Part 31 (2/2)

It proved the very sort of way he ishi+ng for; dark froh park-like wall extended along one side of it, within which were the trees, their great boughs drooping down over

Keeping close in to the wall he glided on, and had got soht hi froure was as yet barely discernible, but there was a certain soer of the policeht the practised eye of Zorillo, involuntarily drawing frouazil!”

Whether the man was this or not, he must be avoided; and, luckily for the dwarf, thehim were at hand, easy as convenient

It was but to raise his long ar branches, and draw himself up to the top of the wall; which he did upon the instant It was a structure of _adobes_, with a coping quite a yard in width, and laid flat along this, he was altogether invisible to one passing below

Thethere, but walked tranquilly on

When he ell beyond earshot the dwarf, dee himself safe, was about to drop back into the lane, when a murmur of voices prompted him to keep his perch They were feradually beco more distinct; which told hi the spot He had already observed that the enclosure was a grand ornae house on its farther side

Presently the speakers appeared--two young ladies sauntering side by side along one of the walks, the softdown upon them As it fell full upon their faces, now turned toward the wall, the dwarf started at a recognition, inwardly exclaie!”

CHAPTER FORTY NINE

A TALE OF STARVATION

It was the garden of Don Ignacio's _casa de caht, with balh the sky, had drawn the step, as it were, to thatof the _czenzontle_ But note of no nightingale was in their thoughts, which were engrossed by graver the from them, and not a word of then?”

The question was asked by the Dona Luisa

”That we haven't heard from them is--in a way,” responded the Countess

”Yet that may be explained, too The probability is, frouarded, as we know they are, they'd be cautious about coer--which I hope they haven't--he must have been intercepted and ht compromise us But I know Ruperto will be careful Not to have heard of them is all for the best--the very best

It should almost assure us that they're still free, and safe somewhere

Had they been recaptured, we'd have known before this All Mexico would be talking about it”

”True,” assented Don Ignacio's daughter, with a feeling of relief

”They cannot have been retaken But I wonder where they are now”

”So I myself, Luisita I hope, however, not at that old ave me a description in one of his letters It's somewhere up in the mountains But with the country all around so occupied by troops it would seeot over the Sierra, and down to Acapulco If they have, we needn't feel so very anxious about them”

”Why not, Ysabel?”

”Why not? Ah! that's a question you haven't yet come to understand

But never ood time; and when you do, I've no fear but you'll be satisfied; your father too”

Don Ignacio's daughter was both puzzled and surprised at the strange words But she knew the Countess had strange ways; and, though a bosom friend, was not without some secrets she kept to herself This was one of the for an explanation