Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-17

little ones our friend. I wonder what
they are whispering together about?"
But 1 had been making up my mind to
ask the inquisitor to give US lodging in
some place where we could see and comfort
my mother. 1 knew well that she would
be in distraction away from us and alone
with Anna, whom she had never liked.
Most reverend" l began, I'VE have es-
capped from a pirate island. Ny mother
and her companion have undergone many
hardships. 1 pray you to permit US
mother has long been weak"
The grand inqulsitor turned toward me.
He smiled indulgently.
DO not fear" he answered, your
mothers health will be cared for by the good
sisters. l doubt not you will find her much
improved when you see her again. 1t is
not customary for the sexes to mix with
each other in the religious houses Of St.
John of Brozas and Of our gracious lady
the Holy Nary
And with a little quieting wave Of his
white, plump hand he turned again to his
consultation with the abbot.
Eborra stood apart in seeming detection,
tho broad smile gone from his face. He
caught my eye and nodded confidentially.
To this / did not reply, but averted my
eye, for still was angry at his desertion
OF us.
Presently the grand tnqu.sitor turned to
US again, smiling in his most fatherly
fashion.
MY friend has agreed to provide lodging
for you," he said; you must pardon the
| roughness of 1t. 1t shall only be temporary
| i can promise you that, if I have any
| Influence in this island-which may say
think l .haven'
| 1 answered that had no doubt of 1T.
| And that whatever quarters he provided
| for us, they would prove pillows of down
| after the hard seats of the jolly-boat and
| the dangers of the pirate isle. 1t was
good. I continued, to find ones self once
again among Christians and brethren.
He struck a bell, and Immediately, as If
| they had been waiting for the signal, half a
dozen lay brothers entered. We could see a
score or so Of the tall negro overseers col
| lected In the shaded porch.
| The abbot spoke rapidly to the lay BROTH
ers, nodding his head the while. and the
grand inquisitor continued to smils subtly
upon us.
II bid you goodbye for the present." he
said; you. young sir, of the Scots persua-
sion, and you also" the turned to Wild,
who have had the so great honor of being
| christened in the Church of England. May
a good conscience and the memory Of your
past privileges support your!
| The monk who had first found US upon
the shore stood before us. He hooked a
reckoning finger at me and uttered two
| words in Latin:
| 'Venite fratresH
We followed him out into the court yard
! among the whispering leaves and FLASHING
fountains. Will and 1 walked side by side.
But Eborra got no farther than the door
way. Here he found himself surrounded by
the black men with whips in their hands
| These all began to talk at once, laughing
and slapping each other in noisy paternity,
Eborra grinning and talking away as fast
as any.
Half dozen of the brown monks accom-
panied us, talking low among themselves
These did not walk as If guarding prisoners
but rather like people accidentally going the
same way. In this order we crossed the
| open square TO the corner opposite the
church. Then We descended a flight of
steps and turned into cool passage. We
| heard sound as of dogs yelping and he.
gan to smell the smell of kennels
| Our guide flung open a door and motione6
I us with fling of his arm to enter We AID
so, VIII Bowman going first
We found ourselves in high, narrow cell
| the floor Of earth trodden hard. Rings and
| wheels of iron We're let into the wall or
either side. Rope and pulleys cobwebbet