Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-10-05

capturing the Princess Isabel Rollo rescues
Isabel and starts with her for the hermitage
which is threatened by gypsy brigands. and
bodies Of plague victims are posted sentinels.
Rolo, aided by Concha, restores the princess
to the queen and Is, betrothed to Concaa.
CHAPTER XI-Continued.
And the girl stood before him almost ere
his voice had ceased to echo along the
corridors. Silent she waited his pleasure.
For this time it was not Rollo. upon whose
love for her the new sun had risen, who
had called her. but Coli Rollo Blair. the
chief of the expedition of which she was an
insignificant part.
You are armed?' he queried. as she fol-
lowed him within the door and her quick
eyes took in the scene
The girl nodded a little resentfully. Sure
ly it was a superfiuous question. An An
dalusian maiden, whose lovers life Is in
danger every hour. always goes armed.
Then" said Rollo firmly, you will ac-
company this gentleman to the apartments
of the queen regent You will permit him
ten minutes private conversation with her
majesty in your presence You will then
accompany him back. During his absence
he is not to lay his hand upon any weap-
on, have any personal contact with the
queen or open any drawer, cabinet or case
of arms. Also he is to return with you as
soon as you INFORM MIN that the time dllOt-
ted is at end. Here is my watch!''
And If the senior should refuse to comply
with any of these demands?" suggested
C0ncha.
He will not refuse" answered Rollo but
II the thing should happen, why you have
full discretion You understand"
Coucha nodded and her lips, ordinarily so
sweet and yielding. hrmed themselves with
determination She understood. So did
MunOZ.
You do not need to say more" she said,
clearly, I am an Andalusian,''
ROllo turned to Munoz.
You have heard he said "treachery
viii do you no good. and may, indeed, sud
denly deprive her reigning majesty of the
measurable consolation of your companion
ship Be good enough to accompany this
young lady. sir, In ten minutes 1 shall ex-
pect your return with a favorable answer.
Permit them 10 pass Don Ramonr'
But the consort Of the Queen Regent Ma
ria Christina fingered his chin uncertainty
without moving, and Rollo's brow darkcn:
ed omin0usly, while the sergeant began to
look hopeful. Neither were in the mood to
put up calmly with any refusal or hesi;a-
ton.
Il am quite wilIing-nay, even anxious to
oDhge you, said Munoz. 81 would gladly
undertake the commission. but-but-I'
He stopped as if searching for words.
stiu. however. rubbing his chin.
But whate' Numbered RoIIo. The blood
OF the fighting Blairs was rising
Well. to put the matter plainly, I have
condition before You would not have me
go as ] am?''
I'm what condition." cried the Scot in
great establishment ----
'tnShaven. and with nv hair undressed
That idiot there pointing to the trembling
valet split the water just when you came
Nay" laughed Rollo, much relieved that
mere was to be no shedding of blood, lin
deed you must forgive him for that FL
Sarrfa there is entirely to blame And on
this occasion / trust that her most Catho-
nc majesty Will pardon the informally of
your appearance. You can point out to her
mat you come, not on your own part but
as the ambassador of others, who were
somewhat oyer-earnest in persuading YOU
l am sure that my two friends here will
snare with me the very serious RESPONSE
bilty OF your unshaVen chin"
mat l snail not fail to represent to her
majesty, said the duke. bowling imperturb-
And without any further affections ba
went out. followed by Concha And thar
young lady with all that weight of re-
sPohslDllty swelling in pride under the
crossed folds Of her rebozo did not youch-
safe even SO much as one glance to RolIo
but passed her comma nding officer with
eyes IKE those OF a rear-rank man on ma
cue; nNeo immovably on the broad back
OF Senior MunoZ. As soon as thew were
a4one- however. she moved up alongside
lingering her pistol butt significantly. For
TINS little Concha was quite resolved to use
treachery be tntended-aye, or even the ap-
pearance of II. ~
During their absence the remaining ouar
Tel IN the chamber of Don Fernando Mu-
noz held their ground without a word Of
mutual converse Rollo stared out of the
wlnoow and listened to the slamming of
doors and the far-away' murmur of voices
IN the direction of the royal apartments
IN straintng silence, acute, almost to
breaking point. they waited. Yet some
tnlhs OF the epic's argument came to them
even at that distanee-a shrill woman's
voice yehemently debating, then a bass
mutter OF masculine argument, a quick
stamp, distinctly feminine, upon the floor.
then the siammfng- OF a door and on the
back or that the sound of returning foot
steps.
The queen refuses to receive Won. 7
am sorry TO inform you, gentlemenr' said
the duke That did my best. this lady
VIII bear me witness. But having had no
opportunity of private conference with her
majesty l was unable Gas indeed | aDtic,-
pated) to effect anything to the purposer'
RoIlo turned to Concha without wasting
words on his former ambassador
Return to the queens chamber" he
SAID. and inform her majesty that we will
wait her pleasure here for another te;,
minutes And II. by the end OF that time.
We are not honored with visit from her
majesty. we shall most reluctantly and
with al respect be compelled to shoot Sc
nor Fernando Munoz whose person we
hold as hostage for her majesty's com.
plaisanee In the affair we have under
TAKEN We can waste more time.
toncnas lips became more rigid than
ever They looked as If they never would
should or could be kissed. Juno herself.
passing sentence upon the partner of great