The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-03-18
The Chronicles of Don Q. + :;

with a very present thought that
death would soon free him from his
word; II foresee that l shall enjoy my
visit TO the sierra, senior, although l
hope you win not be very severe in the
matter of a ransom"
1T is unfortunately one of the ext
sencies of my position that l have
my children to maintaini" Don @. in
dictated the figures of RobledO and
Gaspar in the aperture of the cave.
I'VE must have our demands paid in
full or
"Or?" repeated Don Luis.
NO, no." said the brigand, with
a sympathetic geniality; I'VE will not
spoil our first meeting with dismal
considerations, ] can recommend these
cigarettes; you will find them pass
able
Il must congratulate you on the dis
cipline of your cOm-yOur men," Don
Luis said. lingering a cigarette
thoughtfully.
Many others have cOmplimented me
also upon that: / assure you, senior, it
always gratifies me-
But it must be owned that Don Luis
del Monte, from the moment he was
brought into the presence Of Don O.,
began to like his errand less.
Nevertheless, he neglected no point
that might assist him in his design;
he observed, he bridled his natural in
science, he went cautiously. He quite
understood that he was dealing with
one who would strike before he spoke
On a single occasion only he forgot
his Self-cOntrOl for a moment. They
were talking of former days, and Don
/ @. had been relating stories, with re-
serve indeed. but also with force and
/ a fine power of detail.
He told of an accident of the bull
ring in some town to which he gave
no name.
Can you not trust me with that
most interesting name, senor?" asked
/ Del Monte, his sneer Obscured by a
smile.
DO you wish to know the name [
| bore before l covered it with the title
/ by which l am called today?" Don O.
/ looked at him with a. significance his
words did not contain.
Yes, by your favor
| The brigand laughed very softly, but
with an intensity of amusement that
sent chill of misgiving down Del
Monte's spine.
/ But yes. senor-since we are
friends" added he. almost nervously.
True. 1 had forgotten that can
promise you shall know-sOme day.
/ The promise however, failed to con-
vey any distinct impression of pleasure
to the governors emissary.
I At length the ransom arrived. Don
Luis had by this time conceived his
pIOt in detail. As soon as his captor
actually held the ransom in possession
the assassin determined to make away
| with him. Once rid of Don O. ne pc
tIieved himself equal to dealing with
the remainder of the band.
But. although he was watchful
throughout the day. no opportunity oc-
Cured for using the poison Don y:
/ even i'm his most mOrOse and absorbed
moments, always showed the unsleep-
ing vigilance of a wild bird The
blinking gaze always opened upon Del
Monte if he stirred, and, though time
| after time his hand fell upon the ph1al
of poison in his pocket, he never found
the few minutes grace to do the deed
Rv night this failure began to work
upon his nerves. Without, only the
cold scent of the wind, and the red
| -ored fires that burned below In the
darkness of the glen; within that ter
rible companion, whose bieared eyes
never seemed to close.
But at length the chance came OF
itself when a robber, hoarse and diff
fident. appeared in the mouth OF the
cave. and Don Q. went out 10 hlIn'
leaving Del Monte alone
/ With a rapid movement he unstOp-
pered the bottle and poured It's con-
tents literally into the brigand's wine.
Then he sank back with a great sigh
The tension was broken; Don q. was
practically dead.