The Washington times., 1904-06-19

I
He wns somewhat too wide of girth
for his short stature, and as he leaned
against the coach his knees shook vio-
lently. whether from the weakness Of
age or the terror Of his recent expert
ence il was impossible TO determine.
Observing the dead body of his coach
man. the broken harness from which
the horses had at length freed them
selves. and the general wreckage Of his
stately equipage the old man fell to ut
tering whining lament made up OF
maledictions upon the outlaws and COM
plants against some one of the saints To
whom fl appeared. he had made a gift
offering for the safe conduct Of his
journey.
While the old man was thus bewailing1
his III fortune. the black pail that had
enveloped the lieutenau was gradually
lifting under the T1inistrations of his
self-constituted nurse and physician.
The flow of blood having been stopped,
the liquor which the YOUNG woman
forced down his throat warmed his veins
and gradually brought him back TO con-
| seriousness. After a time he moved rest
lessly, and then slowly opened his eyes.
In his period Of Inconsistencies his
mind had been wandering back to the
pleasant hours spent upon the rocks
overlooking Gibraltar. Looking up into
the face bending over him and on which
/ a delightful smile appeared as he began
TO exhibit signs of life, he fancied that
he was again upon the terrace beneath
the locust trees. and whispered broken
| ly:
"Ope kiss. beloved"
/ A flush mounted 10 the girls cheeks
1t was evident that the officer spoke not
to her but TO some other whom he be-
lieved to be near him. Nevertheless,
she bent her head quickly until her
| lips touched his temples.
He smiled family and closed his eyes
| once more. Almost Immediately he be-
gan to turn and to thrust out his
arms, crying. AHA. Brulo. my sword
is ready for YOU
Fearing that this exertion would start
his wound TO bleeding afresh. the girl
strove to quiet him with reassuring
words. At the sound OF her voice ne
smiled once more and again opened his
eyes, this time with a clearer light In
them.
He gazed about for a moment. and
then seemed 10 recollect what had taken
place. He made an effort TO sit up. but
the bandage about his body restricted
him, and he sank back again.
is all safer" he inquired anxiously
Ibid Brulo faH?"
''The robber was wounded and fed
into the forest replied the girl IN
SC eming surprise that he should know
the outlaws name. Il know not how
badly he was injured"
In a few words she explained what
had taken place since the sudden and
uncertain termination of the officer s
Faxf,7 IL
over her own efforts In his behalf.
Il feared that the villain had done
for YOU" she said. looking down on
him with serious. anxious eyes.
1t is nothing he answered, and In
truth the bandaging of his wound had
! been so well accomplished that he felt
: little pain.
1T I'll becomes a soldier he con-
!, tlnued. ITO be overcome by a little
/ blood letting The shock of the fail
from my horse had much to do with st.
Z / did not think to prove SO weak an
ally
r Say not So" replied the girl hastily
But for your coming we should have
4 been robbed. perhaps murdered, I'm tbs
p roadw:.y. Even now / know not whether
D we are safe" she continued. looking
D anxiously about THE robbers were
s
the forest The one who escaped may
/. return with others. We should proceed
; as quickly as possible
4 Her words recalled to Mertrez thu
: GRAND that had brought him thither
H. sat up suddenly. despite the sharI
twinge that the action caused him.
1T is true" he said. i must go for
ward quickly My mission IS urgent"
your horse is dead" she answered
but as speedily as the servants cal
: secure our own pair, we will proceed &
Is Ccrdova. where you will easily secur
8 another Let me present my father u
e you"
She called 70 the old man. who wa
3 directing the efforts Of the servants L
y patch up the broken harness. He turne'
, and hobbled 10 where the officer lay
now resting against small tree
The girl rose and placed supportin
= hand underneath one trembling arm.
- This is my father. Don Emilio Cas-
sava. of Cordova," she said simply.
4 am Lieut.. CarOlus Mertrez, an
" swered the officer. speaking slowly an
with exertion. Il am on my way fror
Gibraltar to the capital with dis
patches" he added by way Of explainin
y his presence.
60 II am honored by your acquaintance,
10 said Don Emilio in tones Of grandilc
quence that compcrted poorly with hi
p feeble appearance. 1T is useless TO al
n tempt 20 thank you for your assistance
But for your coming the fiends migf
81 have killed meme. a law-abiding ma
a and a member OF the council at Cordov;
is BY the saints they shall pay for this.
~ he continued. enraged at the thought {
70 their presumption. Il shall demand {
3 the governor that ne send troops TO q
"a terminate their whole band and an
AZ others that may be hereabOuts."
4r ut were well at present to make wha
70 speed we can toward Cordova; thin
n you not soT'' suggested Mertrez, VIII
n had no mind TO listen 10 the stream {
az vituperation thai the don had begun I
al pour forth THE bandits may retur
in numbers"
H. The possibility of such an occurrenC
On set the old mans knees TO shakin
ed again, and he hobbled back toward n
T. carriage, calling out peevish orders
at the servants to seek out the horse
ny which had disappeared within the WOO
ed This task occupied some time. II
he arfroaIs had atraved a considerable az