Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-30
CHAPTER III.

This took my breath away. But where
are we to go. Carlos?' l asked, bending
over him.
Toto England" he whispered.
He was utterly worn out that evening
by all the perplexites of his deathbed. lie
made a great effort. and murmured a few
words more-about the Spanish ambassado:
In London being near relation OF The
Riegos: then he gave it up and lay still
under my amazed eyes. Father Antonio,
sadly. signed me to withdraw.
Castro had not gone away yet; he greeted
me in low tones outside the big door
Senior" he went on. Il make my report
usually to his Senoria Don Carlos; only
have not been admitted today into his
rooms at all. But what / have to say Is
for your ear. also. There has arrived
Lugarenos of the bay. l have known him
come like this before
Castro shook his head. ''Malediction on
his green eyes! 1 wanted to tell you senior.
that this evening there is much talk N the
villages of an evil-intentioned hereto that
has introduced himself into this our town;
of an 1nglez hungry for men to hang
of you. in short
And. what do you think of It, Castro?"
I asked.
II think that Domingo has his orders.
Manuel has made song already. And DO
you know Its burden. senior? Killing is its
provisadores. They cape round him while
he twangs and screeches. the wing bag!
And he knows what words to sing to them,
TOO. He has talent. Maladetta"
Well. and what do you adviser"
ADVISE the senior to keep, now, within
the Casa No songs can give that vermin
the audacfty to seek the senior here. The
gate remains barred: the firearms are al
ways loaded. and Cesar is sagacious
African. But methinks this moon would
IaIl out of the heaven first before they
would dare, Keep to the Casa, l
say-I, Tomas Castro"
He flung the corner of his cloak over his
left shoulder, and preceded me to the door
or my room; then, after a God guard you,
senior" continued along the colonnade.
I went to the window and leaned my
forehead on the iron bar. There was no
glass; the heavy shutter was thrown open;
and, under the faint crescent of the moon I
saw small part of the beach, very white.
the long streak of light lying mistily on
the bay and two black shapes, cloaked,
moving and stopping all of piece like pill
lars, their immensely long shadows run
Of the hats touching the wall of the Casa
Riego. Another, shorter. thicker shape,
appeared. walking with dignity. 1t was
Castro. The other two had a movement of
recoil then took off their hats.
"Buenas noches caballeros," his voice
said, with grim politeness. You are out
late"
so is your worship. Vaya, senior, con
They walked away. while Castro remain
ed looking after them. But l, from my ele-
walton, noticed that they had suddenly
crouched behind some scrubby bushes grow
Ing on the edge of the sand. Then Castro,
too. passed out of my sight in the opposite
direction. mutterng angrily.
/ forgot them all. Everything on earth
was still, and / seemed to be looking
through a easement out of an enchanted
castle standing in the dreamland of ro-
nance. / breathed out the name Of Sera-
phina into the moonlight in an increasing
transport.
"Seraphina! Seraphina! Seraphina?'
The repeated beauty of the sound intoxi-
Gated me.
"Seraphinar' I cried aloud, and stopped,
astounded at myself And the moonlight
of romance seemed to whisper spitefully
from below:
Death to the traitor, Vengeance for our
brothers dead on the English gallows!'
Come away Manuel"
mo. am artist. 1t Is necessary for
my soul"
BE uuiet"
from under the window The two Lug
arenos had stolen up unnoticed by me.
There was stifed metallic ringing as of Il
guitar carried under a cloak.
Vengeance on the hereto Inglez!"
Come away. They may suddenly ooen
the gate and fall upon US with sticks
my gentle spirit is reused to the accom-
plishment of great things. / feel In me
valance, an inspiration. am no vulgar
seller of aguradiente, like Domingo. I was
born to be the capataZ of the Lugarenos."
I'VE shall be set upon and beaten, oh,
thou Manuel. Come away"
There were no footsteps only noseless
fitting Of two shadows. and a distant voice
crying:
WOE. woe, woe to the traitor"
had not needed Castro's warning to un-
setting his power to work. only this Man
uers restless vanity had taught me exactly
how the thing was to be done.
I remained at the easement lost In rather
somber reflections. / was now a prisoner
within the walls OF the Casa. After all, 1t
mattered little l did not want to 60 away
unless I could carry off Seraphina with mo.
What a dream! What an impossible dream!
Alone, without friends. with no place to go
to, without means of going; without by
heaven. the right of even as much as speak
ing of it to her. Carlos-Carlos dreamed.-a
dream OF his dying hours. England was so
FAR. the enemy so near. and-Provden &c
Itself seemed TO have forgotten me-
A sound of painting made me turn my
head. Father Antonio was hopping his
brow in the doorway.
How did your reverence leave Don Car
los?' l asked.
Very low he said THE disease is
making terrible ravages and my ministra-
tions-I thought to be used to the sight OF
human misery. but" He raised his
hands; a genuine emotion overpowered
him; then. uncovering his face to stare at
me. He is lost, Don JUAN he exclaimed
He made effort. My son." he said
with decision, II call you to follow me to
the bedside of Don Carlos at this very hour
OF night. l. an humble priest the I'M
worthy instrument of Gods grace, call
upon you to bring him a peace which my
ministrations cannot give. His time is
near.
/ rose up. startled by his solemnity. by
the hint of hidden significance In these
words.
lis he dying now?" l cried.
He ought to detach his thoughts from
this earth; and II there is no other way"
what way? What am l expected to
dor
MY son, ] had observed your emotion.
We. the appointed confidants of mems
frailties. are quick TO discern the signs Of
their innermost feelings. Let me tell you
that my cherished daughter In God, Senori-
ia Dona Seraphina Riego. is with Don
Carlos, the virtual head OF the family
since his excellency Don Balthasar il in a
state Of. 1 may say, infantile innocence"
what do you mean, father?I faltered.
'She is waiting for you with him." he
pronounced, looking up. And as his So
lemnty seemed to have deprived me of my
power to move. he added. with his ordinary
simplicity, why. my son, she is. ! may
say, not wholly indifferent to your person."
/ could not have dropped more suddenly
into the chair had the good padre dis
charged pistol into my breast. He went