The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-06-10
The Chronicles
of Don O.

were already gay with flowers, when
Garth LalOr returned to the Boca de
Lobo as Don Q.'s guest An invitation
from so uncommon source might not
have been accepted by every one with
the eagerness shown by Garth LaIoT.
Don Q. wrote that he had need of
friend, and Labor responded by setting
out at once, for he had long ago grown
TO like Don Q. for many Of the remark
able points in his strange character.
LalOr, as will doubtless be remem-
bered, had accompanied Don @ on that
eccentric tour of justice during which
summary vengeance was dealt out 10
q, certain General Don BasiliO; and the
brigand's conduct had inspired Lalor
with unmitigated respect for him and
faith in his promises.
He had already spent near a month
with the famous seqUestradOT, but dur
ing the last couple of weeks his host Of
the sierra had remained plunged in a
mood of melancholy, shot and illuminat-
cd by flashes Of cold rage
One morning as LalOT sat on the ter
race summing himself In the brilliant air,
Don Q. joined him. Chilly as usual, the
chief, wrapped in his cloak, his SOM
brero pulled low over his brows, sat
for a few moments in silence; then he
Gisengaged one meager hand and, point
ing downward at the men gathered IN
groups in the valley below, he told a
story in his sib.iant voice. 1t was the
first break in Ire silence Of several
days
''One Of these wolves, these mountain
apes" he began, soUrIy, " has dared to
play a little part in imitation Of a man
of me, in shOrt-viUh the gTOtesque
result one would expect from such
travesty. As regards the animal him
self, It matters not at all But he has
injured me in A degree so monstrous
~ al -7c1,g,
his crime"
Zone Pablo has captured and held to
ransom a lady of wealthy though not
noble family. It came to my knowledge
as all events ultimately come, and I
descended the mountains and caught
the fellow red-handed,' the chief went
on. Perhaps, senior, you did me the
honor to miss me at the desaynnO yes
terday? I returned. bringing both Pa
blo and his captive with me. The Sc
norita had been frightened, even NAL
treated. Pst!" Don Q. emitted a hiss
of such contempt and maIevolence that
IalOr invOIuntarily rejOiCed that it was
not directed against himself Then I
considered what I should do
The outcome OF these terrible mus
ings appeared TO be a letter that Don
Q. now unfOIded before the young Eng
lishman-
What do you think of this. senior >"
4 y
tim the compliments of greeting with
which you are familiar. I address my
self TO the governor of the prison Of
CasteIIeno.
''WhatI'' CALCULATED LaIor. Not the
man whose ears
Don Q. bowed in his courtIy manner.
Whose ears regretted being obliged
to add to my little museum UP here in
the mOuntains-the same. senior" He
began to read: Don @ has the honur
10 send herewith the person Of Pablo
Gomez, formerly Of his hand, who has
committed the objectionable ludiscre-
ton of holding TO ransom, on his own
responsibility, the SenOrita Dona -
de Lucas. Don @. as all who acquaiTS
themselves with the great events Of the
day are aware, has never during his
long memorable and bIameIess career
held to ransom a lady. Don Q. trusts
that his excclleucy the governor Of the
prison Of CastellenO. viii, as a, man OF
honor, clear the name Of Den .. Of the
stigma cast upon it by the horrible &C
lion OF the sCOUndTeI Pablo Gomez.
and gaTTOte the fellow on the highest
point Of the prison roof in the sight Of
all the world After that the usual
greetings of farewell Does II appear
TO you, senior, that I have made my
meaning plain2"-
Very much So" replied LaIor
The chief clapped his hands. and RO-
bledO came running up the path to the
cave. Giving orders 10 bring Pablo
and the senorita into his presence, Don
O. resumed
You must understand. dear friend,
that the rabble Of the plains are but too
glad to soil the record of a man so
much better than themselves. I could
naturally cause Pablo to be killed in
many excellent ways. I could. for in
stance, bllndfOrd him and request him
TO walk ten PAGES fOrward-the ninth
step including a fall Of 400 feet This
little promenade. when explained be-
fOrehand 10 the person Of whom there
IS question, causes a highly unpleasant
quarter Of an hour, can promise you
senior"
In a moment a group of men. haling
with them a reluctant captive, appeared
climbing the path. In front Of them
walked a handsome girl of. perhaps, 20
years Of age. She had TIE graceful gait
Of her nation, and the drOOp Of her
,shapely figure, her extreme paIlOr, and
the appeal in her beautiful eyes seemed
to touch the lOng-chilled heart Of the
chief
He rose, and with conspicuous eIe-
gance Of movement, swept his hat to
the ground.
''Senorita, I kiss your feet"
The girl grew whittier as she gazed 81
the baldbrOwed vultUre aspect Of Don
Q. She turned to Lalor, and, reading
pity in his glance, she begged him TO
plead for her.
There will be no need. senorita.' re-
piled Lalor in halting Spanish. Don
@. is your best friend
ct beg you, senOrita. TO accent nv
most humble apologies for the indignity
with which this miscreant has treated
you" The chief pointed to Pablo. 81
have written to the governor Of the
7r toll a.
the utmost severity Of the law. while
you shall be conducted with all care
and tenderness to your family"
You are about to set me free?'' cried
the girl.
Doubtless you have heard many
things Of me. DOna Inez," replied Don
@, sadly. Have these stories ever n
cluded one of cruelty OF Imprisonment
imposed upon a woman2"
No no. Sannr You are god rnr,