Evening star., 1901-08-10

blurred and indistfnct. Red roofs, green
shutters, dark window squares took on the
| same shade OF indistinguishable purple.
| In the Mill House Of Sarria they were not
| Idle Ramon Garcia and RolIo had con-
| where. on a light and plant framework of
| the great bulrush canes that grew along
the canal edges, her mattress might be
laid.
Very gently, and, as it were, in one piece,
like a swaddled infant, Dolores was lifted
! up upon the hastily arranged ambulance.
The four bearers fell in. La Giralda locked
| the doors OF the Mill House, and by cir
cuftous route which avoided the village and
| It's barking ours they proceeded in the di-
rection of the convent buildings.
| AS often as the foot OF any of the bear
| ers slipped upon a stone Ramon grew sick
| with apprehension, and In a whisper over
MS shoulder he would inquire of Dolores If
all was well.
IAN is well, beloved" the voice, weak
and feeble. would reply. "You are here
you are not angry with me. Yes. all Is
They moved slowly through the darkness,
La Giralda with many grooming encourage
ments waiting upon Dolores, now lifting up
| the corner of coverlid and now anxiously
They were soon passing under the eastern
side of the convent
"Ah, can smell them," murmured John
Mortimer; "a hundred tons, If not more. I
wonder II could not tackle the old lady
| tonight about thern?'
At last they were at the little white cowl
OF the porter's lodge, out of which the
| BLACK bars of the wicket grinned with q
semblance of CHASTITY mirth.
Rollo knocked gently. The panel slid back
noiselessly and there was the face OF Con-
cha Cabezos dimly revealed. No longer
mischievous, or even piquant, but drawn
and pale with anxiety.
There are bad people here" she whis-
pered who have persuaded ...e lady su-
perior that you are impoSters She will not
receive or keep Dolores Garcia unless she
is satisfied
"What?" came from the rear in thun-
Hush, I bid you! commanded Rollo
sternly. Remember you have put this in
my hands" And the outlaw fell back ST.
| fenced for the moment, his heart, however
| revolving death and burnings
| Trust me with your papers-your Gre
dentials." said Concha quickly. these viii
convince con M,, her l will bring them to you at
| the Mil House tomorrow morningr
Rollo ran his knife round the stitching of
MS coat where he carried these sacredest
possessions.
There he said, "remember-do not let
them out Of your sight moment 1 am
your hands,"
~ II will cherish them as the most precious
thing in the world. And now 1 will go and
snow them to the Lady Superior
| Not till you have taken in my Dolores,
as as you promised" came the voice of FL
| convent to the ground. She shall not be
| left here in the damp dews Of the night"
| NO, no., whispered Concha, ''she shall
oe lald IN the ledge of the Fortress, ami La
Giraida shall watch her till her own CHAM
Der is prepared, and have eaSed the mind
| OF the Lady Superior"
Inc great bars were drawn. The bolts
| gave back with many creakings, and
| through the great black gap of the main
| gate they carried Dolores into the warm
| tiower-scented darkness of the FORTRESS
| lodge.
! She was laid on bed. and the moment
after Concha turned earnestly upon the
| four men.
Now 60" she said, this instant.
backr
Can I not stay with her tonight?" plead
ed FL Sarria, keeping the limp hand. wet
| with chill perspiration, close in his
GO, go, l say!' said Concha. Go or 1t
! may be too late. See yonder."
And on a hill away to the wes. a REQ
Light burned for long moment ana then
vanished.
The three young men went out, but Ell
Sarrla fingered, kneeling by his wifa,s bed-
side. Rollo went back and touched him on
! his shoulder.
You must come with us-for hcr sake"
he said And he pointed with his finger.
| And obediently at his word the giant arose
| and went out. Rollo followed quickly, but
as he went a little palm fell on his arm
| and low voice whispered in his ear:
| You trust me, do you not?'
ROllo lifted Concha's hand from his
| sleeve and kissed it.
What more?' queried Concha.
With my friends lives" he answered.
And as he went out with no other word
| Concha breathed sigh softly and turned
! toward Dolores. She felt somehow as IL
the tables were being turned upon her, :.
| Outside there was a kind Of waiting hush
| IN the air. an electric tension of expecta-
| tion. or SO, at least, it seemed 10 Rollo.
AS they marched along the road toward
! the Mill House they saw ruddy glow to-
ward the south
Something is on fire there" said John
| Mortimer.
They are more like campf1res behind
the hills" commented Etienne, from lis
| larger experience. II think we had better
clear out tonight"
THAT" said Rollo, firmly. 'is impossible
| so far as am concerned. I must wait at
! the Nell House for the papers. But do You
| three go on, and will rejoin you tomor-
| row."
Il will stay said Ell Sarria, as soon as
And t. cried Etienne, shall it be said
that St. Pierre ever forsook a friendT'
And l." said John Mortimer. ito look
after the onions"
The Mil House was silent and dark as
they had left it.
Let us go and see that all is right
said Rollo, and led the way into the large
| room where they had found Luis Fernan-
dez. He walked up to the window, dim.
oblong Of blackness, only less Egyptian
| than the chamber itself. He stopped to
StTlkc his IllII anu Stee4 tOSeIn6r into DIS
tinder box, and even as the small, gilt
tering point winked Rollo felt his throat
grasped back and front by different pairs
of hands, while others clung to his knees
and brought him 20 the ground.
"Treachery-out with you, lads-into the
openv' he cried to his companions, as well
as he could for the throttling fingers
But behind him there arose the sound OF
a mighty combat. Furniture was ovcrset
or broken with sharp, crashing noise as
1t was trampled underfoot.
"Show light there" cried q quick voice.
In tone of command.
A lantern was brought from an inner
room, and there on the floor, in the grasp
of their captors, were Ramon Garcia. still
heaving with his mighty exerttons, and
Rollo the Scot, who lay very quiet SO soon
as he had assured himself that present re-
sistance would do no good.
Bring in the Others" commanded the
voice again. land let us see what the
dogs look like"
Mortimer and Etienne. having been cap
tured in the hall, while trying to unlock
the outer door, were roughly hauled into
the room. Rollo was permitted to rise,
but the giant was kept on his back while
they fastened him up securely with ropes.
Then Luis Fernandez came In, an evil
dar ham foc he