Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-17
CHAPTER XXI.
His Mothers ROsary.

1t was, as the soldier had said truly, a
cold morning to be shot in. But the Car
lists, accustomed to Cabrera's summary
methods appeared to think but little Of the
matter, and TESTED as the firing parties were
selected and drawn out
ITO the garden!' whispered Luis Fer
nadez to Cabrera.
ITO the garden!' commanded the gen.
eral, lighting new cigarette and putting
vigorously. and at this point 1 may as
well bid you goodbye, gentlemen. 1 wish
our acquaintance had been pleasanter But
the fortune of war, gentlemen!"
Not one of them uttered a word. John
Mortimer, seeing there was now no chance
OF making his thousand pounds, set an
example Of unbending dignity. He knew
that the eyes of many were upon him, and
he resolved not to shame the performance
Etienne faced his death like the son of
an ancient race and a good Catholic. He
could not have a confessor, but he said his
prayers, committed his soul to God and
the Virgin, and faced the black muzzles
not greatly abaShed.
AS for Ell Sarria, death was his metier
his familiar friend. He had lived with him
for years as man with a wife, rising I'D
and lying down, eating and breathing in
his company. Dolores and her babe were
safe. He asked no more
And not less readily fell into line Rollo
Blair. The young Scot clicked his heels to-
gether as If on parade. and strobe out with
head erect and squared shoulders in the
rear of his companions.
The four men stood In order, Mortimer
and Etienne in the middle with slim Rollo
and the giant Ramon towering on either
flank.
Load with ball - at six PAGES - make
ready"
The officers commands rang out with a
certain haste, for he could already hear
the Gathering of the horses of the generals
he hot It..
arrival he had not carried out his orders
he might expect a severe reprimand.
But 1t was not the generals suite that
rode so furiously The sound came from a
contrary direction. Two horses were be-
ing ridden at speed, and at sight Of the
four men set in order against the wall the
foremost rider sank her spurs into her
white mare and dashed forward with a
wild cry.
The officer already had his sword raised
In the air, the falling of which was to be
the signal for the VClley of death But
1t did not fall. Something in the aspect
of the rider as she swept up parallel with
the low garden wall, her hair floating dis
ordered about her shoulders, her ewes
black and shining like stars the sheaf
of papers she waved in her hand, all com
PEELED him to suspend that last irreyocabIe
order.
1t was Concha Cabezos who came when
the eleventh hour vas long past and leaned
from her reeking horse opposite the place
of execution. With her, wild-hared as a
Maenad, rode La Giralda, cross legged
like a man.
General Cabrera! Where is General Ca
brera?' cried Concha. Il must see him
instantly. These are no traitors They
are true men and In the service Of Don
Carlos. Here are their papers,
Where is Ramon Cabrera? Tell me
quickly" cried La Giralda. II have news
for him. / was with his mother when she
died. Let me Ramon Cabrera, whom
of old sucked at my breasts!"
Round the angle OF the Mill House swept
the general and mis- staff, brilliant in scar
abundant gold lace
AS his eyes fell on the row Of men, dark
against the dusky adobe of the garden
wall. and on the two pale women, dark
frown overspread his face.
What Is the meaning of this?" he cried
WHY have you not obeyed your instruc-
lions? Why are these men not dead?"
The officer trembled and began an ex-
plantation, pointing to Concha and La Cir
aida. both of whom stood for a moment
motionless. Then, flinging herself over the
low wall of the garden as II her years had
more nearly approached seventeen than
seventy, La Giralda caught the great man
by the stirrup.
Little Ramon, Ramon Cabrera" she
cried, have you forgotten your old nurse
La Giralda of Seville. your mothers gos-
sip, your own playmate?'
The general turned full upon her. with
the quick. Indignant threat of one who
considers himself duped in his countenance
1t had gone Ill with La Giralda If she had
not been able to prove her case, but she
held something in her hand, the sight of
which brought the Butcher of Tortosa
down from his saddle as quickly as If
Christine bullet had pierced him to the
heart.
MY mothers rosary!" he cried, and sink
Ing on his knees. he devoutly received and
kissed 1t. He abode thus a moment look
ing up to the sky-he. the man who had
waded In blood during six years of bitter
warfare.
And these" said Cabrera. do you
know these dogs, La Giralda?"
La Giralda drew quick breath Would
the hold she had over him be sufficient for
what she was about to ask?
These are no traitors, general" she
said: they are true men and deep in the
councils of the cause
She bent and whispered In his ear words
which others could not hear. The face
of the Carlist general darkened from a dun
pink to purple and then his color ebbed