The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-16

nau the COnSoldllOu VI my rcllSlOn De-
fore. Now fight the darkness by my
self. Do not ask me questions, for /
shall not answer them. But taunt me
no more with confession"
Even Don (suillermo was dumb. In
all the twenty-five years of her life she
never had betrayed violence of spirit be-
fore: even her hatred of the Estenegas
had been a religion rather than per-
sonal feeling. 1t was the first glimpse Of
her soul that she had accorded them. and
they were aghast. What-what had hap
pened to this proud, reserved, careless
daughter of the Iturbi Moncadas?
Dona Trinidad drew down her mouth.
Prudencia began TO cry. Then for the
moment Chonita was forgotten. Two
horses galloped into the courtyard.
"Reinaldop
The door had but an inside knob. Don
Guillermo threw it open as young man
sprang up the three steps of the corridor,
followed by little man who carefully
picked his way.
"Yes, am here, my father, my moth
er, my sister, my Prudential! Aye, Eusta-
quia, thou too" And the pride of the
house kissed each in turn, his dark eyes
wandering absently about the room. He
was dashing caballero and as hand
some as any ever borrel the CALIFORNIA;.
The dust of travel hadceen removed-at
a saloon-from his blue velvet gold en-
broidered serape, which he Immediately
flung upon the floor. His short jacket
and trousers were also Of dark blue
velvet - the former decorated with
buttons of silver filigree, the latter
laced with silver cord over spotless
linen. The front Of his shirt was covered
with costly lace. His long botas were of
soft yellow leather stamped with designs
in silver and gartered with blue ribbon.
The clanking spurs were of silver inlaid
with gold. The sash, knotted gracefully
over his hip, was of white silk. His
curled black hair was tied with blue
ribbon and clung, clustering and damp
about a low brow. He bore strange
resemblance to Chonita in spite Of the
difference Of color, but his eyes were
merely large and brilliant; they had no
stars in their shadows. His mouth was
covered by heavy silken mustache and
his profile was bold. At first glance he
impressed one as perfect type of manly
strength, aggressively decided of char
acter. 1t was only when he cast aside
the wide sombrero-which. when worn
little back, most becomingly framed
his face-that one saw the narrow, in
significant head.
For time there was no conversation;
only series of exclamations. Chonita
alone was calm, smiling loving well
come. In the excitement of the first mo-
ments little notice was taken of the de-
voted bailer, who ardently regarded Cho-
nita.
Don Juan de la Borrasca was fouting
his sixties, fighting for his youth as a
parent fights for its young. His with
cred little face wore the complacent
smile of vanity: his arched brows fur
nished him with superciious expression
which atoned for his lack of inches-he
was barely five feet two. His large
curved nose was also compensating
gift from the godmother of dignity. and
he carried himself so erectly that he
looked like toy general. His small
black eyes were bright as glass beads,
and his hair was ribboned as bravely rs
Reinaldo's. He was clad in silk attire
red silk embroidered with butterflies.
His little hands were laden with rings;
carbuncles glowed in tho lace of his
shirt. He was moderately wealthy. but
n stanch retainer of the house Of Iturbi
y Moncada. the devoted slave of Chonita.
She was the first toremember him. and
held out her hand for him TO kiss. Thou
hast the gratitude of my heart, dear
friend" she said as the little dandy
curved over it. Il thank thee dozen
times for bringing my brother back to
me-"
"Aye, Dona Chonita, thanks be TO God
and Mary that was enabled so to do.
Had my mission proved unsuccessful /
should have committed n crime and gone
TO prison with him. Never would have
returned here. Dueno adorado, ever at
thy feet"
Chonita smiled kindly, but she was
listening 60 her brother. who was now
expatiating upon his wrongs to sym
DdlntllC duultllCt.
"Holy heavenw he exclaimed, striding
up and down the room, ''that an lturbi
Moncada, the descendant of twenty
generations, should be put to shame. TO
disgrace and humiliation by being cast
into common prison! That nm ardent
patriot, loyal subject of Mexico. should
be accused of conspiring against the
judgment Of an Alvarado! Garlic was
my friend, and had his cause been u just
one had gone with him TO the gates Of
death or the chair of state. But could
IL conspire against a wise and great
man like Juan Bautista Alvarado! No.
not even IL Garlic had asked me so TO
do. But. by the stars of heaven. he did
not. / had been but the guest of his
bounty for month. and the suspicious
rascals who spied upon us. the poor
brains who compose the departmental
junta. took IL for granted that an Iturbi
y Moncada could not be blind to Carillo's
plots and plans and jntrigues that, hav-
ing been the intimate of his house and
table, must perforce aid and abet what