The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-09-06
from the dais, where the polished oak.

lace. II was the face OF the man wh1
sat upon the throne. that of his angus;
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 a 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 a white charger. King Al
fonso the Wise, surrounded by his
knights, watched the hang-man 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 el rey, es bien hecho" CThat
which the king does. is well done).
I Again her eyes returned TO the refiec-
ton on the floor. and Don Diego un-
derstood. The little pantomime had
taken but a few minutes, yet IL was
( another man who stood before the
! monarch now. Everything was cleat
! to him. The old woman had said that
the unknown assassin was fair-haired.
! The kings mistress had Enthusiastically
! 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 knowi-
edge of the others ignorance, was
J gloating over the prospect of his ap-
I preaching end. There was only one
possible way in which he might save
himself.
Once more he bowed to the throne
81 have but one request to make o
your majesty" he cried. Give me 2!
hours. and Don Saneho's murderel
swings from the gallows in the Plazs
de San Francisco. Your majesty shal
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 you
vigilance and skill? How happily shall
be relieved of my VOW" he an
swered, land what is more. you shal
have from the royal treasure a gran
of 10000 duros of gold the better t
maintain your high Office as governo
Of Seville"
Il thank you with all my heart TO
this boon. Your majesty shall moi b
disappointed" was Don Diego's re
joinder. as he backed from the roys
presence. The sitting was over, an
king and courtiers repaired to the COO
gardens of the alcazar for rest an
refreshment.
The morning dawned, but the a
cayde had not been idle. A skilled art
fieer in the Moorish quarter had fash
ioned a cunning image OF the king
: his very double in every respect, eve
to the color Of his hair, and this dun
, my now swayed and dangled from tn
: lofty gibbet in the Plaza de San FraI
/, cisco. filling the gaping crowd wit
, wonder and delight, not unmiXe
however. with some secret fear. Tt
: alcayde, together with his official
!, refined their steeds toward the right I
the high wooden platform, along Il
q way the royal cortege would have
A take.
n They had not long to wait, for Il
= kings curiosity had been aroused
: the highest degree. Near the tent
n hour, announced by the blare of trur
A pet and atabal, preceded by steel-cls
a men-at-arms. and surrounded by
q glittering throng of lords and noble
himself on a huge black charger, Do
}, Pedro appeared. A cloak of dal
n crimson velours set of his costume
9 black silk, the ostrich plume tn
curled gracefully round his barrett WI
a fastened by the great balas ruby, 4
a which he had shamelessly slain
; guest. the Moorish king of Grenad
= and the gold-inlaid trappings of
, destrier shone like fire in the brig
!, sunlight. Followed by his train,
r swept along until the foot of the ga
% lows was reached. then reined in b
a mount and looked aloft. There W
n an instant and universal hush. A h
"A flush rose to his pallid cheeks, ol
n hand frightened on the reins. while Il
a other half-drew the jewelled dagg
d that hung at his belt But he CO
n trolled his emotion, and motioned ID,
Diego to approach. The alcayde, boz
ar ing to his horses flowing name, DIRE
l. near.
D. "Senor Alcayde." the king sal
Of slowly. you are beyond doubt {
es most daring man in my dominion
N but since justice has been done / a
nt satisfied. Your grant shall be ma
s. out in form tomorrow"
ID Again Don Diego bent TO his hors'
e. name, then, lifting his hand he cri
e: in laundering tones: Long live Dc
|. Pedro. the just king"
is Taken up by the multitude. his oil
Il. Grey reechoed through the squa
r Again the trumpets blared and I
of royal procession moved on toward I
is palace.
Id In Don Diego de Guzman's orato
is there was one little shrine which
ly never neglected. II held no picture
r. either saint OF Madonna, only I
e. portrait of pure, beautiful ia
N whose eyes look with a gaze of dee
x est meaning into the room. Here
It often kneels to say a prayer. and
thank in spirit the noble Maria
lis Padilla for her saving glance.
ty -
'ly ronc;o+apcu