The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-11


reason-perhaps because was so much
at a loss to account for her leaving me.
and not anxious to make explanations
knew not how TO malxe-I had said little
about her.
Then. too. there are affairs which
seem to be Of such a personal nature
as, for instance, In this case having re-
ceived a rebuff from the young lady
that one hesitates TO speak about them
But now. in answer to his inquiry. l re-
lated most of what had occurred. omit
ting nothing that l thought would be
Of Importance. even repeating TO him
our conversation. 1 also told him the
part of the monk, Fray Igncminious,
had played, especially how he had fol-
lowed my footsteps and at last sue
ceeded in securing my arrest and i'm
prisonment.
l said nothing about Don Luis, nor
did l mention meeting him. as did not
like to speak Of one who seemed TO be
my rival. Besides. the differences which
had arised between us seemed to be al
most Of a personal nature.
And you say that you were arrested
at la Puebla, and then brought back?''
he asked. so this is how Il came about
that you were at the capital?"
1T Is"
And before you were arrested. you
learned that Teresa had left the hotel?''
Il was so Informed by my man Mar
tin ] replied Il had no reason TO
doubt the truth OF what he told me-"
You think this man Martin you
| speak of is trustworthy?
Certainly I do" I answered II have
implicit confidence in him.
fc ba
anything 70 do with your being arrested,
or that he induced Teresa to go away?"
Il do not think So 1 replied. Il am
convinced that he knew nothing of NV
arrest until after it had been made
Then you believe It was the monk,
| Fray Ignominious, who induced her to
go away?'
| II do and that he knew where she
went" I said. He followed us to La
| Puebla. and l learned afterward from
his own lips that he was the person who
! informed on me and had me arrested. q"
She left no word?''
None that I know Of I should have
/ thought. though she would not have
| gone as she did"
There are many religious houses in
the city, and it is possible that she
may have gone to one Of these" he sug-
/ gcsted. But for that matter. her ex-
! perience In the past and the objections
she has always made to entering a
convent are against such a proposition.
/ We do not know the circumstances
which led TO her leaving the hotel. and
/ as for their nunneries and converts, I
am prejudiced against them"
4 do not say that she did not act
! wisely" l replied. las things turned
out-I being arrested-it was perhaps the
best that she did not remain at the
hotel"
Yes, yes, because we cannot tell what
would have occurred. She moy be with
friends and well cared for The
monk. Fray Ignomlnious. he Is dead. you
say?"
II think there can be no question but
what he is dead" L answered
ct is the hand OF God, And God be
praised!' exclaimed Mr.. Melrose.
could have said amen to this. I. in
particular. had reason to he thankful
for Fray IgnominiOus' death
But there are others who viii oppose
u.s. he said. did It ever happen that
you met one Don Luis Robolo? I have
heard his name mentioned in connection
! with that Of my niece"
1 was about TO say that I had met
him. when he continued:
ct is not strange TO say that should
have admirers, but he is a"
/ think he was about to say Span
lard but. looking up, he saw Don Cor
TINA. He had got some distance ahead
OF rs while we were talking. had drawn
rein, and was waiting for US somewhat
impatiently.
IF we proceed IN this leisurely fash
ion," ne said. I'VE may expect 10 he
! Cvertaken. or, do you want 20 give
those rascals another chance at us?" he
| asked. turning TO me.
The rascals have had their chance, -
replied. And as for being in a hurry.
We will reach La Puebla In good time. "
1--WE VIII be lucky IL we reach there
at all" he retorted. THE more I think
Of it. the more I am satisfied that we
made a great mistake in leaving them
10 follow us. The cutthroats,-they are
a bad lot Did you mark the cunning
in their chiefs eye? I would have
He stopped suddenly, Something
across the valley had attracted his at
tention. looked up just in time to see
a horseman disappear over the ridge.
end very soon two others followed him.
They were Mexicans. and were armed
| but further than that I could not tell.
! Their appearance caused Don Cortinia
| some Tneasiness.
Bandits" he muttered. What did
I tell your" We are not yet out Of the
| woods"
/ ] endeavOred TO laugh at the idea that
the men were bandits, for I saw that
what he said had caused Mr.. Melrose
much alarm; and, in truth, ! did not
believe that We would be attacked. We
were well armed. and could make a
good fight It was probable that the
men we saw were herders, and came
from the hacienda; or they might be
travellers like ourselves.
But we pushed ahead a little faster
than we had been doing. As we drew
up our horses again, 1 noticed that Mr.
Melrose was looking pale and tired
/ seemingly keeping his seat in the saddle
with difficulty.
This will not do for you TO travel
without breakfast" I said. turning &c
him. You are ill already"
Il have not been WELL" he replied
but do not concern yourself on my ac-
count. We Will keep on. 1 am anxious
20 reach La Puebla as soon as pos
sible"
4 ssT+ ,,a,, 10 4ba+ Ceror w. -