The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-01
The Ears of the
 Governor
V

A NEW governor had lately been ap-
 A pointed to the prison at Castelleno Don Hugo was registering blade handsome. noted for his gallantiies, and curly successful in his career. In an ill- advised hour he delivered speech in public, wherein he observed that Don Q. was a happy nickname for the brigand chief, who for so long had terrorized the district He reconnted some of his crimes and illuminated against him the penalties of the law.
 All this Don @. read in his mountain eyrie with exceeding relish It hattered his sef-esteem. The speech was fully reported in the local jurnal, which we may call Fl Mundo but the sting lay waiting in the last clause: And yet this reputed king of the mountalns,I conclud- ed Don Hugo, lis, after all, miserable Wretch, poorer than the meanest ass in $pain, for he carries but one ear"
 Whatever his other bodily tniirmities, she bandit possessed both his ears, yet Jhe libel was of nature which could hever be forgotten. His diseased vanity lwelt upon 1t with an eyer-growing bit terness. The slumberlng devil in him Invoke, tormenting him to fury. ] Upon this day, which followed an in- I terval of terrified quietness, the robbers i valley was thrilled by an excitment, hot with the double seasoning of novelty and danger. A party securing the lower hills, according to their practice, had met with lady-a very great lady she seemed who far form objecting after the usual manner 10 being carried prisoner into the sierra instantly demanded to be taken into the presence of the dreaded chief.
 In the dusk Don Q. lifted up his head, Do not keep me any longer, l pray, Casper" he said in sharp sibiant voice. What Is it?'
 Lord. sonora would speak with you" stuttered the man.
 Don 0. paused It must be confessed that a lady desiring an Interview with him was something of a novelty.
 Good The senora's name?'
 "The lady would tell you that herself, Lord"
 Let her come" Gaspar turned away with relief, but the chief stopped him. .iStay, Gaspar. Make up the fire and light a torch, fix it up there behind me. | trust, Gaspar, you have not incon- venienced the sonora by keeping her waiting? l will ask her, and if" the silence was eloquent.
 A few minutes later a lady swept into the circle of light within the cave. Her face was hidden by mantilla, but she moved with the. air of acknowledged beauty, audacious and graceful.
 Don Q. rose from his seat in the gloom beyond the fire and bowed.
 "I am the chief of the sequestradores, and the senoras very humble servant"
 The words uttered in purest Spanish with the soft tone of courtesy almost startled the nearer. She peered across the smoke and flames, but the torch had been set to baffle her vision.
 .T have come. senor to implore your aid she said impulsively.
 At the same instant she flung back her mantilla and disclosed her features. Don 0. gazed at her for moment in silence. She was a golden Spaniard; dark-eyed, with a mouth like a red blos- som, her somewhat cruel-looking but ex- treme beauty enhanced by d skin of ex- dulsite fairness, and crowned with golden shaBr, /
 t'Senora," began the soft voice after a uause which the lady fully appreciated sis a tribute to her charms, "am 1 per mitted to ask by what name l may re- member such loveliness?'
 hS"Catalina, the Condessa-" She broke off citedly; she had an end in view, and ished to gain 1t without delay. q was told that you were kind to those in distress, and would help a woman when you could"
 1T rejoice that there are still some Speakers of the truth under the noun tafas.j Be at ease, Dona Catalina, my pleasure at the sight of so much beauty is only equalled by my impatience to