The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-10-09

her mother.
When Dona Helena knew what had be-
fallen her daughter she fell on her knees
and besought the don to keep the treasure,
but he would not. He raised her up and
bowed himself before Dona Ceiestina and
rode away.
Then were his knights little pleased that
he would not keep lawful booty and re-
ward them. So be gave them from his
own wealth to each man 100 marks in gold
Nevertheless was my don fearful lest his
men should return and take the booty
again of Doha Helena. So he came and
placed himself opposite the house and re-
manned there all night keeping guard, and
when she passed by the window he knelt
and crossed himself, for he felt that she
was holy.
Now was Dona Celestina the most beau
tiful maid in all Zaragoza, and sought
after by many suitors, but to all she turned
deaf ear, for she was minded TO enter the
church, being wholly given to good deeds
and especially blessed of the virgin. So
when it was known that Don Enrique, the
lawless, was her lover also great laughter
was raised in the town that he should try
to win the holy Dona Celestina-
Nevertheless did the don press his suit
most gallantly All the trophies which he
won did he lay at her feet, but she would
none of them for herself, for she held his
course as sinful So she gave it all TO the
poor.
But naught could dismay my don. He
wooed her ardently with no cause for hope.
for she turned her face from him. She
went her way among the sick and the poor,
doing much good, so that the people bless
ed her in the public streets as she passed
them by.
Her journeyings were often perilous, for
the Moors were in the country, nor did
they hesitate to kill or carry OFF any whom
they met, nor were any such heard Of after.
Don Enrique gave her a jeweled
dagger whereby she might defend herself
Also he or some of his knights kept al
ways near to aid her if SO be she should
need them. Even though she did not al
ways see them did she know they were
near, and her heart was touched.
After long time did the don grow i'm
patient with his waiting, for she showed
him no favor, and he sent a messenger TO
her to know her heart.
Then did the dona bid him tarry while
the time from the hour of tierce one day to
hour of tierce the next in meditation
and prayer, and the knight tarried with
out, waiting her gracious pleasure. Then
she came unto him and said; 1.-THE Dona
Celestina sendeth farewell to thy lord, for
she is minded to join the sisterhoOd. Nor
would she in any wise dare to call herself
wife to the Don Enrique de Lamarca.
Nevertheless will she from her cloister con-
tinuously pray for him"
When the don heard this his heart failed
him, for he loved her nightly. Then did
he wrestle greatly with his own spirit as to
whether or not he should forsake his
course and enlist under the banner of the
king. who sorely needed his aid against the
Moors But the soul of my don loved free
dom and outlawry more than righteous
war
Nevertheless did his love for Dona Celes-
tina prevail Therefore did he call his
knights together and tell them of his pur-
pose, whereat they all lamented sore and
sought to turn him. But the don rose up
and unbuckled his sword and dashed it to
the floor and set his heel upon it, and said:
'Thus do l set my heel upon my own
life of sin, and ser fCrth to do valiant SER
vice for the king, for the sake of the Dona
Celestina"
And at the sound of he- name did the
knights kneel, for so had Don Enrique COM
manded.
Then did they yield the point, only be-
seeching him to make one more adventure
with them as his last. Long did the don
resist their appeal. but his soul longed to
yield, for dearly did he love his wild life,
and sore was his grief at leaving it. But
at length be promised. He ordered a great
feast to be spread in his castle when they
should return, and the preparations were
made as if for king
Then did the don take with him knight
named Estevanillo Guadana and come unto
Dona Celestina. He gave unto his knights
hand a single white rose and babe him go
unto the dona and tell her of his VOW and
say unto her if so be she would reDounce
her intention of entering the church and
reward his love and faithfulness to come
on the morrow to her balcony and wear in
her bosom the white rose, and if she would
not to appear and let the rose fall unto
time, for he would be waiting. Then, too,
did he caution her against going through
the streets, for the Moors were waxing
bolder and strange were the stories afoat
concerning their daring. Then he blessed
Don Estevanillo and sent him in unto her.
Now, this knight, being false and vain,
thought to trick Don Enrique and win
Dona Celestina for himself, for he, too,
was of noble birth. Nevertheless he de-
livered the message to her even as he had
been told and gave her the white rose.
Then did he prove false to his lord. He
told her Of this adventure which they had
planned and Of the banquet prepared
which was fit for a king that they might
make merry over their spoils. Nor did he
say it was the last, but made it appear as
if the don would thus break his vow.
Then did the dona's eyes grow sorrowful
and a doubt grew in her mind against Don
Enrique, but she forbore to speak. She
dismissed Don Estevanillo, saying she
would do even as his lord had SAID.
Exceedingly grieved was she at the news
she had heard. She knew from the sorrow
of her heart that if the don had not gone
upon this last adventure she could have
appeared upon the balcony wearing the
rose. But she feared q man who broke his
vow; so she would not consider IL
Nor did she wholly trust Don Estevanillo,
for she despised a man who could be faith
less TO his lord although be had sought 20
excuse himself by his VOW. But the dona's
heart was 50 completely given 10 Don En-
rique, howbeit she would not marry him,
that she would have counted it more
worthy for Don Estevanillo TO be faithful
10 his lord first. SO she despised him, rs
all true women would.
Then she called two Of her women to her
and they arrayed her in black from head
70 fsat> And DonA Celessina took the
white rose and wept over It, and kissed 1t,
and held it in her hand as she went forth.
She needed not Don Enri9ues counsel,