The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-18
CHAPTER xxi.
When Friends Desert.


Unable to sit still. went for a short
walk and when I was returning l met
Martin.
You saw the senorita ?" he inquired.
a saw her and informed her that her
uncle was in the city. which information
she certainly seemed glad to receive"
He looked at me in a strange kind of
way. half smiling. and then he looked
down at the ground. / confess that /
could not understand the fellow.
did you know that It was her idea
that the party Of troopers we cut in
ahead Of when we kidnapped her were
TO rescue her-in other words. that It
was a planned elopementT'
Il did not know IL was. and, what Is
more. I do not now believe II was an
elopementr' I replied. hotly.
That does not alter the facts in tho
case in the least" he said. with a pecu-
liar. nervous smile. She would have
interference
! ] wondered II there was not come
truth in what he told me. II Don Luis
was the senorita's accepted lover, It
would account for her GOODNESS toward
me It would also explain Don Luis
eagerness 10 learn where she was, ami
| lis hurrying on 10 La Puebla.
! Certainly. there was some foundation
for the story or II would not be mat
! ter OF gossip with the officers OF his
regiment. But while this explanation
seemed to make clear TO my mind some
things 1 could not before understand,
It left great weight upon my heart
The senorita had been enhancing
/ when had seen her an hour before.
and I painfully realized what II was to
lose ner.
Don Luis was. know. handsom>
fellow. and. In spite OF his hot temper.
one who was likely to captivate a iris
heart. And II was an adventurer,
With Mr.. Melrose's GOODNESS. and what
I had heard from Martin and others. il
was hard 10 accept good-naturedly the
situation found myself in.
You know what you have said 20 be
true2" 1 asked
I have it from the senorita's own
lips"
half believed that the fellow was Iy-
ing TO me.
What DO you expec; to dor he made
bold to ask.
I DO not know" I replied.
You must know that you are not
safe here. now Don Luis is here"
Don't mention HIS name to me-" l
broke in
81 was merely going to ask"
ASK what?" I inquired. as he did not
finish.
You will meet him7' ne said, and
: as I thought, with something like ex-
lpectancy.
II do not know that I shall meet
, him" l replied. AT least. I have no
desire TO meet him. I do not like the
|. fellow"
That is very natural" he said. -
understand that he is a good shot"
"Oh. you think that I will have 20
fight himi Is that it?' I inquired.
1T may be avoided. but / thought it
t well to mention the matter to YOU" he
explained.
81 am much obliged 10 you" 7 said,
= nut think your warning unneces-
. sary."
[ You will not meet him."
II cannot say what l will do
He made no reply. but walked along
with me, his hands In his pocket, kick
, Ing now and then at the paving stones.
I I had noticed that he was dressed much
better than I had ever seen him dressed
t before
What are you doing he7e?" asked
= abruptly.
What am I doing2' he repeated. as
q though surprised at the question. "Oh
D waiting. ! did not know about your
D coming back-whether you would want
me or not. can arrange to enter the
t army again as a surgeon"
D Then you had better do so" I re,
v piled. How much do l owe you?
have some money about me-"
j We'll" he said, hesitating. you LEI
me have some money when you left.
n paid the bills at the hotel, and settled
with Jose. 1 am willing to keep tn,
e rest and call IT even"
= told him that l was satisfied II n,
was. and asked him to come In anc
e have dinner with me at the hotel. bu
be made an excuse, and did not stay.
e l ate dinner alone. and then waiteC
& for the senorits. could not believe sh,
l would not come. The doctor came agar
in the aftcrnOon-soon after dinner. II,
informed me that Mr.. Meirose's condi
L ton was not changed. but that the feve
7. had increased a little.
u 1 walked the gallery, and then wen
L out on the street. Finally a carriaE
drove I'D 20 the hotel, and I saw tina
T ! it was the senorita at last
I quickly sprang forward to assist.
Eyes, yes have her come in" he re
6 piled. But first help me to sit up"
I assisted him TO rise. placing a pillow
behind his back. He was very weak
j. and the least exertion tired him.
He IS ready to see you" 1 informe,
= the senorita. and she followed me int
, the room
J. She entered with little nervousness
a glancinE quickly about her.