The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-08-28

came struggling through the lOOphOled
windows, she stood up with numbed
limbs and bloodless fingers, saying that
day must bring release. Already q
faint murmur of the citys Weakening
life sent it's message even to that close
retreat. She heard the reveille sounded
in the distant barracks. Jangling bells
summoned the peasantry to mass; a
sergeant's voice commanded the chang
ing of the guard. For the Second time
she would have raised the alarm, and
beating loudly upon the door she
thought to make the sentries hear her;
but none responded, none answered to
her knock.
Esther remembered at this time the
merry trooper, and how he had spoken
of the mother Guanares and of her
presence in the prison. 1t was her con-
ISOLATION to assure herself that the man
would return to her cell at daybreak
bringing her chocolate and the gossip
Of the barrack-room. She counted the
minutes until he should come. fever
ishly afraid even of the morning light
and half believing that the dead man
still lived. When she heard a voice at
last, she believed that the trooper
spoke and she staggered to her feet and
responded like one snatched from liv-
ing tomb.
Yes, yes-who is it'll am here"
The summons came, oddly enough,
not from the courtyard before the Bar
bican Tower, but from that room of
shadows she had fled in such terror
For an instant a terrible suspicion al
most stilled her heart. Was it Xavier
who spoke or another? She peered
into the envelope of darkness, vainly
trying to discern face. A man was
descending the narrow staircase with
stealthy tread His white bernouse
took shape in the struggling light; his
long brown robe trailed upon the stairs.
She knew that it was Yussuf, the Moor
and with a sob of relief and joy she
stretched out her hands to him and
babe him hasten.
1T is I-Esther-I am here! They
have Killed Doctor Xavier-please help
me! Oh, my God, what shall dol''
The Moor caught the outstretched
hand in an iron grip, and held up the
fragile figure which fell swooning in
his arms. He lifted it as trivial bur-
den and flung a cloak about it's face
Keys at his girdle opened the heavy
door and admitted him to the court
yard. None challenged him in the
sunny court without. The sentry read
his passport as the merest formality.
so France has saved the little Eng
lish woman!"
II was the mans only comment.
Tn oarriaoa dri1,au eu,iftI1y ouav
from the southern ramparts of Cadi,
Esther opened her eyes when a quarter
of an hour had passed and perceived
that the sun was shining. A swarthy
figure upon the seat before her regard
ed her with a woman's tender eyes.
She did not know why the Moor sat
there or recolIect the circumstance of
her deliverance.
"Senora!" he said look up-it is the
day"
Where am II" she asked wildly
What is it, Yussuf, what has hap
pened?"
Sonora" he said quietly, much has
happened. A man is dead who deserved
TO die. know his life; he deserved to
die. You-you know nothing; you were
not as the others!"
She did not understand him; her
thoughts were inconsequent and capri
cious. The present compelled her cues
tons. What had happened? How had
she escaped the cell?
You must tell me everything" was
her passionate command; Il have the
right to know. Where is my husband
where are you taking me?'
ITO him, sonora, in my own time
Listen: the French have forbidden his
death, but the people may demand it.
1 do not know; the day will tell us.
Yussuf is your friend-he has been
your friend many months. Obey him
and he will be your servant Here is
the inn-we shall breakfast, sonora"
The carriage stopped as he spoke be-
fore the door of an inn which lay a
mile to the south Of the city's ram
parts. The road had carried them up
ward toward the pine forests and the
pass. Countless white tents of the reg
iments, called in to quell the turnults,
dotted the grassland; and troopers
moved briskly from door to door, their
blue uniforms looking brighter still in
the sunshine. The city itself lay
wreathed still in the morning mists
bells chimed the Angelus, muff1ed and
indistinctly.
Her obedience to the Moor was I'M
questioning. odd, indeed, that of all
the friends whom fortune had sent,
this man alone remained to befriend
her. Her faith in him was absolute.
She believed that he would take her to
her husband.
1--WE need all our strength" he said.
as one who loved a mystery. 1--WE
shall breakfast at this inn, sonora. The
hours are few-they must find us faith
full"
Sonora" he said, "1et your courage
help you. 1 take you to your husband.
Come, we are already late. It is fixed
for Rine o'clock. God help us to be in
time, senora!"
She paled at his words, and stood up
at once. She knew of what he spoke.
The word recalled instantly the threat
of yesternight, the trial, the document.
Take me to him-now!" she ex-
claimed.
His ewes lighted with n certai II, y,1aoe