The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-24
CHAPTER XIX.
THE WAYSIDE INN.


AstOnishment rendered me speech
less, and at first I could do no more
than bow with an embarrassed air to
the cloaked figure before me. Lesba's
fair face, peering from beneath her
mantilla, was grave but set, and her
brilliant eyes bore a questioning and
half-cOntemptuou look that was hard
to meet.
THAT is my name, senior, she re-
peated, and yon VIII oblige me my ex-
planning Why you are sending it to
Captain Mazanoyitch.'
Was it Your carriage in which 1 es-
capped ?" I inquired.
Yes; and my man now lies wound
ed by the roadside. Why did you take
me by surprise, Senior Harcliffe?
And why-Svl5F are you telegraphing
my name to 1Gazanovitch %
Although my thoughts were some
what confused Erenlenf beFed that Les
ba had accompanied her brOthcr to
Rio; that her BOTHER had turned trail
tor, and she hefself had ridden in the
ernperor's carriage, with the spy Val
cour. And wondered how it WAS that
her carriage should have been stand
ing this very evening at a retired spot,
evidently awaiting some one. when 1
CHANGED upon It in my extremity.
It is well to take time TO consider.
when events are. of a confusing nature.
In that way thoughts are sometimes
untangled. Now, in fash, the truth
came to me. Valcour was still ct the
perhaps her lover.
To realize this evident fact of her
intrigue with my brilliant foe sent 4
SILVER through me-a SILVER of despair
and utter WEAKNESS. Still keeping my
gaze upon the floor, and noting. half
consciously, the click-click OF the tele-
graph instrument, I said:
Pardon me, donzella, for using your
carriage to effect my escape. You see,
I have not made an alliance with the
royals IS, as yet, and my condition is
somewhat dangerous. AS for the use
Of your name in my telegram, I have
no objection to telling you-nOw that
the message has been sent-that it was
a CIPHER word warning my republican
friends of treachery.
do you suspect me of treachery,
Senior Harcliffe2" she asked in cold,
scOrnful tones.
looked up but dropped my eyes
again as I confronted the blaze of in
dignation that flashed from her own.
II make no accusations, donzeIla.
What is it to me if you Brazi1ians fight
among yourselves for freedom or the
emperor, as it may suit your fancy? q
came here to oblige a friend of my
father S-the one true man nave
found in all your lntrlgue-rldden coun-
try But he, alas! is dead, and 1 am
pOwerless to assist farther the cause
he loved So my mission here is ended,
and I will go back to America
Again looked up; but this time her
was set and impenetrable.
do not let US part in anger" re-
suned, a trenOr creeping into my ice
in spite of me=for his girl had been
very dear to my heart Let us say we
have both acted according to the JIG
tates of conscience, and cherish only
memories of the happy days We have
passed together, to comfort us III 1u-
ture years
She started. with 1pratsad hand and
eager face half turned toward the door
Far away in the distance heard the
tramp Of many hoOfs.
They are coming TenhoI. catleo
the man who stood baside the horses
one of our patriots It's the troop
of Uruguayans. [ am sure
Pedro, the station master, ran from
his little Office and extinguished the
one dim lamp tha- swung from lie
ceiling of the room in which we stood.
In the darkness that enveloped US
Lesba grasped my arm and Whispered
"Come!" dragging me toward the
door. A moment later We were beside
the carriage.
''Mount!'' she cried. in a command
ing voice Il will ride inside. Take
the road to san Tarem. Quick, SEN
hOr as YOU value both or our uVeSl
I gathered up the reins as Pedro
slammed tight the carriage door A
crack of the whip, a shout of encour-
agement from the two patriots and
we had dashed away upon the dim road
leading to the wild unsettled plains
of the North Plateau.
They We're good horses It surprised
me to note their uettle and speed. and
I guessed they had been carefully
chosen for the nights work-an adven-
ture of which this denouement was
scarcely expected. I could see the 'ad
but dinly. but 7 gave the horses slack
rein and they sped along at no imcer-
tain pace
1 could no longer. hear the hoot-5eats
of the guards and judged that either
. 7fsS7 AAAasa1 tia