Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-03

with Senior Luis and his friend, Tia Elvira.
These worthy people, however, were not
In the sick chamber Of Dolores Garcia,
which, on the whole, was just well. At
an earlier part of the night the Tia had adj
ministered to Dolores a potion which
caused her to sleep soundly for several
pies, as well in a good many things of
nature far from simple. A faint clink-
ing sound, as of counting money, guided
Rollo to the spot.
The master of the house and his tia
sat bending over a table in the upper hall,
or general meeting place of the family. TIE
door which opened off the stairway up
which the visitors came gave slight
creak, but Luis Fernandez and his asso-
ciate were engrossed in their work that
| neither Of them lifted their eyes.
considerable number of trinkets of gold
and silver, articles of attire crucifixes and
ornaments were spread out upon the table.
AS soon as Ramon's eyes fell upon these,
Rollo felt him grip his arm convusvely,
but the young man resolutely kept the out
law behind him. The time was not yet.
Tia Elvfra was not for the moment on
good terms with her companion.
Listen, Luis Fernandez" she said, OK
tending pair OF withered claws across the
table like the talons of some unclean bird.
IF you think that l going to do your
business and run hot chances of the iron
necklace that has no beads and then when
all is done allow your fathers son to cheat
me out Of my dues, you are much mis-
taken. If YOU do not deliver me all the or
naments her husband gave this woman
Dolores according to your agreement, by
the chief of the devils that inhabit the
four hells, l will go to the corregidor to-
| morrow and lodge information against you
and your brother for the crime Of child
| murder"
And where. think you, would you find
yourself in such a case?" quoth Luis Fer
nandez, a cold-eyed, dark-haired man of
forty years OF age. He sat leaning well
over the table, the more precious Of the
| objects gathered between his arms. you
| were the nurse In attendance, my Tia-to
| that the Sangrado would bear witness. He
left you In charge Of the infant, my dear
| aunt. And though times are hard and men
in office unbeleying. l still think that 1,
Luis Fernandez could command enough
testimony in this town to bring the guilt
Gf guilt there be- home to certain Elvira
the Gypsy, whose record, at any rate, is
none Of the best!'
Il do not see why you want both the
woman and the goods whined the Tia.
keep nothing which would remind her of
her old life. And have not l. by my decoc-
tions and Installations kept this silly Dol
ores in a dream like that of a child all
these weeks since we got rid Of that imp
J of Satan, Concha Cabezos of Seville?'
You have-you have indeed done well,
Tia" said the man soothing1y, land you
will find me by no means ungrateful. But
| then I must go and look for my drunken
good-for-nothing of a brother, who has
doubtless stolen the key Of the wine cellar,
and is at his old tricks again."
well, at any rate, l insist upon that
string of beads" said the old woman.
greedily. II have been thinking of it all
these days and do not forget that 1t was
l who wormed out Of the widow the hiding
place where that cunning little Concha had
placed Ramon Garcia's strong box
"There-take 1t, them" said the man i'm :
patiently, and a heavy string of beads was
slid across the table with a clanking noise.
ar a ChrfS
tan, Tia!
"Oh, It is not that" chuckled the bag,
clutching the necklace firmly, as starving
dog might fall on a bone, and concealing it
instantly beneath her skirts. "But each
link hath the stamp of Seville upon It
the mint stamp Of Seville-and win pass
current for a good duro wherever one may
chance to be. With that necklace one can
never be In want"
WELL" said Luis. ''the devil fly away
| with you and 1t, Tia! I keep all the orna-
ments of gold-let that be understood. My
wife might, upon an occasion. take q
yearning for them. and IL had them not
to give her, 1t might be to the danger OF
my house and succession. So this gold
CROSS
(..My mother'sr breathed Ramon holly
'"This knife with the hilt top set in bril-
liants!
| (.'My fathers-he had 1t from the great
Lor' Wellington for message he brought
him at Vittoria-")
"Hhese trifies-a pair Of earrings. a ring
Of pearls. comb for the hair In gold-all
| these reserve for myself"
~ he spoke he tossed them onA After the