Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-27
CHAPTER III
Spanish Gold

INItE twins were seven years old nh.
= Dona Isabers schemes bore their Ar.
bitter fruit. and the occasion was a ~.
ticularly uproarious night when Don E.,,
ban entertained a crowd Of his CastilIsr
friends. Little Rosa was awakened a,
a late hour by the laughter and shouts !,
her fathers guests. She was afraid "a.
there was something strange about m.
voices, some quality to them which ws,
foreign to the child's experience. Cream.
ing into her brothers room, she awoks
him, and together they listened
Don Mario del Castano was singing
song, the words of which were lost bu,
which brought a yell of approval from
his companions. The twins distinguishes
the voice of Don Pablo Peza, too-Don
Pablo, whose magnificent black beard haa
so often excited their admiration. Yea
. and there was Colonel Mendoza Linares
doubtless in his splendid uniform, Thess
gentlemen were well and favorablv
known to the boy and girl, yet Rosa be.
gan to whimper, and wnen Esteban tried
to reassure her his own voice was thin
and reedy from fright
In the midst of their agitation thsy
heard some one weeping; there came A
rush of feet down the hallway, and the
next instant Evangelina flung herself int
the room. A summer moon flooded the
chamber with radiance and enabled her
to see the two small white figures sitting
up in the middle of the bed.
Evangelina fell upon her knees befor,
them. Little master! Little mistress~
she sobbed you will save me, won't
you? We love each other, eh? Sc.
then, what a crime this Is! Say that you
will save mev She was beside herself,
and her voice was hoarse and cracked
from grief. She wrung her hands, she
rocked herself from side to side, she
kissed the twins nightgowns, tugging at
them convulsively.
The children were frightened, but they
managed to quaver: What has happen
ed? Who has harmed yOu?"
Don Pablo Peza," wept the negress.
"Your father has sold me to him-lost
me at cards. Oh, shall die! Sebastian
won't believe 1t. He IS praying. And
Asensio--- O God! But what can they
do to help me? You alone can save me-
You won't let Don Pablo take me awayf
1t would kill me-"
"Wait! Esteban scrambled out OF bed
and stood beside his dusky nurse and
playmate Don't cry any more. I'll tel
papa that you don't like Don Pablo"
Rosa followed. Yes, come along
brother" she cried, shrilly. Wen tell
Don Pablo to go home and leave our
Evangelina."
MY blessed doves! But will they
listen to you?" moaned the slave.
Papa does whatever we ask" they
assured her, gravely. IF he should
growl We'll come back and hide you IN
the big wardrobe where nobody will ever
fad you" Then hand in hand, win
their long nightgowns lifted to their
knees, they pattered out into the nan
and down toward the living room whenc'
came the shouting and the laughter.
An Apparition
Don Mario de Castano, who was facing
the door, stopped in the midst OF n
bald song to cry: God be pralseol
What's this / see?"
The others looked and then burst lnt0
merriment, for across the litter OF caru'
and dice and empty glasses they saw
d.mpled girl and boy, as like as WO
peas. They were just out Of bed iney
were peering through the smoke, ana
blinking like two little owls. Their e'r
dent embarrassment amused the guesS
hugely.
80! You awaken the household WIN
your songs" some one chided Don Mai'0
1.-TWO cherubs from heaven" ailOu'''
exclaimed.
And a third cried, "a toast to Esteoan :
beautiful children"
But the father lurched forwaiu'
frown upon his face. What Is ms,
dears?" he inquired, thickly Run Op
to your beds. This Is no place tor ~
I'VE love Evangelina," piped ~
twins. you must not let Don raD''
have her-if you please"
"Evangelina?"
They nodded I'VE love her
She plays with us every day On.
We want her TO stay here,
belongs TO u.s." .,,i
Accustomed as they were 70 p'oa.. ~,
compliance with their demands u,
spoke imperiously; but they nao ~, ~.
seen frown like this upon their a.. D,.,'
face, and at his refusal their voices ~,
squeaky with excitement ana
tainty. .a,ts'
GO TO your rooms my
Don Esteban directed, finally -. I,
"We want Evangelina. She oe''
u.s." they chorused, stubbornly'