Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-09-28
Copyright, 1901, by s. R. Crockett.)
Y

vilest names at them. mounted the steps
herself with the utmost boldness and confl-
dence.
Il will teach you," she screamed. Il, a
girl and alone, will show you what sacks OF
straw We are frightened of. Do We not know
that the great prize is here? Within this
very house, behind those defenSeless Win
dows and cardboard doors the Queen of
Spain whose ransom is worth twice 10000
duroS, if your coward hearts dared not shed
her black Bourbon bloodi Behold!'
1t was only by craning far out over the
parapet $50 far, indeed. that he might easily
have been discovered from below had there
been any to look) that Rollo was able to see
what followed. But every eye was fixed on
the girl.
The girl spurned the fallen face cloth
with her bare foot. and, catching the body
of the dead man in her arms, she dragged
1t out of it's niche and cast it down the steps
upon which it lay all abroad, half revealed
and hideOus in the morning light. This
done, rushing back as swiftly and with the
same volcanic energy to the occupant of
the other niche, she hurled him by main
force after his companion. Then, painting
and wan, her single tattered garment half
rent from her fiat, ill-nourished body she
lifted one arm aloft in triumph and cried:
There. you dogs, that is what you were
afraid OFF,
But even as she stood thus revealed in
the morning light a low murmur of terror
and establishment ran around all who saw
her. For in the struggle the girl had I'M
COFeTeu HeT SHOulueT anu breast, anu there,
upon her young and girlish skim appeared
the dread irregular blotches which betrayed
the worst and most deadly form Of the dis
ease.
''The black plague! The black plaguer
shrieked the throng of besegers, surging
this way and that like flock Of sheep
which strange dogs drive as with wild and
shrill cries they turned and fled headlong
toward the mountains.
The girl, speechless with wrath, and per-
haps also with the death sickness far adj
vanced within her, took step forward
as if to follow them. But forgetful of
where she stood. she missed her footing,
fell headlong and lay across the dead SEN
tinel whom she had first dragged from his
post.
The Basque looked over Rolo's shoulder
and pointed downward with a certain dread
solemnity.
What did 1 tell you?" he said, 1.-The
finger of God! The finger of God hath
touched her, Let us go down. The sun
will be above the horizon in twenty min
utes."
Had we not better waltz urged Rollo,
they may return. Think of our response
bility, of our feeble defenses, ef-"
of Concha," he was about to say, but
checked himself and added quietly, ''of the
little queen"
The monk crossed himself with infinite
calm.
They will not return" he said. ct is
our duty to lay these in the quiet earth
ere the sun rise. There is no infection to
De feared I'LL dI HOuT dlleT SuIIlSe.
But the girl, the daughter of Munoz?"
said Rollo. did not she take the disease
from the dead?"
Nay" said the Basque, 'I have often
beheld the smtten of the plague. like that.
1t works SO upon very many. For a time
they are, as it were, possessed with seven
devils and the strength of man Is vain
against them. They snap strong cords
Then-puff! Comes a breath of morning
air. chill from the Sierra, and they are
gone. They were-and they are not! The
finger of God hath touched them. So it
Il will follow you!' said Rollo, awe
stricken, in spite of himself Tell me
what 1 am to do!'
In silence Rollo permitted himself to be
covered with an armor of freshly tarred
cloth. which was considered in Spain at
that time to be a complete protection
against plague infection. The monk Teo-
doro was proceeding to array himself in
like manner, when Concha appeared beside
them and held out her hands for the
gauntlets.
The little princess is asleep" she said,
eagerly. Il am strong. | have as good
a right to serve God as either of you-and
as great a needn'
The Basque gazed at her curiously. TO
the eye she appeared mere boy in her
pages dress, but there was at all times
something irresistibly attractive about Con-
cha's face. Now her lips quivered selsi-
lively, but her eyes were steady. She con-
t1nued to hold out her hands.
II demand that you permit me to serve
Cod" she cried to Brother Teodoro.
The monk shrugged his shoulders with
plying gesture and looked from one to the
other.
You are youngI pray you Think
urged the Basque. There is great dan
ger! Look at that maid there and what
she hath brought on herself"
''Ahi' said Concha, softly-so softly in
deed as to be almost inaudible-'but the
difference is that she did this thing for
ate-while-I-I-"
She did not finish her sentence, but rails
ing her eyes, wet with the seldom coming
tears to those of the stern-faced brother,
she said instead Give me the dress and
let us be gone The sun Is risingl'
IF you are indeed determined you shall
have that of Brother Domingo" said Teo-
doro. He was of little more than your
height. and died. not of the plague but
simply from doing his duty"
Then let me die in no other wayi" said
Concha putting it on happily as another
maiden might dress for a ball.
These three went out to their terrible
task, and as they were Harvesting the bull
lock cart once more and spreading clean
cloth over 1t Rollo moved In his heart of
hearts, came near. Neved did two such
lovers as they meet more strangely ar
rayed. Yet he laid his black gauntlet
which Brother Teodoro did not hear, as he
took good care to be busted about the
straps and harnessings.
Il do not think that Love will let us die
yet" he said.
THAT is a prayer Amenw said Concha
In whisper, lifting her eyes to his
1t was strange betrothing, and little
said. But when at last he put the OK goad
in her hands Concha knew that the night
had indeed passed away and that the morn
ing was come.
CHAPTER xxx.