Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1904-09-02

that of Maria de Padilla, and he no.
ticed that she looked at him with deep
meaning. With an almost impercepti-
BILE movement Of her head she let her
glance fall on spot about FIVE feet
from the dais, where the polished oak
floor shone like mirror.
His eyes followed hers, and there;
cast on the waxed surface, he saw a
face. 1t was the face of the man who
sat upon the throne, that of his august
majesty, Dom Pedro himself. Bewil-
dered, he sought her eyes again
Again the meaning look crossed her
features, and now her glance was
turned to little tapestry-hung door
that led from the hall at the right
hand side of the throne. He watched
her narrowly, and saw that the in
scription, broidered in large, black let
ters on the hangings' lower end,
seemed to hold her attention The
tapestry itself was a crude bit OF
work. On white charger, King AL
fonso the Wise, surrounded by his
knights, watched the hangman fling
ing into the flames of the Toledan bon
fire the sacred books of the Mozarabic
ritual Beneath, ran the staring gothic
letters of the inscription, 10 que
hace ell rey, es bien hecho" (That
which the king does, is we'll done).
Again her eyes returned to the reflec-
ton on the floor, and Don Diego un-
derstood The little pantomime had
taken but few minutes, yet it was
another man who stood before the
monarch now. Everything was clear
to him. The old woman had said that
the unknown assassin was fairShaired.
The kings mistress had unmistakably
pointed out his reflection on the pol
| ished surface of the oak, and the in
scription completed the chain OF cir
| cumstantial evidence. The bland,
smiling monster on the throne was
the slayer, and secure in the knowl-
edge of the others ignorance, was
gloating over the prospect OF his ap-,
| preaching end. There was only one
| possible way in which he might save
| himself.
Once moro he bowed to the throne.
81 have but one request to make OF
your majesty" he cried. Give me "a
hours, and Don Sanchos murderer
swings from the gallows in the Plaza
de San Francisco. Your majesty shall
see him face to face"
The kings smile grew and broad
ened. Was ever comedy more anus
| ing.
Can you offer us this proof of your
| vigilance and skill? How happily shall!
| be relieved of my VOW" he an
swered, "and what is more, you shall
have from the royal treasure grant
of 10000 duros of gold the better to
maintain your high Office as governor
of Seville"
Il thank you with all my heart fol
this boon. Your majesty shall not be
disappointed was Don Diego's re-
joinder, as he backed from the roya
presence. The sitting was over, and
king and courtiers repaired to the COO
gardens of the alcazar for rest ant
refreshment..
The morning dawned, but the al
cayde had not been idle. A skilled arti
ficer in the Moorish quarter had fash
ioned a cunning image of the king
his very double in every respect, ever
to the color of his hair, and this dunn
my now swayed and dangled from th'
lofty gibbet in the Plaza de San Fran
cisco, filling the gaping crowd will
wonder and delight, not unmixed
however, with some secret fear. Tn
alcayde, together with his officials
reined their steeds toward the right o
the high wooden platform, along tn
way the royal cortege would have t
take.
They had not long to wait, for tn
kings curiosity had been aroused i
the highest degree. Near the tent
hour, announced by the blare of trum
pet and atabal, preceded by steel-cla
men-at-arms, and surrounded by
glittering throng of lords and noble;
himself on huge black charger, Dor
Pedro appeared. A cloak of dar
crimson velours set off his costume c
black silk, the ostrich plume tina
curled gracefully round his barrett wa
fastened by the great balas ruby, fo
which he had shamelessly slain hi
guest, the Moorish king of Grenada
and the gold-inlaid trappings of hi
destrier shone like fire in the brigh
, sunlight. Followed by his train, h
swept along until the foot of the gal
; lows was reached, then reined in hi
,, mount and looked aloft. There wa
an instant and universal hush. A he
, flush rose to his pallid cheeks, on
hand tightened on the reins, while tn
other half-drew the jewelled dagge
that hung at his belt. But he cor
trolled his emotion, and motioned Do
Diego to approach. The alcayde, bow
ing to his horses flowing name, dre'
near.
: "Senor Alcayde," the king sal,
slowly. "you are beyond doubt I'll
most daring man in my dominions
but since justice has been done l al
satisfied. Your grant shall be mao
out in form tomorrow"
Again Don Diego bent to his horse
name, then, lifting his hand he erie
in laundering tones: Long live Dol
Pedro, the Just king"