New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-09-19
Don Jininez
'r-rasi ty0s, plgs 5

aloud and then he rnuttered to himself. 1t
would ransom a soul more perlurcd even than
mine. Cdn>t show II 10 me where that
buried treasure hes" he erred again after the
figure, following faster even than his words
His excitement had dulled his ears 70 every
sound save that soft. uneIrthly voice He
heard no Crunching wheels, no StraInlng leather,
no slipping chains. Indeed. he had left the
stage road SO far behind in his pursuit OF the
Will % the wisp CLEAN of satin and lace that the
sounds were almost inaudiblc.
An thou couldSt see our trusting place
wouldst then recall thy Carmelitls" questioned
the Voice. Follow then. and Will show
thee"
He saw again the misty spectral shape.
Vcdllug the moon s CaTcSSng touch on SATIN and
on lace. The fitting figure seemed 20 be that
OF a young glrl who ran lightly over the ground.
twisting IN and out among the trees even As 8,
human thing might run. The soft night air
was hlled with the sound of broken Sobs and
broken words OF love. Forgcttul OF everything
save the buried treasure and the thing that was
leading HIM 10 II. the man rushed on.
But suddenly his onward course was arrested
by hoarse shout. by the CHATTER of horses gall
looping down the hill And. even At that very
instant. the world grew dark. yelled all about III
cloud of fog that swept across the earth and
shut out the moon with all its radiant light.
The casSocked figure of the man was the only
shadow left among the hills.
Recalled 10 his sinister mission IN the woods
ny Iuc INSTANT CHATTER OF the stage. ne realized
its defeat even he doubted if he had indeed
seen the misleading spectral vision Cursing
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.
IT was the breakfast hour at the hacienda
= Estudilla. Donna Perfecta had gone from
the room for moment. leaving her guest sit
ting at the table, her son lolling in a chair by
the window. Don Jiminez. more gloomy even
than was his wont, had sworn Volublv III Eng
sh that he would eat no breakfast and under
his breath in Spanish, that he would sit at the
table with no Gringo.
Miss Halleck. leaning both arms on the table.
looked AT the son of her hostess with curious
smile on her lips. a curious light in her eyes
"FHPo. EMPo. she murmured, "teSOrO de mi
dbHd!' The words were soft and low but rip
ping with laughter.
Sprnging 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
" 1t was you, then, Miss Halleckl" he NUT
tered.
." 1t was you then, Don Jiminez. " she ques-
toned you who. disguised as poor Padre
Filipo, twice robbed the stage from Rands-
burg? Her voice steady.
How did you the man began his hand
gripping the table even more firmly, as though
the fingers longed to crush the life from the
white throat SO near 10 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. | 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. | am an actress.
was born in Spain. Donna Perfecta, all un-
Willingly. provided me with my ghostly raj
ment All Don Jiminezl" She flung her head
back with a little laugh. Glover at me if YOU
will. | am not afraid of you. and I'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 Jiminezl" She even
LAUGHED again. "Why did YOU never ask me