The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-20

ing, and knew that a fire was being
kindled on one of its deserted hearths.
At once he began to more. To arrive be-
fore one is expected frequently discon-
certs an enemys tactics. Tying up his
horse as near to the edge of the, wood as
possible. that It might be easy to find
Don Q. crept up to the building, through
the ruined gateway, and across the court
yard. Within all was dark. silent and
mysterious.
AS he moved stealthly forward along
the stone passage where the night seemed
solid, a chill wind came after him, gath
erlng up the deathlike odors that cling
about places man has inhabited and for
saSen. His fingers had rounded broken
corner of wall, when Il rush of warmer air
brought him the pungent smell of kindling
wood He thrust out his head and saw the
entrance to the great central hall, against
which a broken dor, torn probably from
enc of the outbuildings, was propped
through and behind this the light of a
fire leaped and sank
1t has been said that Don @. was a
famous hunter; he crept noiselessly to the
makeshift No sound came from within
but the intermittent anger of the fire as
, It roared and cracked among the wet
wood The brigand slipped off his coat and
wrapped it shedwise round his left arm,
then thrust the door backward. 1t shook,
rose. poised second, and tapped upon
the floor. finging up a cloud of dead old
dust as it settled.
Con @. slipped into the opening, and,
seeing nothing but high wooden screen
that hid the fire. stood with his back
against the wall untn his eyes became ac-
| oustomed to the light.
| still no sound.
After waiting a few minutes he walked
| softly and swiftly round the screen. A
great fire roared up the chimney. an
empty stool was by the hearth: no more.
Yes He made out a figure drawn up
| into the darkest corner. between the
screen and the outjut of the chimney; a
figure. cloaked from head to foot.
81 have come" said Don Q. at last.
with your knife in your hand" said
| vibrating voice THAT Is WE'LL
! Don Q.'s arm fell to his side. A wo-
man!
| She threw back her cloak and adj
vanced into the full blaze-a tall girl with
passionate beauty that matched well
| her poignant voice.
Pardon senorita / expected to meet
with a different person"
But you are Don q. ?" she asked.
| The brigand swept his sombrero to the
! floor.
Her tragic eyes lit up.
"And you came to kill she exclaimed.
| COR to be killed.
| mo! Don O. will not belle his reputa-
| tion," she rejoined. HE may yet kill
T., some one tonight-if he daresr she added
| suddenly.
F, The brigand eyed her for minute.
| There are men allied to brave women.
men who are towards and who choose
| to be represented on occasions which
| they themselves fear to face. l have
received a letter bidding ME to come
| here Do you know anything of it?"
J "All since 1t was I who wrote It,"
The chief shrugged his shoulders. May
I be permitted to inquire-under whose
orders?"
! She smiled 81 am here alone, as I
wrote alone. Hear me, for there is not
time to spare" Don @. made a gesture
! of polite attention. He was keenly sus-
| piclous though there was simple ur-
| gency of woe in her face that almost
compelled belief.
| IT will tell you my name--I am Anita
del Vilar," she went on. land you are
not Don @. but
The chief flung up a fierce hand
Hush, not even dead walls must hear
Fit"
1 strange look came over her face.
II judged rightly You are the man who
once bore--that name. My life is in your
hands. Now know, that you will do fol
me all that l want" She bent near him
There was once a young girl, loving
! happy, and oh. lovely" Her voice
broke. MY little Lucia, my sister. She
was mine from the day our mother died
! We are of the MOBILES as you know but
secretly we stabbed the lean horse as
the saying is--the lean horse, misfortune
| He carried us to the verge of ruin, but
we hid our troubles WE'LL