Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-06-27


Then he was introduced to their parent,
but as he had given no name as the
gentleman who so kindly put US on the
road in the mountains"
The stranger explained that he had
come again for a hunt, and having
heard that the Herreras were to give a
fete had taken advantage of the fact
10 meet them again in accordance with
their invitation. Naturally he attached
himself to Donna Pepita. who. putting
her hand through his arm. asked him
II he would like to so the rounds and
meet her friends
81 would prefer, senorita,' he said.
''to walk with you in your garden.
Your guests l shall not likely meet
again since do not live in your neigh
borhood, and the formality OF an in
PRODUCTION would not interest me-
So Donna Pepita led him out into
the garden. where, after walking about
for awhile amid the plants, they seat
ed themselves upon a rustic seat, where
they remained conversing till the hour
| for supper arrived, when they went
| into the house.
! Though there were many guests ar
rangements had been made to seat
/ them all IN the banquet hall. The
! stranger. who, on account OF his tne
figure handsome face and a certain in
describsble uniQueness there was about
him. attracted marked attention, was
taken by Donna Pepita to the main
table where sat her father and mother,
and seated her guest beside herself.
The guest OF honor. Judge Cardozo
from Madrid. was seated on Sonora
Herrera's right. opposite the stranger
and Donna Pepita. The judges eye no
sooner fell upon the guest before him
than he regarded him with a curious
and suppressed stare. The stranger
apparently took no notice Of the fact
that he was so intently regarded,
though his brows, to a close observer,
would have been seen to slightly con-
tract. One thing the judge noticed:
His vis-a-vis placed his hand to his
hip, where he seemed to be making
some sort Of an adjustment.
This act seemed to deter the Judge
from q remark he was about to make.
At the same moment the host, who
was sitting near, began to introduce
CardoZo to several guests in close
proximity to him. When Herrera came
to Introduce the stranger. not knowing
his name. he hesitated. A quick glance
passed between the stranger and the
Judge, the latter being about to move
his lips as though to supply the name.
But there was that in the formers ex-
preston which deferred him. Mean
while Don Miguel passed on to the
next introduction.
"Youf face" said the Judge to the
stranger, "is familiar TO me-"
II do not remember you. senor," re-
piled the other, land l trust you are
mistaken"
"WhyP'
Because a gypsy once told me that
just before my death l would meet a
judge, and that the judge would die
but short while before me-"
This singular remark attracted the
attention of all within hearing. Donna
Pepita looked up at her companion with
an expression of startled terror
I'm that case," rejoined the judge, II
decline to remember you"
Little was said by those in the vi
cinity for some time. The stranger
was watching every movement OF the
Judge. who seemed TO be casting about
:, him for something-possibly an oppor-
=. tunity
Presently the stranger, arising from
= his seat. said. addressing the Judge:
Il did not come here to be an incubus
o on these festivities. especially since
, they are given by those | respect and
> admire. / remember you very well
Judge Cardozo. The last time we met
you kindly Informed me just how long
, / had to live-or, rather the day on
which l would die. But your walls
/ were not thick enough for those who
!, love me. l disappointed you.
: Yes. I am Ieandro Sierra. by in
? heritance n grandec of Spain. who lost
q his fortune at the gaming table and
!. took to the road like many a gentle
r man among our ancestors. Never till
I this moment have | regretted my act -
He paused and cast n glance down
: at Senorita Pepita. full OF momentary
anguish. then concluded:
r Il will retire, and I trust no one
a will make a scene by attempting t.
Il stop me-"
h With a pistol In each hand he with
I, drew. walking out through the throng
r as though he did not care whether he
d were attacked or not No one in the
II room was armed. and he was not In
e. terfered with Besides. those who had
e been sitting near and had heard his
n words were engaged with Donna Pepi
d Ia, who had tainted.
" A few months later LeandrO Sierra
d again stood before Judge Cardozo q
D. receive a sentence OF death. But hC
was much changed since the first time
10 he had listened to his doom. His
n meeting with Donna Peplta Herrera
is had effected the change He listened
Ia with bowed head. and when the sen
* tence had been pronounced said:
This time. Senior Judge. there vii
* be no escape. ! do not care 10 i've"
20 Not long after the bandits execution
=. Donna repita entered a convent