Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-19
Don Jirninez
Continued from page s

aloud and then he muttered to himself " 1t
would ransom soul more perJured even than
mine Canst show 1t to where that
buried treasure lies" he cried again after the
figure following faster even than his words.
His excitement had dulled his to every
sound. save that soft unearthly voice. He
heard no crunching wheels, no stralning leather.
no slipping chains. Indeed. he had left the
stage road so far behind in his pursuit of the
will o the wisp CLEAN of satin and lace that the
sounds were almost inaudlble.
An thou CouldSt see our trystlng place.
wouldst then recall thy Carmelita," questioned
the voice. Follow then, and | will show
thee
He saw again the misty. spectral shape. re-
vealing the moons caressing touch on satin and
ON lace The fitting figure seemed to be that
of a Young girl who ran lightly over the ground.
twisting in and out among the trees even as a
human thing might run. The soft night air
was filled with the sound of broken sobs and
broken words of love. Forgetful of everything
save the buried treasure and the thing that was
leading him to it, the man rushed on.
But suddenly his onward course was arrested
by hoarse shout. by the CHATTER of horses gal
Looping down the hill. And, even at that very
instant the world grew dark. yelled all about in
cloud of fog that swept across the earth and
shut out the moon with all its radiant hight.
The cassocked figure of the man was the only
shadow left among the hills
by the distant clatter of the stage, he realized
its defeat even as he doubted if he had indeed
seen the misleading spectral vision. Curslng
and swearing, he turned and forced his way
through the trees. down the hill, and into the
hacienda which lay dark and silent. asleep in a
sea of fog.
TT was the breakfast hour at the hacienda
Estudilla. Donna Perfecta had gone from
the room for a moment leaving her guest Sit
IL III: 1,,,~ ~
the window. Don Jiminez more gloomy even
than was his wont, had sworn volubly IN Eng
lish that he would eat no breakfast and. under
his breath in Spanish, that he would sit at the
table with Grngo
Miss Halleck leaning both arms on the table
looked at the of her hostess with curious
smile on her lips, curious light in her eyes.
"Efiipo, F1lfbo, she murmured teSoro de mi
| aima!" The words were soft and low but rip
ping with laughter.
Springing as a cat would spring upon a
mouse, Don Jiminez was beside her, gripping
the table with both hands gazing down on her.
She. after first momentary shrinking. looked
full into his lowering eyes.
"It was you, then, Miss Halleck!" he NUT
tered
at was you. then, Don Jiminez. " she ques-
toned, "you, who disguised as poor Padre
Filipo twice robbed the stage from Rands-
burg" Her voice was steady.
How did you" the man began, his hand
gripping the table even more hrm!y, as though
the fingers longed to crush the life from the
white throat so near to him.
"How did | know" she asked. her voice
still cool and steady. Il did not know; but
you. you yourself, suggested the idea to me-
You said it might be the Padre Filipo who
robbed the stage. l saw you yesterday with
your pistol. The fragrance of your everlasting
cigarette led me over the trail close on your
heels. The rest was easy. l am an actress.
was born in Spain Donna Perfecta, all I'M
Willingly, provided me with my ghostly raj
ment All. Don Jiminez" She flung her head
back with little laugh. "Glower at me if you
will l am not afraid of you, and m sure my
fathers stage and my fathers gold, yes. and
perhaps my fathers life, will be safer from you
for all time. Foolish Don Jiminez! She even
laughed again. Why did you never ask me