Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-11-08

what means this intrusionf he
heard spoken In a voice which lie rec
ognized as Maria's.
Pardon. senorita," said mans
voice. but there Is man in this house
who Is wanted. We must find him."
''In lady's chamber"
II regret to disturb you"
You mean that you regret to insult
me-"
THAT Is not intended
"You come into my room when am
in bed and yet you do not intend to
insult me?"
God forbid that 1, French soldier,
should insult woman"
"Will you take the word of ladyT'
Certainly"
well, then I am an unmarried wo-
man. Is 1t not an insult for you to
look for a man in a maiden's bed
room?"
Certainly, senorita, provided the
man is not some near relative"
There Is no near relative of mine
In this house. My father Is at the
capital. have no brother Would
that l had 70 protect me from this in
dignityw
This evidently had a marked effect
on the man. for after a humble apol-
ogy he closed the door. and all was
still. In few moments the closet
door was opened, and Maria. in
double gown, stood before her lover.
Get into the bed she said, "and
will take your place In the closet.
When they do not find you In other
parts of the house they will return
and search this ROOM"
As he stepped out Of the closet she
was about to go in when steps were
again heard without. Maria took the
key from the outside Of the closet door
and put 1t on the inside, but she did
not close the door.
Have you your pistol?" she asked
hurriedly.
1.-TWO Of them"
"Well, be guided by what I say to
any one who comes to the ROOM"
Fernandez got into the bed with his
clothes on and covered himself up.
Maria had blown out the candles In the
room, and it was dark. She stood
within the closet. the door open and
her hand on the knob.
Colonel Villiers had sent his men
to search the house, and when the
man who had failed to search Donna
Maria's room returned and reported
that he had been prevented from do
ing SO by motives Of delicacy for
woman the colonel started at once to
make the search himself. But the colo
mel was gentleman Of France, and
the work before him was not to his
taste Going to Maria's bedroom, he
knocked at the door.
who's there?- asked Maria.
Pardon me, senorita. but l must
search your room. am sorry to-
II give you warming" interrupted
Maria, that will not suffer insult a
second time. / have armed myself.
and whoever desecrates the privacy of
my chamber shall receive a bullet for
doing so"
The colonel. though he disliked to
intrude upon woman forcibly. was
not afraid OF one who opposed him In
a masculine way. He opened the door
and entered. His figure was plain
enough to one In the room, but he
could see nothing. He had taken two
steps beyond the Intel when a pistol
cracked from the bed and he fell In a
heap on the floor.
Quick! Change with me-" cried
Maria as she darted from the closet TO
the bed. As Fernandez passed her she
seized a pistol from him and hurried
into bed. Fernandez took position In
the closet The exchange had scarce
ly been made when the colonel's men.
having heard the shot, appeared before
the chamber door and saw their COM
mander lying in the opening.
Garry him away" said Maria from
the bed. IF any Of you approach me
l will serve you as l served him.
The men drew back at this. But in
another moment one Of them asked
whether, If they attended to the colo
mel, they would have to do so under
fire.
so long as you attend to him." was
the reply, you are safe. All / ask OF
you Is to respect me"
At this one of them raised Villiers.
who had bullet In his lung, and. see
ing that he was alive, took him up and
carried him into another room. Maria
called to Fernandez:
Now is your chance The men have
lost their leader and are busy minister
Ing to him. Go before they again turn
to continue the search for you
Rather you go before they return
for their revenge. I will join you"
What! You. to whom the church
has not united mel"
I'VE Will 60 to priest"
$50, then; will follow you"
In another moment Fernandez was
on a trellis without the window. and
Maria followed him Reaching the