The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-03-11


senorss
Gevil-Hay hesitated The fever had
laid its hand upon him, he shivered as
he stood in the breeze, and the joints of
his knees were unloosed with Il creep
ing weakness. Not so many years ago
the world seemed at his feet he had
striven hard for his position and won
it-won more than that. He had tasted
much of life's sweetness and the joy of
power and growing success, yet today
Yes he answered
As the days went on Gevil-IIay found
he had a good deal in common with the
chief who proved himself an attentive
host. There was something kindred be-
tween the two men, and yet Gevil-IIay
was alternately attracted and repealed.
Yielding 10 the charm of Don q fine
courtesy he was led on to talk of many
things, and he talked well, while the
chilly thin-framed nearer crouching in
his cloak over the fire, listened with in
terest To later view of the great world
that lay within his own remembrance.
Also the Englishman had been a wan-
dcrer in far countries; he was a man
who spoke with authority who under
stood the craft of administration and high
affairs, so that he could converse on the
level of actual knowledge and experience
WITH one WHO ielu himself IL II eiiou a
ruler and a lawgivcr to no contemplate
portion of mankind.
To Gevil-Hay-Don G. was a study. He
watched him as a snake might be
watched by an imaginative rabbit. He
was always following the livid-lidded
eyes, always specializing on the thoughts
which worked in that Unbalanced BRAIN
For Don Q. was a Spaniard of the Span
iards, having the qualities Of his race in
excess. He was quite fearless. proud to
distraction. unsurpassed in the kindly
courtesy OF nation of aristocrats and
cruel beyond belief. AS this character
developed itself Gevil-Hay like many
another man who has thought himself
tired of life, chung to his chances of escape
as they hourly grew less before his eyes
For one thing was apparent-Don Q. s
peculiarities did not lean to the side of
mercy.
A couple of days after his arrival in the
glen he asked the brigand chief what had
been done with the two young brawlers
who had drawn knives upon each other
under the terrace.
Don Q. removed his cigarette to answer
They will annoy you no more senor,'
he said with the anxiety of hospitality,
mo more"
What Have you sent them away to
some of your outlying detachments"
asked Geyil-Hay. for he had learned by
this time that the robbers were posted at
many points in the mountains.
Don @. laughed, a venomous, sibilant
laugh.
They are gone-yes, with the other car
rion-the vultures alone know wherei'
The chief was in one of his black moods
OF intense and brooding melancholy.
They were common with him, but this
was the first which Gevil-Hay had seen.
1t suddenly struck him that some leaven
of insanity might Turk behind the fierce,
bird-like aspect No wonder his follow
ers obeyed him at the run. His gener-
osity and vengeance were out of all pro-
portion to the deserving.
"Some day" said Gevil-Hay abruptly,
"they will resent this kind of thing
There are many ways; they might betray
you, and then"
Don @. gave him a poisonous glance.
II have made provision for that also
but no. senior, when I die, it shall be in
my own manner and of my own will -
and he relapsed again into musing.
1t was then that Gevl-Hay found him.
self wishing his ransom might arrive in
full and wishing it with fervor. In Il
few minutes Don Q. spoke again.
"If you own a dog, he may love you;
but a pack of wolves are kept in order
with the lash These" he waived his
hand toward the cleaning campfires in
the hollow are wolves. Also many men
desire to join us-many more than | care
to take. So you perceive, senior, l can
afford to lose a few who offend me-"
So the days wore on. but one evening
there was a new development.
Gevil-IIay was allowed to wander at
large about the glen, and on this. occa-
sion after an ugly climb he arrived at
the head of the deep and narrow cleft in
the higher rocks, along the bottom of
which a faint track was visible. As he
surveyed it with an involuntary thought
of escape he heard his name mentioned.
OF course 1t was some hidden sentinel,
but The was surprised when the man re-
peated his call in the same low voice,
for Don @ s men were usually sullen.
what do you want?' asked Gevil-Ifay
after a little hesitation
1.-The thing | say must be forever be-
tween us two alone. You can help us;
we can help you. That is the reason |
speak No, senior, stay where you are.
If YOU promise ! will show you my face
al promise nothing
"Ah, that is because you have not
heard. Is 1t true that my lord of the
sierra is taking from you all your
riches?'
Yes"
And you, like the rest of us, would