The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-20
How Dom Q
Fought for
His Name

~ URING his life of brigandage In the
sierra, Don Q. earned for himself
~ name for relentless cruelty, but
he was cruel only because cruelty was
a necessary part of the equipment of a
sequestrador. Wealth he despised, save
as means of power; for his life he cared
little; indeed. he was wont to say that
only when 1t stood In danger did 1t be-
come endurable to him.
But there was one thing he valued, a
possession held in the secret of his heart,
cherished, guarded. beloved above Jail
else the world contained To this secret
he could turn for solaee during his long
fts of dependency when the bitterness
of the past surged back to torture him.
This secret, which he believed to be in
violate. set safe and high, far beyond the
snatch of fate, which he never dreamed
could again be jeopardized, was yet to
cost him some of the fiercest moments of
his life.
On an evening of late winter, Don O.,
rising from his freside, drew his cloak
more closely round him, and, going out to
the. terrace before the cave, began pacing
up and down. AS he walked, he read from
an old book of Spanish legends deeds of
high emprise, carried through with a
statelness of courage that lends so great
a distinction to many tales of Spanish
chivalry. Presently he closed the book
upon his finger, and as he walked amused
his mind by comparing his own career
with the mighty performances of old.
In the midst of his thoughts he drew up
- rd q
man who was making his way through
the groups cooking, gambling and smoking
round the fires in the valley. He rushed up
the path to the terrace, holding a noun
taineer's leather bag at arms length.
and laying it carefully at Don Q.'s feet,
sprang back to some distance.
What is this, Filipe?" The chiefs tone
was an ice-douche.
Felipe, with terrified eyes glued on the
bag. gasped: "A bottle, lord"
Corpse of a scullion!" Don @. snatched
at his knife. FOOL speak before cut the
words from your tongue
1.-The fathers from San Pedro sent it,
1t was found in the chapel before the
altar yesterday. No man would carry II
hither, for all said it must be an internal
machine. Then came Maria, the wife OF
Tomas, to confession. She brought 1t,
lord"
Don @. laughed till the young man
WINGED ana COlOfeu.
so it came by the hand of woman
after all; Maria shall not be forgotten.
Show the bottle to me.
Felipe jerked up his head and shivered
like a frightened horse.
ut will blow us to fragments, lord"
The chief drew out his knife and
pricked the man sharply in the thigh
Felipe started cast one glance at Don
@. and caught the Pickering malevolence
in his eyes. then leaped to obey.
He raised the bottle with shaking hands
II was of curious shape, made of some
dark-stained thick glass; the cork, well
rammed home in the neck was further
secured by strip of paper fastened over
It, On this slip of paper was written, IA
Senior Don O."
Lay it down" The chiefAstood for a
moment brooding. This was probably some
new scheme against his life. Felipe. "
he said at last tap that bottle with
the hilt of your knife until you break it
then we will judge whether it be indeed
an Internal machine"
The lad hesitated. But his chiefs eye
compelled White-lipped he stuck at the
glass till Don Q.'s short patience gave
way He seized Felipe's hand over this
knife blade, forcing a. strong blow. From
the shivered fragments of the bottle fel
out a letter
Don @. glanced at him.
Hand me the letter and go!' he said
BY the crimson light of the sunset the
brigand examined the letter.
"Senor," the letter ran, II invite you tc
meet me on Sunday at midnight at Las
Lechuzas. For the sake of the name yot
once bore, you will not fail me, and you
wilIs come alone"
Don @. looked at the seal and looked