Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-07

senOrlta row received her Gift, L said,
and the Ola negro inclined his head lower
still.
l shut my door and buried my face in the
pillows of the state bed. Ny mental an
guish was excessive; action alone could
relieve 1t. l must have fallen suddenly
asleep, because there was lion in front of
me. And the lion produced a strange noise
he opened his jaws like door. 1 sat up.
glare filled my eyes. In the wide door
way OF my room, in group of attendants
l saw figure in a short black cloak stand
Ing, hat in hand, and an arm outstretched
1t was Don Balthasar. Stifed sounds of
weeping, a vast. confused rumor of lam
entations, running feet and slamming DOORS
came from behind him; his aged, dry voice,
much firmer and very distinct, was speak
ing to me.
You summoned to attend the bed
side of Don Carlos Riego at the hour of
death, to help his soul struggling on the
threshold of eternity with your prayers-as
kinsman and a friend"
"A great draught swayed the lights about
that black and courtly figure. All the
windows and doors of the palace had been
flung open for the departure of the strug
Cling soul. Don Balthasar turned
the group of attendants was gone in a mo-
ment, with tramp of feet and jostling of
lights In the long gallery.
L ran out after them. A wavering glare
came from under the arch, and, through
the open gate, 1 saw the bulky shape of
the bishops coach waiting outside in the
to step down the middle of the broad
white stairs. The staircase was brilliantly
lighted and quite empty The household
was crowding the upper galleries; the Sob
bling murmurs of their voices fell into the
deserted patio.
The door of Carlos room stood wide
open; 1 saw the many candles on table
covered with white linen, the side of the
big bed, surpliced figures moving within
the room. There was the ringing of small
bells and signing groans from the kneeling
forms in the gallery through which l was
making my way slowly.
Castro appeared at my side suddenly.
"Senor," he began, with saturnine stol-
cism, "he is dead. 1 have seen battle
fields His voice broke.
/ saw, through the large portal OF the
death chamber, Don Balthasar and Sera-
pima standing at the foot of the bed; the
bowed heads of two priests; the bishop,
tiny old man in his vestments and rather
Antonio, burly and motionless, with his
chin in his hand, as If left behind after
leading that soul to the very gate of eter-
nifty. All about me women and men were
crossing themselves; and Castro, who for
a moment had covered his eyes with his
hand, touched my elbow.
land you live he said, with somber
emphasis; then. warningly, You are IN
great danger now.
1 looked around, as if expecting to see
an uplifted knife. 1 saw only lot of peo-
ple-household negroes and the women
rising from their knees Below the patio
was empty.
'aThe house is defenseless," Castro con-
tinued.
We heard tumultuous voices under the
gate.
O'Brien appeared in the doorway of
Carlos room with an attentive and dis
mayed expression on his face. do not
really think he had anything to do with
what then took place He meant to have
me killed outside; but the rabble. excited
by Manuers infiammatory speeches, had
that night started from the villages be-
low with the intention of clamoring for
my life Many of their women were with
them Some of the Lugarenos carried
torches, others had pixies, most of them,
however, had nothing but their long
knives. They came in disorderly, shout
ing mob along the beach, intending this
not for an attack, but as simple demon
stratiOn.
The sight of the open gate struck them
with wonder. The bishops coach blocked
the entrance. and for time they hesi-
tated, awed by the mystery of the house
and by the rites going on in there. Then
two or three holder spirits stole closer.
The bishops people, of course. did not
think of offering any resistance. The
very defenselessness of the house
strained the mob for while. A few more
men from the outside ran in. Several
women began to clamor scoldingly to
them to bring the Inglez out. Then the
men, encouraging each other in their au-
dacity, advanced further.
For time the motley group of bandits
stood in the light, as if intimidated by
the great dignity of the house. by the
mysterious prestige of the Casa whose
interior, probably, none of them had ever
seen before. They gazed about silently,
rs If surprised to find themselves there
1t looked as If they would have retired
II they had not caught sight of me- A
murmur of the Inglez" arose at once
By that time the household negroes had
occupied the staircase with what weapons
they could find upstairs.
Father Antonio IF
or the room and shook his arms over the
balustrade.
Impious men," he cried, "begone from
this house of death" His ewes flashed at
the ruff1ans, who stared stupidity from be-
low.
Give us the Inglez" they growled
Seraphinh from within, cried Juan"
l was then near the door, but not within
the room.
The Inglez! The hereto, The traitorp'
came in sullen, subdued mutter A hoarse
reckless voice shouted, Give him to US,
and we shall gor'
You are putting in danger all the lives
IN this house!' OBrien Kissed at me
Senorlta pray do not" He stood in the
way OF Seraphina, who wished to come
out. 0oiAie
1T is you"' she shouted .It is Won, II
iniQuityi" - 'o"i
He was confounded by her vehemence
3, no brought him here?" he stammered
Am to find one of that accursed brood
forever in my way? 1 take him to witness
that for your sake
formidable roar, Throw us down the
lnsiez. filled the patio. They were gain
ing assurance down there; and the fero-
CIouS clamorlng of the mob outside came
falntly upon our ears
o. rien barred the way. Don Balthasar
leaned ON his daughters arm-she very
straight with tears still on her face and
indignation in her eye, ne bent and with
MS immovable fine features set in the calm
ness of age. i
Don Balthasar, who seemed to have heard
nothirg, as If suddenly waking up to his
duty, left his daughter, and muttering to
y Brlen, Let me precede the bishop" came
cut oare-headeo, into the gallery Father,
ANTONIO had turned away and his heavy
hand Tell on OBrien's shoulder
have you no heart, no reverence. no
decency? he said. I'm the name of eyery-
thing YOU respect 1 call upon you to stop
this sacrilegious outbreak
y Brien shook off the priestly hand and
iiXed his eyes upon SeraphIna. 1 happened
TO be looking at his face; he seemed to
De ready to go out of his mind His 1eal-
ousy, the awful torment of soul and BODY
made him motionless and speechless
Seraphina, from within the room said
ustrade, the ruffians below had become ST.
lent Tor while. His aged, mechanical
voice was heard asking distinctly:
What do these people want?'
Seraphina from within the ROOM said
aloud, They are clamoring for the life of
our guest" She looked at O'Rrien can