The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-10

 him and explaining his history in snatches here and there, till everybody knew that this was the young spendthrift, long thought dead, returned to redeem his name. To the old Marquis de Santa-Cruz, Don Alvar de Bazan y Benavides, kins- man, he whispered that he would pay the prodigals debts and begged that he be helped in his designs to gain good place at court for the young man.
 There was whispering and joking. The wild history of Don Caesar was well known in Madrid; but the spendthrift had not been seen in 10 years. Few of those then at court had known him. Those who had been acquainted with him were not surprised that time and change should have altered him from the dissipated lad that they recalled
 "The Queen!' cried an usher.
 In magnificent attire, under a canopy of scarlet velvet supported by four gentle men, while ladies and pages walked be- fore and behind, the beautiful Maria de Neubourg entered the great chamber. Ruy Bias trembled as he gazed at her. His knees seemed to give way. His heart stormed.
 He was aroused by Don Salluste, who | picked up the plumed hat and set it on his head. "Coverl Cover!'' said he. You | are grandee of Spain, Don Caesar" "what would you have me do?" asked l Ruy Bias, his brain a-whirl The scene seemed to him a delrious dream. abo hat baa rf should shrink before an expanding for tuner" asked Don Salluste. "Awake I quit Madrid. My house. the mute ser wants and all else in 1t, I leave to you. When I am ready, you will receive my other orders. Fear nothing. The time Is opportune. The courts place where one needs little light I'll see for you Meantime, what would I have you do?"
 He turned on his heel and spoke over 1 his shoulder Please that woman," said he pointing to the Queen. Before Ruy Bias could reply he disappeared in the gorgeous crowd.
 Within few days the announcement of his downfall spread through the cap ital; but none could gloat over him in per son, for he had departed secretly.
 For a few days Ruy Bias loitered around the court, striving in vain to solve the riddle of Don Sallustes de- signs. He found the little house near the palace supplied bountifully with all that man needed to uphold the character of a grandee.
 Each day he went to Caramanchel for the blue flowers, as he had gone l when he was only lackey. Each night he scaled the wall of the Queens private garden to lay them on her bench. One night he slipped A point ed spike pierced his hand and wounded him SO sorely that he left bloody imprint on the wall while some of the lace of his sleeve remained hang ing to the iron point. where the Queen found it next morning.
 She hid it away with the flowers and saved 1t as she had saved the unsigned letter that told her that in depths of obscurity far beneath her 1 there was a man who loved her, a man humble and poor, who would give his soul for her happiness.
 The day after this episode Ruy Bias was appointed equerry to the King, through the influences of the Mar quis De Santa Cruz. He was ordered to join the monarch at his hunting E lodge but his stay there was brief Charles II suddenly felt a gracious and unwontedy noble feeling in his breast and decided to send his Queen a mes- sage to show her that he thought of her. He dictated note to Ruy Bias and sent him back to Madrid forth with to deliver 1t.