The Washington times., 1904-08-07

! Senorita Teresa. is his daughter"
| Surely good fortune was favOring me
| If l could gain her confidence she might
assist me in my undertaking. l threw
| off restraint. forgot discretion, and
spoke with more openness and conf
dcnce than good judgment and pru-
| dence would have. warranted.
you may have surmised before this >"
/ I made bold to say. that l come here
to see Senorita Teresa"
! No. no. senior" she replied quickly.
! You must not try TO see Senorita
Teresa. 1t would be madness. Your
blood would be upon your own head. 1
beg of you, senior. you will not try TO
see her
! She was upon her knees, earnestly
pleading with me. I took her hand, and
helped her to rise.
Fear not for me-" ! said. Il have
met danger before this. 1 must see your
mistress, and you will assist me in do
ing so. l know 1t is very important
that I should see her"
Yes, senor." she replied quickly.
! You come from her uncle, Senior Mel
rose. He would have her go and live
with him. but it IS impossible. He viii
! be killed if he persist. l warnel him.
| warn you"
1T is not impossible. with your help"
l answered. Think. you can make
your mistress life happy You can save
her from being imprisoned in a con-
vent. or married to some man she does
not love"
IF 1 could" she said, wringing her
| hands. But there Is no escape-not
now For her sake. senior, don't attempt
| anything You will be discovered, and
then my lady-she will surely be sent
to the convent. and l will see her no
more"
BE calm" I replied cooIy y only
ask to see her. If I am not permitted
TO see her. then l will not answer for
what may happen"
No senior, you cannot go to her-she
lit may be 1 can arrange VIII you
| wait here?' she asked. trembling with
excitement
/ hesitated. I did not know what she
might not do. but l felt that / could
trust her. Besides there seemed to be
no alternative
! i viii wait If you are not too long"
l replied. sitting down. and with an at
tempt at calmness which but i'll con-
4 cealed the inward emotion / felt
Accidentally my hand touched the
empty sheath where I had carried my
knife. and a shudder crept over me, 1
had escaped one danger. but could I
hope to escape the present one?
She looked at me curiousIv. You
know that the patio is crowded with the
guard?" she said. still hesitating.
Il saw them" 1 repilcd.
She left me and passing out OF the
room by a side door. which knew must
open into the room adjoining the one l
was in.
II I had thus far borne myself with
apparent composure II was not because
felt at ease. II was with almost an
agony OF suspense that 1 waited for tho
duenna 10 return. I knew not whether
she had gone to speak to her mistress
or to summon the guard It would have
been quite reasonable to presume the
latter.
! ! could distinctly hear voices outside.
and some one walked along the gallery
past the door. I calculated my chances
for escape should be discovered--I even
went to the window and examined the
iron grating. 1t would have done ser
vice for a jail, so strong was It, 1 went
10 the door and listened; but there was
nothing unusual in the sounds I hea I'd
not alone and looking around, saw the
senorita standing just within the side
door, her eyes fixed intantly Ipon me.
II did not surprise me tina: it was the
same young lady I had seen on the
plaza I had expected this.
Pardon me-" 1 managed to- say. this
is SenOTita Teresa de UlIoa -
The same" she replied. You wish
! TO see me2"
She stood before re VERY queen In
dignity and beauty. Her dress was
white. the skirt long and full, and she
wore about her shoulders an emb-oider-
ed scarf. Her hair was loose. and fell in
soft brown curls upon her shoulders. HeI
feet were clad in satin sandals-on,
dainty foot showing just beyond heI
skirt. l could not see her eyes on &C.
count of the dim light in the room, but
seemed to feel them.
l was all confusion-4u unnerved. NJ
sudden danger. not even the appearance
! Of the guard. could have unnamed ms
as did the presence Of this one faic wo.
man.
My name is Maxwell Harvey"
stammered. II have the honor Of IN.
joying the friendship and confidence OF
your uncle. Philip Melrose."
. a friend Of my uncle 1 would willing
" welcome. but" She hesitated ana
then stepped forward. extending hel
hand.
took 1t and thanked her for the
honor she did me
DO you realize your danger?' she con,
tinued.
7 do" replied, but I do not fear
danger"
1T might be better If you did. for Their
you would never have come here, FOL
, you come at the peril OF your life"
My being here tonight is an accident. .
explained. Let us consider II a for
! tunate one. / have something TO say Il
, you, and where else could l have foun(
opportunity for saying it,"
Il do not know" she replied, with Z
, deep-drawn sigh. but you will have Il
speak briefly, for your time must be Gu
T very short"
, l started. but her smile reassured me
D She would never be guilty OF treachery
Il come as the representative OF you
uncle" I continued. You are believe
2 his nearest relative.
] Even so, Mr.. Harvey But he Is no
, in the city. is he?" she asked. showinG
a sudden alarm.
b, He is in the city. but, as he believes
! his presence IS unknown save to my
D SELF" I replied.