The Morning herald., 1877-05-26

der my roof I'll entertain you to the best
have" and he left the room. A few min.
utes later couple Of jugs of Castilian wine
were placed before the soldiers. and they
were speedily drinking with avidity. -
| Seated at the table with the rest Of them
was q young man, whom Miranda intro
duced to the Frenchman as his nephew.
Julia started when she heard this false,
hood. but a meaning glance from her ia
ther kept her silent This. pretended
nephew found means during the CONVERSE
tion to drug the captains wine. ~
"Sesor Miranda" cried lie Brun, who
was drinking deeply. you must be hap-
py man to be the owner at once of such a
capital wife and o.lovely daughter"
"You are very good captain, to say so,"
returned the other. "The wine cellar is
alwarys at your disposal. Come, let us fill
another glass, and this time we'll drink a
bumper to the Emperor Maximilian. I'm
beginning to like him. To tell you the
truth, I didn't fancy him at first. 1t was
an absnred predpjudice, | suppose, but I
assure you it is diminishing in my mind
very rapidly"
Ls Brun clapped his host upon the
shoulder and wrung his hand so heartily
that he made him vince.
"Ah, my dear senor," he cried "you
you do not know how sincerely the Em-
peror desires to serve the Mexican people,
only trust him and give him the oppcrtu>
nifty, and you will see what grand results
will spring from his reign"
Miranda filled the captains glass again,
then raising his own, be cried. "To the au.
spicious reign Of the Emperor p
The captain drained his .glass, and be-
gan to sit unsteadily in his seat. Julia gaz.
ed at her father in an imploring manner.
He meerly pointed to the door and nodded
and she Instantly left the table and passed
from the room. The captain was now deep.
'ly under the influence, of the drugged liq.
uor.
"Go and see how the soldiers get on"
whispered Miranda. n
The presented relative went out and
soon came back, saying that the party were
drunk and asleep upon the floor.
"Now we'll help the captain to his bed"
whispered. Miranda, land then" and
he laughed, "our work. will be easy.n
Turning to LIE Brun, he observed: "1f
you'll excuse me, captain, I'll leave you to
continue your wine with my nephew"
"I'll 20 to bed, I Think" said the cap
tain, staggering to his feet. .sz.,.. SIS.
"Very we'll" replied Miranda, and tax
ing lie Bruins arm he led him to his cham
ber, and, tumbling into bed, left the room.
Unknown to him Julia had been watch
ing all that had occurred, and when her
father returned to the supper room, she
slipped out noiselessly to the door, just in
time to see tall, illcfavored man, wrapped
in blanket, enter the room and cast him
self into a seat.
"Ha! Poncho F.! exclaimed Miranda,
"what newsq' ..
''The BEST" replied the other. II led
the French the wrong route, and then de-
serted them. 1t will take them three days
to return. In the meantime, Roija with
his band came down from the mountains,
and will be in Guanaxuato this very night.
Viva" and they all shouted. |
Have YOU seen Senior Diaz :" asked
Miranda. ., 49,.
II only left him ten minutes since. He
told me all. Where have you got the
Frenchman - \
"They are drunk and. asleep" replied
Miranda. !
"Twill be easy work then," returned
Poncho, feeling for bis knife. "Roija will
kill the unsuspecting French like sheep.
Come, let us go to work." and the villain
drew his glittering blade. !
Julia darted for the captains room and
shook him by the shoulder. He opened
his eyes with wild look and exclaimed
"Ah! it is you, my pretty Julia. What
can do to serve your
.sIn the name of heaven, rise at once,
your life is in danger, and | have no time
for explanation. Follow me immediately"
"ehall I, French officer, flee? I have
nv good sword let the. brigands come on"
said LIE Brun.
"Don't be mad, there will be no chance
for defense. The odds will be too great
Do YOU love me, Captain LIE RruniW -.
With all my heart ard SOUL" replied the
Frenchman. -,
"Then, for my sake, for the sake Of that
love YOU bear me, follow my ADVICE"
and she held out her hand. /
LIE Brun sprang from the bed, and, ia
King her hand, followed her down the
,airs to the garden. lie then hastened to-
ward the barracks Julia bearing him COM
pany, Ere they had gone dozen steps
Wild cries rent the air.
."Ueaven preserve U.S." muttersd Julia,
otis Boi;a and his thousand cutsthroats,
thew are killing your men like Crows" Le
RrHn dashed on and gained the barracks,
which were on fire and deserted:
Tn the meanwhile Poncho had killed the
and two soldiers, and asked to be
led to the captain. Miranda led the way |
md , .tor,ed hack aghast, when he found