Evening star., 1901-10-12

divides the shoulder of the mountain, she
rode directly into the command of a field
force operating under the personal COM
mand of Gen. Espertero, the future Cic-
tator and present commander-in-chief of
all the armies of the queen regent.
At first she was nowiSe startled, think
ing only that Vera and Gen. Elio were
nearer than had been represented. We'll"
she thought, 80 much better"
But as she came near she saw the meas
ured tread Of sentries to and fro. She ob
served the spick-and-span tents, the uni
forms and the shining barrels of the mus
kets, which in another moment would
have arrested her headlong course.
Concha at once perceived, even without
looking at the standard which dropped at
the tent door of the officer in ind,
that this could be no more headquarters Of
CarliSt partidas.
AS women are said by the wise men to
be of their lovers religion, If he have one,
and if he have none never to miss it. so
tics which were more likely to deliver Rollo
from his present difficulties Therefore,
taking the red boina from her head-an act
which disturbed the severe precision of
her locks-she dashed at full speed into the
camp crying viva la Reina, Viva Maria
Christina! Viva Isabel Segunda!'
Checking her steed before the standard.
Concha first Saluted the surprised groCp.
Then giving a hand to the nearest land
best-looking officer) she dismounted with
spring light as the falling of leaf from
a tree. With great solemnity she ad-
vanced to the staff from which the heavy
standard hung low, and taking the en-
broidered fringe between finger and thumb
touched it with her lips.
Yet if you had called our little Cor:cba
a humbug-which in certain aspects of
her character would have been perfectly
proper description, she would have re-
piled in the utmost simplicity and with a
completely disarming smile. but 1 only
did it for Rollo's sake
enough) the thought of audience al
ways stirred the Mistress Concha to do
her best-for Rpllo's sake.
Take me to the general she said, with
a glance around the circle. Il have ridden
from the camp Of the enemy to bring him
tidings of the utmost Importance! Every
moment is precious"'
But the general is asleep, staff Off
Ger objected; 'he gave orders that he was
not to be called on any account
Tell him that upon his hearing my news
depends the lives of the queen regent and
her daughter, the young queen! The cause
itself hangs in the balance!
And to hear Concha pronounce the last
words was enough to have made convert
of Don Carlos himself.
The commander-fn-chief solved the diff
Guilty, however, at that very moment by ap-
pearing opportunely at the door of his tent
General Espartero at this time was a
man of forty-five. His service in South
America had touched his hair with gray
In figure he was heavily built, but in spite
of fever swamps and battle wounds, still
erect and soldierly.
what news does the senorita bring?"
he asked with a pleasant smile
THAT l can only tell to yourself, gener-
al" the girl answered. my name Is Con-
cha Cabezos of Seville. My father had
the honor to serve with you in the war of
the independence!'
And a good soldier he was. senoritar
said Espartero, courteously. II remember
him well at Salamanca. He fought by my
side like a brother"
Concha knew better than to blurt out
her news concerning the presence of the
queen and her daughter so near his camp,
That wise little woman had her terms to
make, and for so much was prepared to
give so much.
Therefore, from the first she kept Rollo
In the foreground Of her narrative He It
queen. He 1t was who had defended La
Granja against the gypsies. 1t was, in
deed. somewhat unfortunate that the queen
regent should have conceived a certain
prejudice against him. but then (here Com
cha smiled) the general knew well what
these great ladies were, on mountain
heights one day, in deep sea abysses the
next. Rollo had compelled the party to
leave the infected district Of La Gran1a
for the healthy one of the Sierra de Mon
cayo. What else, indeed. could he do? The
road to Madrid was in the hands of rowing
partidas OF the malignant, as his excel
lency knew. and 1t was only in this direc
ton that there was any chance of safety
That was his whole offenSe.
Most unfortunately, however, when IN
the very threshold of safety his party had
been ambushed and taken by Cabrera. But
the eaptor force was small one, and