesaid
snch person or persons shall for all he or ey
Possess to the crown and his their bodies be
publicly burnt in the market place signed with
oar haHd and sealed with our most royal seal
"CHARLEs, REX"
Having finished the reading of this epistle to
ne Toledans, the cTier. throwing up his short,
round arm. shouted Long live the King ~ and
tnen, followed by the alguazil, stepped careful
y down from the table, and, with a ludicrous air
o. aSSum- d dignity, took his departue.
AZ he disappeared, the spectators breathed freer
ed resumed their seats and wine; and ere long
The atmosphere was heavy with the buzzing
murInur OF their voices before.
Don Garcia de Vega said the marquis to
liz companion, who was looking down mIIsinp-
u. -. W no was he -
Il am trying TO think" answered the count:
but FOR the life Of me, cannot. The name Is
HnIting dimly in my memory, like i wreck ked
snip on the sea; but am unable to make out when
where, or nnder what circumstances first heard
o! it. IL seems to NE a. il il belongs TO one who
made noise in political circles long time ago
bat AIN not sure -
Let me enIighten you, gentlemen" said
voice near them.
IL was that Of parsonage at an adjoining Ia
DE whom the count and marquis recognized as
the city recorders clerk.
Don Garcia de Vega, he said, approaching
,hem, three and twenty years ago was one of the
hing'S counSellorS. and stood high at couIt but
having incurred the enmity of Ramirez, the
prime minister. whose brother he slew in a duel,
ne ~aS charged with treason, his estates conhs-
,t'ed. and himself sentenced TO the headSman
p4t' through the instrumentality Of friends he
avoided the axe by escaping from prison the night
preceding the day appointed for his execution,
lahlng with him. as was SnDDOSed. his wife and