Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-04-08

ed. '"rostado himself shall obtain the
release, and it is TO be remembered
by you that if anything happens af-
terward. you still pay"
y
DON TOSTADOS bale that night
- was 4 most memorable occasion.
Cost much, but what ! care?" said
the senior "Vira the Nightingale.
Vamos, everybody When the morn
ing come. Don Tostado go way wiz
the prima senorita of the worr. Ees
il not 50. leetle dove? Flower of
my heart, we dance again"
1T shall be ever as thou sayest."
said little Dolores Thou art indeed
a galanteador who is irresistible. and
I am thy slave Out Of the goodness
Of thy heart though, thou wilt see
that no harm befalls the young
Americana who give me ribbons?"
Have I not said so? Yer good it
ces already done. You shall send
back the cinta you now wear, to Your
frien and say Eat Don Tostado have
tell him TO go way. Me. I put one
tousau. diamonds on each leetle fin
ger. Ne, I'm bes caballero in Worl."
The hours flew by on the wings OF
revelry Dawn brought the first
flush to purple mountain tops. Juan
Cabrilio, secretary to the Jefe Poiitico.
presented himself at the Quartet He
had notes both from his excellency.
who was indisposed. and from Senior
Morwych. who was also drunk. 1t
was all a mistake about the Ameri-
Cano.
"Bueno,"
The matter had been adjusted; he
was TO go free.
"Bucnc,"
The secretary had note from her
who was the lady of Don Tostado's
choice - also hair-ribbon; the
Americana would understand.
"Bueno." again, Who cares?
So. at the hour which is usually
selected for removing a man from the
Quartet to a spot against the adobe
wall, they liberated Johnny Powell
and handed him note from Senorita
Romero. accompanied by hair rib
bon that was not as beautiful as the
one in his pocket The message was
this
Senior Powell:
Il return thy ribbon that thou
mayst understand there is nothing
any longer between US. Senior Tos-
tado. who is very rich and honorable.
is to take me away, and this morn
ing ] go with him joyfully Because
of his goodness of heart. he has in
terceded in thy behalf. but thou art
to cross 10 thine own countrT at
once and never return
81 who am most proud and happy
advise thee to think no more of
DOLORES ROMERO"
Johnny fingered the satin bow. and
his sensitive fingers. trained TO de-
tecu the slightest irregularity in an
ivory cube, felt the crinkle of paper
under the center knot OF the ribbon.
He stuffed the bow carelessly into his
coat pocket
Make a nice little souvenir. he
said to the secretary. "Tiene cigar
lilo"
The secretary proffered cigarette
and shrugged apologetically. His
excellency would prefer that you not
return to the hotel. and SO ! have
myself to collect your money at
Senior Brayfield's. 1t ees here. We
ride south TO Ayala, and there YOU
may cross"
You're some little master of cere-
Inb el- 1oIo
on"
Twenty feet past a jutting rock
that hid them from view of the Guar
tel on the hill. Johnny Powell leaned
forward in the saddle. and his right
fist caught Juan Cabrillo just behind
the ear. The secretary to his excel
lency slumped off sideways, and
sprawled face downward in the dust.
Forth from Johnny Powells pocket
came his lady's ribbon. Under the
knot was a second note. His eyes
deciphered the lines written hurriedly
in pencil:
"Querido Milo:
"Thy kiss is still warm on my lips
how can l go to my death, knowing
thou wilt think me false? Tostado Is
old and ugly. and most terrible
| mon ster. But the price was thy life,
beloved-and gladly therefore do 1
pay.
'In my bosom there is poison / have
| got from la Belle Helene. This will
I take when thou hast reached safety.
Go, and in the days to come (may
they be many, amor mio) think
some times of the little one who is no
more.
"Adios-
DOLORES"
Juan Cabrillo was coming to life.
Brayfield's gamekeeper slapped. and
| shook, and clawed the man out of his
stupor, found a gun and jammed 1t
| into Cabrillo's ribs-pulled the whole
| wretched story out of him in gasps.
| AT the Casa Cruz" shuddered his
victim, ION the Canine San Miguel.
81 si-they are to breakfast there.
Mercy, senior, do not kill
Flung bodily into the mesquite.
! Cabrillo lapsed again into coma and