The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-06-06
CHAPTER II.
Spanish Gold.

The twins were seven years old when
Donna IsabePs schemes bore their first
bitter fruit, and the occasion was a
particularly uprOarious night when
Don Esteban entertained a crowd Of
his Castilian friends. Little Rosa was
awakened at late hour by the laugh
ter and shouts Of her fathers guests.
She was afraid. for there was some
thing strange about the voices, some
quality to them which was foreign to
the chiId's experience. Creeping into
her brothers room, she awOke him, and
together they listened. Rosa began to
whimper, and when Esteban tried to
reaSSure her his own voice was thin
and reedy from fright
In the midst of their agitation they
heard some one weeping; there came
rush of feet down the hallway, and the
next instant Evangelina flung herself
into the room.
She fell upon her knees before them.
Little masterl Little mistress % she
sobbed. you will save me, won't you?
We love each other, Ell? See then,
what a crime this is Say that you
will save me!''
they managed to quaver: What has
happened? Who has harmed you?"
Don Pablo Peza,' wept> the negress
''Your father has sold me to him-lost
me at cards. Oh, shall diet Sebas-
tan won't believe it He is praying
And Asensio- But what can they do
to help me? You alone can save me-
You won't let Don Pablo take me
away? 1t would kill me-"
'Wait !" Esteban scrambled out of
bed and stood before his dusky nurse
and playmate. Don't cry any more
I'll tell papa that you don't like Don
Pablo"
Rosa followed. Eyes. come along,
brother she cried, shrilly. "We'n tell
Don Pablo to go home and leave our
Evangelical
my blessed dovesl But will they
listen to you?" mOaned the slave.
Papa does whatever we ask" they
assured her, gravely. eff he should
growl Wen come back and hide you in
the big wardrobe where nobody will
ever find you Then hand in hand,
with their long nightgowns lifted to
their knees, they battered out into the
hall and down toward the living room,
whence came the shouting and the
laughter.
Don Mario de Castano, who was fac
ing the door, stopped in the midst OF a
rfbald song to cry: God be praised
What's this 1 see?"
The others looked and then burst
into merriment, for across the litter OF
cards and dice and empty glasses they
saw dimpled girl and boy. as like as
two peas. They were just out of bed /;
they were peerins through the smoke,
and blinking ike two little owls.
"SoI You awaken the household
with your songs" some one chided Don
Mario.
1.-TWO cherubs from heaven" another
exclaimed.
But The father lurched forward. a
frown upon his face. what is this, my
dears?" he inquired, thickly. run
back to your beds. This is no place
for you
1--WE love Evangelina," piped the
twins. "You must not let Don Pablo
have her-if you please"
'sEvangelina?"
l0oF nOuQSQs e love H0T. :
She plays with Us every day.
We want her to stay here. =. She
belongs TO u.s."
Accustomed as they were to prompt
compliance with their demands, they
spoke imperiousiy but they had never
seen a frown like this upon their f.
Tiers face.
t'Go to your rooms, my sweethearts,"
Don Esteban directed.
Eve want Evangelina. She belongs
to US" they c!lorused. stubbornly.
Don Pablo shook with laughter $50
She belongs TO you, Ell? And Tn to
be robbed of my winnings. Very wen.
then. come and give me kiss, both Of
Won, and TIL see what can be done"
But the children saw that Don Pab-
los face was strangely flushed, that
his eyes were wild and bis magnificent