Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-04
CHAPTER xIv-Continued.

their comrades on outpost should keep
the strictest silence as to her entry. step
ped aside so that the light from the fire
without should fall on her face.
Then he shut his eyes to hide the hurt
they showed at sight of her. Long years
had passed since he had looked his last
oTk the Hofburg. and she had changed.
as maid will. since they had paced its
corridors together. but he knew now. And
she had known since the day on which
lie had ushered her through the palace
at Alta Cruz.
He set his heels together with a click OF
spurs and squared his shoulders. as he
had been wont to do in that past when
was weighing so heavily on them both.
n very handsome fellow he was as ne
stood there in uniform. the freight flick
ering OH steel and gold.
In what can Won Rudolf serve MADE
moiselle?' he asked, with careful cour-
tesy. in formal French.
II had hoped to find friend here.
Karl she said her tone so wistful that
he WINGED. and all his stiffness vanished.
Eff. he whispered, pleadingly. on an
overwhelming impulse, will you believe
me if tell you that tie fight was fair?
God knows / did not mean to XIII Gus
tav-- What hope would there have been
of winning you across your brother S
point and his foot slipped so that it
pierced him to the heart.
Il would it had been l who
She held hand up and so silenced
him. Gustav will share the blame when
he and you cast count together. Karl, ~
she promised for the dead man. Il know
the fight was fair-since 1t fell between
you and him. But, oh. the pity of it.
A sudden sobbing shook her. and he
turned away his head not knowing how
fn,.t
her. Life had gone very hard with both
of them since that dark day when Gustav
Florian had died at his hands beside the
Danube.
us Stephan with your he asked. as
she dried her eyes. and fresh tears gath,
cred while she answered, stephan died
in New York not many days ago. My
poor Stephani We suffered much to-
gether. he and l. He broke his heart in
exile. and-and now l am the only Florian
left.
What of yourself Karl?''
He shook his head and sighed. I'm
finished he said. simply. land with me
the Won Rudolf line. 1t is best SO.
Forget me, Fiji. and-forgive me, If
you can. My life is one long punishment.
Now you must go. I'll see you through
the lines somehow. and-dont come back.
Even with me you are in gravest danger.
1 can't imagine how you got here safely
Or why you came.
Il had no difficulty" she said. simply.
''The American sentries at the stair had
no aut hority to stop me. and | came by
the roadway to where your men were sta
toned. I know no Spanish, but when
spoke your name they seemed to under
stand They were most courteous. You
have much power among these people.
Karl
II am commander-in-chief of the forces
of San Benito." he answered. gravely.
Il came to ask favor of you she
continued. and for a moment he looked
happier. Then his brows bent again. as
he remembered that a man must die at
dawn. and for the cause which claimed
her also
Fate has bereft me of all save my
honor he said. slowly. Must l sell that
as well to pay i'm part the debt l owe
you? Is there no other way?'
She saw that he was not addressing
her and remained silent until his frown
passed. But her heart sank. for how
could she ask him now to set the prisoner
free.
''If I could see the president she
TT would not be for good he assured
her. earnestly. His excellency is in
famed against your friends and-I am
his servant"
He communed with himself again. and
suddenly his eyes lit up. his face cleared
He had seen suddenly how he might
earn acauittance for the deed which had
sundered them two for all time.
I'm spite of that he said. in a glad
voice. Il think-yes 1 can promise you
the service you require of me-
THAT Mr.. Meggs will not be-not be
shot?"
mo. he will not be shot. 1 promise
that. Now come with me-
That night there was much traffic to
and fro between the pickets. and the
Gordon about the besieged was drawn
closer each time that Won Rudolf went
the round. as he did at frequent intervals.
A sortie from the starfoot was repulsed
after hard fighting. and then the garrison
seemed satisfied that it was hemmed in
too effectually to have any hope of break
ing through.
His excellency had decreed that Meggs
should suffer the last penalty in the dis
guise with which he had tricked the
guileless general. and just before day
break Won Rudolf strobe back from the
stable buildings beneath the hacienda to
the camp on the ridge to see that all was
ready and according to the instructions
promulgated. His orderly was with him.
He passed into the guard tent. sent the
two warderS there on watch away and
sat down beside Meggs.
Those outside could hear him conversng
quietly with their prisoner for a few min
utes ere he called the guard in again.
and once more went afield through the
night. in the direction of the hacienda.
would exchange no word.
Ybarra was astir betimes. and one of
Won Rudolfs underlings had charge of
the parade. which formed.up in the dark
and started fer the scene of execution in
good time to reach it with the dawn.
The president intended to impress the for
eigners or watch above with the exacti,
tude of. justice as administered by him
self, and to express his displeasure with
Won Rudolf by the appointment of a
subordinate to the stage management of
the display.
The man in woman's clothes and a long
cloak who walked. in the dim light, be-
side the cart which held the coffin needed
no help on that last stage of his earthly
Journey The black and yellow men OF
the battaions rolled their eyes and
nudged each other as they watched him.
They were no towards in so far as fear
ing death went, and could appreciate cool
courage.
The square was formed and one side
opened out to let the bullets through
The sappers did their hasty work with
pick and shovel the firing party took
position as their target of his own accord
passed to the place appointed for him.
The priest performed his part. they
to an unconsecrated grave.
And. from the cliff above, bugler
sounded the Last Post" to mark COM
rade'S passing.
CHAPTER XIV.