The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-06

I window above, elinging to the bars What
| is to be done? they said; and one who
| seemed the leader, answered-'We will re-
main here without noise in the shadows,
| for surety this man whom we have
seen this evening in the company of snug
| glers and thieves. will come presently
with the tobacco he received to see this
woman, and he added words, my lord.
| that should not be spoken of a woman
she paused, for she was crying very Bit
| terly.
All" commented Don @. And after?
| 'Robledo heard the words. and they
| hurt his heart, for he loves me. He
| dropped from the window on the mans
| shoulders, even before he had finished
/ speaking-and Robledo had a knife in his
| hand"
so the fellow died who maligned you?
Mop"
Il have heard so, lord. He lay upon
the ground. and l saw Robledo run very
swiftly up the street, and there were five
yelping at his heels. They were out OF
sight in a moment. And doubtless Roble-
dc would have escaped, for he is the
bravest and the swiftest of all men; but
they chased him into the arms of pa
troll who were stationed at the end of
the street near the plaza He wound
ed two, but there were ten against him
What would your"
so he permitted himself to be made a
prisoner"
The chiefs thin smile pointed his COM
ment bitterly
Yes, for there were many" Isabella
|. deprecated then resumed, in much agi-
tation-"Next day my mother made IN
quiries at the prison. after her wont.
None suspect her. And they say he VIII
be taken out to the Alameda on SUNDAY
morning and garotted.
IF you were afraid why did you come
into the mountains?" The question took
the girl aback visibly.
ITO tell my lord" she stammered.
"Rut what have | to do with the mat
ter?"
MY lord will deliver Robledo. My lord
never deserts his people, she said proud
ly.
was it while upon my business that
Robledo was captured? Had 1t been so
doubtless I should have released him.
"But-but--O my lord you cannot
mean you will let him die?'
~ am afraid, dear Isabella that you
have fathomed my meaning said Don
O. with Indifference. ut would be sub
versive of the discipline which l main
tain among my men were | to release
Rabledo. who was taken prisoner while
disobeyng my commands"
But he loves me-" she urged.
THAT also | did not command him to
do"
| Isabella stared at Don @. She could
not believe her ears. That the chief
upon whom all her world relied, should
forsake Robledo and leave him to his
fate was absolutely unbelievable. In her
misery she stepped nearer to him, but
she could see no sign of relenting in his
fierce eyes or upon the sinister lips.
But Robledo is the most faithful of
all my lords followers" she cried. In
prison he is waiting the aid of my lord.
Shall he expect in vain?'
There was still no answer Carried be-
yond herself with the sorrow of the mo-
ment, she turned on him.
"They will say in the plains that the
arm of my lord of the sierra is grown
short, seeing it cannot stretch far enough
to pluck the most worthy and brave of
his men from DEATH"
''They will not say that replied the
brigand gently.
why not?'
Because, my good Isabella. I shall
take care TO avenge Rob1edoAwhen he is
dead"
The girl looked at him in corror. Then
she burst out
"Since I could walk" she stormed, 81
have been-I, too-in the service of my
lord Who sent the news to the noun
tains that Don Luis was coming, carrying
poison In his hat? 1t was Il Who did
her part when my lord came down into
the city by night to enter the palace of
Don Felipe Mazda? 1t was !. But why do
I.talk in vain? My lord knows. They say
he cannot forget! But that is not true.
He has altered and can forget us now