The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-04-28

these barbers?" Porhrio, over In the
gulley. could not understand. Have
they no blood, these pigs and sons OF
pigs? Do they never kiss? But l will
taste with my knife, If it is water in
his veins? What do they say?"
Hadn't | better wait and see if you
can get into the house, Miss 'Chona?"
"Oh, but | can! l see Pascural's
pruning knife-and that will reach
through the crack of the door and life
the bar. Adios, Meester Bachois!"
She dropped lightly down into the
garden, and was gone. Mr.. Badgers
hid the board and sauntered quietly
down the street. In the shadow on the
! other side figure came out from be-
hind the shrubbery and followed
! noisely.
Dona Maria Evangelista Ortiz, an
ancient virgin of stately mien, was
less fortunate in her slumbers that
night than she was wont. Long after
little 'Chona had slipped in unheard
the house rang with words, scufile, a
crash, scream in 'Chona's voice,
babel of cries In which there were
even English. Dona Maria had blood
In her veins, and If her hand trembled
as she struck a candle, she did not
falter, but strobe out into the wide
zaguan.
"Valgame Dios! There was the lit.
tie waiting maid stretched upon the
door, her long braids twisted about her
neck, and the blood trickling from a
cash in her forehead. Beside her,
holding the poor little head upon his
arm and kissing away the blood, was
Porfirio trembling and moaning.
"Dios milo! What is this? What do
you in my house?" The senorita Ortiz
was terrible now; but Porfirio seemed
to grow cool under her flashing eyes.
Look to your jewel chest" he said
calmly-I came too late to save it
too late to save this, my soul, my lit
tie 'Chona. That barber, the goat, was
carrying 1t away, and she heard him
and caught him and struggled to take
1t from him. And the dog struck her
upon the forehead and was gone with
1t even as l came-for seeing him
climb the wall of the garden I fol-
lowed"
The old bronze bell in the garden
struck up the liveliest replique that it
had ever throated; and half Monterey
came running. Dona Maria was calm
rs calm. She had come into her fit
labiliments, and 'Chonas wound was
dressed, and 'Chona beamed on Por.
Trio, with soft eyes that any one might
NOW that he would never have to
loubt again. Of surety the house
lad been robbed, and the thief must
,e caught but it was not Dona Maria
Ortiz who would be in an
lnseemly stew about this.
If the Constable's spurs had not been
he handsomest in Monterey-and
therefore, not to be left behind when
tate occasions came-the San Ansel-
40 might not have got clear of the
wharf before he came galloping down.
'ut fate is so. Word was sent, how
yer, to San Luis Obispo, and when the
oat landed there the officers found a
title man who answered the descrip.
ion; but no chest or jewels, though
he San Anselmo was searched from
nd to end.
In Monterey when one makes q hue
nd cry over any ordinary loss, the
ossips shake their heads pityingly,
cirque? Now there was Dona Maria,
ho lost chest SO big Showing with
,e arms outstretched)-a chest full Of
iamonds and rubies and pearls-with.
ut the flicker of an eyelash. If others
ere as brave!
For you see the barber never told
hat he found when he pried up the
d; and as for the Senorta Ortiz, she
ill go to the grave with the secret
t what was packed in camphor in the
Id teak chest.