The Washington times., 1904-06-05
THE GRAY FOX OF GIBRALTAR; A ROMANCE OF THE ROCK

tell you-such news, 1 am going away.
"Ahl' The girl stood suddenly erect
and drew her breath in sharply. Il
knew Il not myself an hour ago, when
been so sad all day
THAT IS Impossible. my flower for 1
knew It not myself an hour ago, when
the commandment sent TO tell me that 1
was to bear message to the capital
There was n Joyous note in the young
mans voice in spite of his attempt TO
seem Indifferent. The girl turned quickly
toward him, and her glowing eyes
searched his face.
Yes: you are going away, and you
are glad"
There was reprOach in her voice
GLAD? Why not? Is II not an honor
to be sent as a messenger 10 the court:
There are half a dozen above me IN
rank who might have been selected. but
the commandant chose me because, he
said. I was both brave and discreet
Why should not be gladT
The young officer sat erect and struck
his hand proudly against his breast.
There speaks the Lieut. CarOlus Mer-
trez. and not my lover Carlo. 1t Is
ever the way with men. Honor Is ev-
erything TO them. and love nothing. *
word from the cOmmandant' and am
forgotten"
Not so; it is not that. my crimson
flower. The sun shall not shine for me
a moment while I am away. snail
think only of you. But 1 supposed you
would rejoice at the honor that mas
come 10 me"
Mertrez, in turn, showed that he was
hurt
The girl put her hands caressingly
against his bronzed cheeks.
yes; I do. I am pleased but the
thought that you are going away makes
me very unhappy.
''You do not think that in a week
shall forget your
"Oh no. milo Carlo. I do not think
that YOU will ever forget me, even
though YOU cease to love me-
Something in her quiet tone seemed a
menace and sent an unpleasant thrill
through him. He realized that it was
nossible to fear this girl, who seemed all
passion and tenderness.
.Do not shrink from me-" she said.
notictnp his involuntary movement. Il
do not mean that I am going to hate
Won now. but you know the old saying
about US"
Throwing her head back and letting
her eyes wander out past the tall white
rock long since named the Virgin
Shrine. she recited the cOuplet;
Love a Moorish woman
And YOU sharpen a sword;
Let your love turn from her.
And its iron shall pierce your owr
heart
But you are not all Moorlsh' Cd
jected her companion.
Again the girl raised her head proudly
''I am of the Moors. Think Of me al
WAYS as such and be proud that II is
so. True. the old witch Zanosa says
that I am also Of the Romany blood
of the Shir Abbas. the Oldest Of the
Romantics. And the witch says that
while one drop of Romany blood re-
mains in ones veins II will claim us
own. But that she says when she
wishes me to look kindly upon the sui
I Of her son. and do not believe IL all
/ ! feel that I am Moorish 70 the las
drop in my veins"
! Have little to do with Zanosa." saic
| the young man. his brow darkening a
| thought of the old bag who lived il
| the WitCh's Cavern nigr UP the rocky
slope. and who leered at him with evi
| eyes whenever he passed.
Have little TO do with her" he re
! peated. "Naught but I'll can she do q
/ thee"
! "Is that because she is a witch. Of
| because she has a handsome son wh'
loves me2" asked the girl with a teas
/ ing uplift Of her long lashes. II do no
fear Zanosa's arts and she has laugh
me many things. As for BrulO. It T.
true that he has a beautiful mustache
and it is said that he Is the chief Of ;
band Of brigands. so he must be verI
brave. 1t is true also that he loves M
madly and has threatened 20 carry M
off If l will not wed him" ...
The girl laughed outright as she saw
the jealous light that kindled in ne
companions eyes. She put up he
| wrist for him 10 kiss.
But he is not like my own nobl
! Carlo" she went on. Put your lips L
the blue veins and be glad that the
hold none Of the gypsy blood else
might like Brulo better than ! do"
The officer swept his mustache up tn
course of the delicate blue tracing I
the elbow. Then raising his head h
went on:
When I spoke. I thought not Of Ro
many blood. but Of English
The smile vanished from the girl
! face, and there was "a harder tone Il
her voice as she said:
Yes. my father is English, but I hav
nothing of him except perhaps his cru
city, as I sometimes think. No. inter
! rupting his angry gesture. he is no
! cruel TO me. He robes me in silks ant
gives me many attendants and Sucl
Jewels as shall dazzle your eyes whei
you see them. But / cannot love him
would forget that I have aught Z
share with him. Let us talk OF Dthe
things. To speak OF my English bloc
makes me angry and today l am I'm
happy because you are going away"
BE not too unhappy over that" sal
the young man. although his FAC
showed his pleasure at her words II
Ave days. or at least a week, l shall
return 10 you
The girl was looking out across tn
water once more. "A week before
live again" she said dreamily.
) The officer kissed the cheek that wa
turned toward him.
"Fie- fe foolish one" he said. ''Spea
not so. Shall l not return TO you a
quickly as I can?'
Il know not. ] hope so. / will pra
the Virgin so. but something IN IT,
/ heart makes me afraid"