The Washington herald., 1914-05-31
OLD cA1noRI1A.

49, Se.e.>e y~s>'
The commsndants handed vascoS q
document. ..Lasten." he said Il trus'
you: therefore commission You to de-
liver this\ Important state affairs de-
pend upon M safe transmission- Vasco"'
"Senor commnndante." Vasco saw Z
strange liefit tremble In the old mans
eyes. It was the snrst time since he had
entered his service that he had heard
the commandante speak in other than
the cold. measured tones Of q superior
oficer
II am sending you upon an important
mission. .vasco. II you execute II faith
fully rapid promotion awaits you. l
could send older. more reliable men,
but"
His voice faitsred and he nxed tn.
younger man with . glance that was
the reason for my interest In you Once
IL loved your mother. the senorita
Dolores Another man won her. He
-was unworthy of her. He crushed the
youth out Of her with his tyranny and
Wild escapades. Finally he died-durins
q debauch. For generations your fam
iiy has been wild and rebeilious--it is
a weakness that has been inherited by
son from father. I want you to conquer
the curse that In In your blood. vasco-
for your mothers sake. Now 60"
yasco blurted out his gratitude The
old commandante's swords had inspired
him with vague tenderness that was
alien~to him. He could understand now
the reason for his preferment over old
er men In the service The command
ante's favoritism had engendered bitter
ness and won Vasco many enemies, but
he had never imagined that a love that
had outiived youth was the cause Of IL.
He thrust the document inside his belt
and walked slowly away.
The air Is lovely. senor."
Vasco halted abruptly. A woman with
red lips. big flashing eyes and a sinuous
Castilian figure stood beside him Her
reboze was drawn aside over masses Of
shimmering black hair. and her lips were
c1ried into q faint but daring smile.
Yes. senorita," mumbled Vasco awk-
wardly. his eyes fixed on the vision Of
gorgeous coloring and pink tints.
Bound on the comma andante's errand?"
she questioned. and Vasco noticed her
lips were as red as ripe cherries He
pointed to the document within his belt
1T 10 a lonely trail. senor. 1t leads into
bad places-el poso de los lobos" The
subtle invitation that trembled on her
lips was re-epforced by her eyes and her
smile. Her fingers plucked absentmind-
edlysat q rose pinned to her girdle
Vasco's heart beat faster. Red lips, red
blood. red wine had been the trinity of
curses that for many generations had
made his family brigands. Adventures
and rovers. Suddenly he remembered the
words: IT want you to
conquer the curse that Is In your blood
for your mothers sake" Even now his
mother was lying sick in the little adobe
fAA hta ~
face.
"Adios. senorita." But even as he stole
a last glance at her the tilt Of her head.
the glinting Of her eyes made his nerves
tingie. ''Caramba" he mumbled and
walked away.
Farewell. senorw The silvery laugh
ter she nung after him played sorcer-
ously on his ears. He shut his eyes by
sheer physical force. but the vision OF
dancing eyes. red lips. and soft. vibrant
tints .purused him. From the gardens
came the fragrance Of rich sensuous
scents. He turned and saw her standing
where he had left her, the tantalizing
smile. half a taunt. half an Invitation.
still on her lips. ar.
vasco forgot the commentaries ad- |
forgot his important mission. /
forgot the mother who was lying Ill. He
ran up to her. but rs he reached her side
she lodged, and with mocking laughter
eluded him. He pursued her through the |
garden, but whenever he fancied he had
caught her his s>hands clutched at empty |
air.
.'Senorita"' he cried.
She stopped on the threshold of a house.
the warm flush brought to her face by
he exertion. enhancing her beauty. Vas
20 seized her hand impetuously.
"virgen Santisimar' Her eyes laugh |
ID mischievously. Strange behavior on
The part Of a young man bound on the
mission. It is growing |
ate. senor. You must co.
"Yeur name?" he demanded, still hold |
ng her hand.
They call me Ysable-is that not |
She sought to release the little |
hand that trembled within vasco's
The day has been hot. Ysable. A glass |
,f wine! he begged.
Just one." she smiled teasingly. But |
lfter that you must leave"
She beckoned him into the house and |
placed wine before him. It was the same |
rad caused the ruin and disgrace of Vas |
,o's family. He drank, following with !
Eager glances the 1.-the, fresh figure that |
ripped about the room.
TT Is late. senor," she reminded him. |
Vasco strove to rise, but he felt as
{ leaden weight encumbered his feet
His head wagged dizzily, his eyes grew
bright. then of a sudden things
blurred about him, and with Ysabers
aunting laughter ringing in his ears
le. lapsed into inconsistencies.
When he awoke several hours later
he house was dark and silent. Ysabel
ad gone. He struggled to his feet and
With a supreme effort conquered an over
rhelminG drowsiness. Instinctively his
and sought the docume-t that had
opposed within his belt
Sacramento" he groaBed. While he
lept some one had stolen the letter. It
ad been Ysable. Of course-he under
TODD now. He cursed her and the wine
hat had been like fire In his veins He
eeled drunkenly over the floor and
topped into the open. The family curse
ad descended upon him. and he had I,
roved a traitor to the commandante
'ho trusted him and the mother who
wed him. And all because Of the wiles
a brazen adventures. |,
He walked slowly toward the little