The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-06-19

andiord had escaped. He went 20 the
window and called for assistance, but there
we're few persons abroad at that hour Of
ihe night, and the window Of the room
was far from the street. He went 10 the
door and used oil his efforts to force it
open without success. Exhausted 10 the
anavailing attempt, he sat down to wait
The break Of day Hour after hour passed
away, aud at length the welcome gray dawn /
began to appear Presently his ear caught |
the sound Of light step, aud he heard a
bolt fall from the outside, then the door
opened and Isabella stood before him.
She certainly looked beautiful US she
walked into the room, clad in simple
white robe without any adornment.
Thank you, thank you, cried the
count, ~ shall not forget the service YOU
have done me, und if | crave a kiss, /, is
10 token Of the love which bear for one
who has been the means Of preparing me
10 defend my life"
Isabella bowed her head, aud the count
kissed her on the forehead.
:" You know Ill that has happened r.
questioned the count
AYES, senor," she replied. "My uncle
is seriously wounded, but the contraband.
lists carried him off TO the frontier before
daybreak. Senior, now that you are safe
and free to depart, viii you not do me the
favor to conceal this matter2 You have
dangerously wounded my uncle, aud |
heard Jose, the chief Of the contrabandist
gang, say, that if Antonio reached Segoyia
alive he would be much surprised.
The count was thoughtful for a few
minutes, then he asked, "why, my dear
girl, do you desire to shield this wretch?
Certainly not because he is your relation.
You do not love him, for last night he
said he would surely kill you if he knew
you had betrayed him."
"Listeu, senior, and | will explain. said
the girl. "AntOnio Hernandez is the only
brother of my mother. When she died he
took me to his home, and brought me IN
after his rough fashion. He used TO be.
long to Joses gang. If he didn't treat
inc with affection, neither did he beat me
Once he saved my life-periling his life
to save mine. was at the bottom Of the
sea when he dived and brought me to the
surface again, and the water was full Of
sharks, too. Great sea monsters, senior
Certainly he must have cared something
for me, or he would have allowed me 4
be eaten up. She looked up in his eve
with a pleading expression as she spoke
and the count drew her near him apC
again kissed her brow.
"For your sake, | make the promise
he replied; "but with this condition. tha
your uncle never returns to Madrid
At that moment there was a Jingle o
spurs in the court, and call for Isabella
The count descended the stairway will
her, and at the landing met swarthy fel
low, with face half concealed 10 sloucl
hat, who called Isabella aside and spok
to her 10 low and rapid tone. This don
he jumped upon his mule and gallope,
quickly away.
The girl stood leaning against the door
way with her cheeks blauched and hand
tightly clasped, while great tears role
down her cheeks.
Divining at once the cause, the couu
approached and said, "You have bad new,
| fear?"
"He died before they reached the noun
tains, she replied. "Jose sent me WORD
Alas alasl" aud she wept bitterly.
The count endeavored to soothe he
grief, and made inquiries as to her fntur
| life.
81 am alone 10 the world now" sh
sobbed.
81 will see that you are cared for h
said, and will send a kind person 10 yo
before night. Come, cheer up; all will b
we'll. "
That day Isabella was removed to III
convent of st. Ursula, and placed at schoc
under the care of the kind sisters.
Count de Biyas sought the beautifr
Julia and learned that, by dreadful ace
dent, she had been horribly burned an
dis6gured, and was then lying upon be
Of sickness from which she might neye
rise again. The shock was so great upo
him that he started upon his travels ono
more.
Six month later he was at Andorro. o
the Spanish frontier, when he came acros
a band Of contrabandists, who were comm
down from the Pyronees. One fellow. VIII
had peculiar limp in his gait, caught Ri
eye, aud he thought there was somethip
familiar in his face. The man pulled hi
cap over his eyes aud was Fastening b,
when the count sprang to his side and pu
his hand on his shoulder
"You are Antonio Hernandez, formcrl
keeper of the Raven Inn, cried the Cour
de Bivas.
And you IRE Count de Bivas, was III
reply
1--WE won't mention the past," " said Ii
count "but tell mo why you sent word
TO that poor girl that you we're dead"
"Well, senor," replied the rufian. /"
was tired OF playing landlord whcr. | coul
gather no pesos, ! louaed again for m
old life, and | didn't want TO be bothere
with women, | know all you have don
for the gil, senor. Little passes ia III
cities that Jose's gang do not get corrcctl,
Now let US say adieu, with the hope "
may never meet again" aud the rufia
dohed his cap ia derision, aud hurried 0
after his companions.
A sudden change came over the eoan
Tie hurried back to Madrid, aud sougl
the convent Of St. Ursula, where he bs
hong interview with Isabella, sad befol
the orange buds bloOmed again in the ga
den Of the dc Bivas mansion at San PabI,
Isabella became a countess, and the happ
Wiie eF a man whose life Hhe had been il
stFamcntal In preserving.
Whitewashed Babies.