The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-20

circuitous path that was only broad
enough TO permi. us TO travel in single
file, but which was worn hard with
frequent use. 1t seemed as though we
had laade a detour of hale a mile, con-
stantly ascending, when Antonio de-
parted from the path by trail that
was hardly visible In the moonlight,
and few moments later we were re-
moving an overgrowth of vines from
the dark mouth of n walled culvert
that pierced the masonry that defended
III Libertad.
1T is the old drain" whispered An
tonic. "There is a lumber shed now
on the other side, and the people have
forgotten il. We boys used to use IL
when we would steal pines from old
Iedraza's garden"
/ hated TO put foot in ;he uninviting
passage, not knowing what moment /
might feel the fangs of o serpent in
my leg; but there was nothing else
10 do. We reached the other extremity
in safety, and crossed ourselves as we
emerged into the shed, which was half
full of old barrels and rubbish that
the builders had left.
Now, where is the priests house?"
at is there, on that corner, senior.
There are two there who live together"
1.-TWO? The dcvil!"
"No, senior, both Padres, / assure
you"
"But, look you, Antonio. We do not
want two. One will be plenty for our
purpose. Perhaps they are not at
home, as there is no light in the
house?''
"No, senior, they sre both at home.
DO you see those little red sparks on
the vtranda?" Sure enough, there were
two points like the eyes of an animal.
AS we looked one described a semi
circle and returned to its first posi-
tion. They were the cigarettes of rev.
erend companions.
There is no time to be lost, AM
tonic; you must take away one of them,
and l will kidnap the other.
"But how?" asked Antonio.
Listen. You have an errand from
the sick. Do you hear that uproar in
the distance? That is the noise of
woman wailing over the dead. There
will be some wounded there too. A
wounded man has called for the Padre.
Go quickly, Antonio, and be sure you
take the largest one with you, if there
is difference. If you lead him yon-
der some one will be sure to want
HIM"
The servant went. He stole back
in the shadow until he had gone far
enough to be out of sight of the house
on the corner, then, emerging boldly
INTO the street, passed me running,
anu so came to the Padres door. 1
could hear their voices ss they spoke.
parleying and debating until one, Of
them flung his cigarette into the street
and directly passed my hiding place,
guided by the invaluable Antonio.
Rising from where / had crouched,
as soon as they were out of sight I
crossed the street and knocked at the
door. The remaining Padre, who had
gone inside the house when his COM
panion went away, came to the door,
and l besought him TO accompany me
in haste to see a wounded soldier.
Bother your wounded man." he an
swered. There was fellow here just
now on similar errand. Those wound
ed all belong to the other city district
anyhow, and they have Padres enough
there of their oysu to attend to them.
do not like to interfere outside of our
own cure" With this he would have
shut the door in my face but that put
my foot against it. He was angry at
my boldness, but / made haste to say