Page:The Road to Monterey (1925).pdf/230

 hope in her very words, that he would stay. She pressed her face between the bars, reaching out her hand.

"No, I'll not go to Monterey," he said decisively.

"Gabriel, Don Felipe went into his office a little while ago."

"I was watching him."

"He will be coming to set Roberto free in a minute. Go, Gabriel!—but a moment for my benediction."

She reached her hand to him, fluttering it like a frantic bird. Gabriel reined nearer, caught it, pressed it to his breast.

There was the sound of bare feet running. Liseta, who herded goats on the hills, stood panting at the corner of the patio.

"The soldiers, Don Gabriel!" she said, pointing toward the pueblo.

Helena started, looked across the vega where the barley fields were yellow.

"Gabriel! they are coming! You will be lost!"

"I will go to the hills," he whispered, leaning near.

"Nearer, Gabriel—for my benediction!"

Her face was pressed hard between the bars, her convulsive hand was now within his own. A little way to her lips, and that way so swiftly passed.

"Ah! what angel!" said Liseta.

Gabriel rode into the olive lane, thinking of a