The Washington times., 1904-08-07

An attendant passed me, coming down
a stairway which was at my left He
did not see me, and 1 thought that l
might venture TO ascend the same stair
way. and possibly, in the confusion
which seemed to prevail everywhere,
find the senorita's room, or at least
manage to communicate with her.
If seen. I might pass as one of the
troopers. as 1 wore a sombrero not I'M
like those they had. and the difference
in my clothes was not likely to be no.
ticed in the shadow of the gallery.
4, Plants and vines had been trained along
the balustrade and up the columns
which screened the gallery from the
court.
. Watching my opportunity. when there
was no one near. I went UP the stairs,
keeping to the left, and passed half the
length Of the second gallery. fortunately
not meeting anyone l was in some
doubt which door 1 should venture to
enter as leading to the room where l
was most likely TO find the senorita,
when suddenly a door opened near me
and servant appeared.
He was young man. and stopped alb
ruptly, looking at me with a fixed stare.
He was about TO speak, but 1 fore
stalled him.
Pardon me-" I said. bowling low. Il
> am at a loss which way to turn. Don
Carlos room is" l hesitated. as If
following directions, but had become
confused.
You wish to see Senior Don Carlos de
Unoa?" he asked with dignifed re-
serve.
did not wish to see HMM fact. he
was the very person l wished TO avoid
meeting. but l was caught in my own
trap. 1 replied, however, that l wished
to see him privately, upon a matter OF
particular Importance.
I now fully expected that I would be
obliged TO meet that gentleman: and l
was frantically racl1ing my brain for
= some excuse to account for my pres
ence in his house and my request for an
interview.
The man waited until 1 was through
? speaking. regarding me with some dis
favor, l thought, and then replied that
2 Don Carlos was not at home
I must have breathed n sigh of relief.
r Certainly I felt greatly relieved. My
2 most immediate peril did not threaten
! me.
when will he return?" made bold
t to ask
&
NV triumph had been of short dura-
= ton My heart again sank within me,
2 but I determined to make the most OF
my time. and of my opportunities.
thrust a coin into the fellows hand
II was A gold piece-one of those l had
. raked into my pocket when / threw
e down my hand at the gaming table. II
2 served it's purpose. He looked at it.
Z saw the amount, and was so well
q pleased that he was quite thrown of
l. his guard.
I VIII senior be so kind as to waltz he
p inquired, bowling.
e Il will wait" 1 said. when ht
comes. bring him to me. Never mind
- my name He will understand. l do not
Q want it known that ! am here. This
- room in front of me is"
T us occupied by Sonora Don Carlos Dc
d Ulloa"
4 Yes. TO be sure" I said. u NEAR
I the one to the left
( THAT is Don Carlos room. But YOU
o can wait in the reception room. There
is no one there" he explained.
h I did not dare TO question him fur
!. Their for fear of awakening suspicion
1 He led the way &c "a room near at hand
:. opened the door for me. and stood aside
] for me 20 enter.
you are sure that I will not have
long TO waltz" l asked
Don Carlos Is expected to join his
regiment. He has only gone to re
ceive orders. He may be detained long
er than he expected" replied the fellow
g ''I understand" l said, motioning fol
s him TO go. Il will wait"
q He bowed and then retired.
As soon as he had passed down th'
= stairway I quietly slipped out Of th'
e door and along the gallery until l cam'
10 the corner room. the one l had takeI
q to be Senorita Teresa's.
o I hesitated u seemed a Dissertation
: for me to enter her chamber. Yet,
t must endeavor to see her, even at tn
= risk. Of her denouncing me for my bold
e ness. for at times like this person doe!
not stand on propriety and stop to ar
d que points of etiquette
y The door was unattached, and ! pushe,
t it open silently and went 1t. The room
= was dimly lighted by a candle. 1t wa
plainly furnished, and IN one cOrne
d was a bed.
& Before 1 could take in all my sur
e roundings I was startled by a woman
[ CRY, and an old duenna rose from
:, chair. She was such a little woman
and being clad in black. it was no
= strange that did not at first see her.
@ Il beg pardon" l said. endeavoring t.
II calm her fears, Il have made a mis-
y take"
d Then why do you not go?" she de
manded, standing trembling before me
d You must know that ii is not becoming
I In a gentleman 70 enter unbidden
Y Iady's chamber. There is the doOr!'
e And she pointed TO 1t.
Yes" l said, Il Will go. But first
my business may be with you, if yo1
. Will allow me a word"
\ l had closed the door. and seeing
a bolt on the inside, showed It in place
believed that my greatest danger wa
from the outside.
"Senor!' she exclaimed, hardly abb
= TO speak from agitation. What d
\, you want here?"
was aware that in appearance
looked more like a ruffian than I did
:, gentleman The peon had taken me {
\. be "A soldier What would this womal
think OF me?
l was armed, as she could see. NJ
, jacket was cut in several places, an
u also stained with blood, but IL was n
- time to stand on appearances.
K MY good woman will bear with ms
q l am certain. when 1 tell her that
Is have tust narrowly escaped being cut t