The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-30


again with that graceful little courtesy oil
hers she went away, leaving him much
puzzled.
Two days later she appeared in his room,
evidently much disturbed.
Il Thought that you had leftme altogether
and am glad TO see you, for ! tire Of that
deaf Moor and d this fine room. / want
fresh air."
Il know it," she answered, $50 / have
come to take you to walk In a garden"
He leaped for Joy at her words, and
~snatching at his sword, which had been
left to him, buckled II on.
You will not need that she said.
Il thought that 1 should not need It in
yonder inn, but / did, he answered. Where
at she laughed, then turned, put her hand
upon his shoulder and spoke to him earn
estly.
See, friend she whispered, you want
TO walk in the fresh air, do you not, and to
learn certain things2-and l wish to tell
you them. But I dare not do 1t here, where
we may at any moment be surrounded by
spies, for these walls have ears, indeed.
Well, when We walk in that garden, would
1t be too great a penance for you to put
your arm about my waist-you who still
need supportf'
n penance at all, I assure you,' an-
swered Peter with something like a smile.
For after all he was a man, and young; while
the waist Of Ihes was as pretty as all the
rest Of her. But he added, 1T might
be Misunderstood
quite SO, l wish II to be understood; not
by me, who know that you care nothing
for me. and would as Soon place your arm
around that marble column"
Peter opened his lips to speak, but she
stopped him at once.
'0h! do not waste f~alsehoods on me, in
which Of a truth you have no art she said
with evident irritation. why. II you had
the money you would offer to pay me for
my nursing, and who knows, / might take it.
Understand, you must either do this, SEEM
ing to play the lover to me, or we cannot
walk together in that garden
Peter hesitated a little. guessing a plot.
! while she bent forward till her lips almost
touched his ear, and said in a still lower
voice:
And l cannot tell you how, per-
haps-I say perhaps-you may come
to see the RENAME Of the Doha Mar
garet, and certain other matters. 'Ah!'
she added after T. pause. with a little
bitter laugh. now you will kiss me from
one end Of the garden to the other, will
you not9 Foolish man! Doubt no more;
take your chance. it may be the last
"of what? kissing you? Or the other
things?"
That you will find out" she said, with
a shrug Of the shoulders. Gomez
Then while he followed obviously, she
led him down the length OF the great room
to a door with a spy hole in the top Of it
that was set in a Moorish archway at the
corner.
This door she opened, and there beyond
it. a drawn scimitar in his hand. stooda
tall Moor on guard. Inez spoke a word
to him, whereon he saluted with his scimitar
and let them pass across the landing to a
turret stair that lay beyond, which they
descended. At it's foot vas another door,
whereon she knocked four times.
Bolts shot back, keys turned. and il was
opened by a black porter, beyond whom
stood a second Moor, also with drawn
sword. They passed him as they had
passed the first. turned down a little pas
sage to the right. ending In some steps,
and came to a third floor, in front Of which
she halted.
Now she said, nerve yourself for the
trial"
What trial?' he asked, supporting
himself against the wall, for he found his
legs still weak.
This" she answered, pointing to her
waist, "and these and she touched her
rich, red lips with her taper finger points,
would you like to practise a little. my
innocent English knight. before We go out?
You look as though you might seem awk-
ward and unconvincing."
Il think" answered Peter dryly, for the
humor Of the situation moved him, that
such practice is somewhat dangerous for
me. 1t might annoy you before l had
done. l will postpone my happiness until
we are in the garden"
Il thought 3d." she answered; "but look
now, you must play the part or Ishall suffer,
who am bearing much for you
Il think that / may suffer also" he MUIR
catch his words.
"No, friend Pedro she said, turning
on him, 1T is the woman who suffers in this
kind of farce. She pays. the man rides
away to play another" and without more
ado she opened the door. which proved
to be unlocked and unguarded.
beyOn0 the lOOJ Oh soTne Steps lay Il most
lovely garden. Great, taPering Expresses
grew about it. with many orang trees
and towering shrubs that filled the soft.
Southern air with odors. Also there were
marble fountains into which water splashed
from the mouths OF oarven lions and here
and there arbors with stone seats wherein
we're laid soft cushions Of many colors.
II was veritable place Of Eastern delight
and dreams, such as Peter had never known
before. as he looked upon it on that Ian
guorous eve, he who had not seen the sky
or flowers for so many weary weeks OF sick
ness. II was secluded also. being sur
rounded by a high wall, but at one place
the tall windowless tower Of some other
building Of red stone scared up between
and beyond two lofty cypress trees.
This is the harem garden Ihez whis-
pered, where many a painted favorite
has fitted for a few happy summer hours
till winter came and the butterfly was
broken and as she spoke she dropped
veil over her face and began 10 descend
the stairs.
CHAPTER w