The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-02

soon the Champion would return, ana
preparations were at once begun 10 put
into execution the designs OF destroying
the cruiser.
CHAPTER III.
In the Andrade household the news of
the Instruction of the fleet had created
the greatest surprise to all except one of
its members. Herminia, not wishing to
arouse the suspicious OF her father and
her sister Alyina, assumed some outward
show OF uneasiness and concern, but In
reality the girl was calm and collected, be-
cause she had been prepared for the event
long before hand. She belieyed, did
thousands of others at the time, that In
the end the party to which her betrothed
belonged would come out victorious, and
the only anxiety she felt was lest some
thing dreadful and unforeseen should be-
fall Clifford. When alone she prayed de-
voutly to the Virgin for her lovers safe
return. Her father persisted that hence
forth she must break all connections with
that gringo." whom he termed a foul
traitor to the country of his adoption.
Herminia merely youchsafed the reply
that she would be true to her lover at all
times and under all circumstances, at
which old Andrade frowned. declaring in
loud tones that his doors would be barred
to her should she ever attempt to clandes-
timely marry that recreant gringo."
The preparations for the torpedo attack
were completed In one day and the same
evening the local press gave a detailed ac-
count of the whole arrangement. Old An
drade and his daughter Alvina, while read
Ing the papers, were discussing what eff
feet the dire news would produce upon
Herminia upon her return home for the
girl had been out visiting some friends
during the afternoon, and when she finally
arrived they were surprised that she was
already aware of the whole situation. On
her return home she had bought copy of
the Recluto from one of the news
boys who in shrill notes were offer
ing the extras" of the evening edition
on the streets, and which she now held op-
ened in her hand. As calm and unn1oyed
as the sphinx was the girl to all outward
appearance. but the inmost depths OF her
heart were stirred with overwhelming
emotions. Her ardent nature rebelled
agains the contemplated designs of the
people of her own race against one anoth-
er. and she was determined to save at all
hazards not only her betrothed, but every
soul on board the doomed ship, and was
also willing TO sacrifice her own life in the
attempt IL need be.
Partaking of but little food at the late
dinner that night. and speaking only In
monosyilables, she early left the company
OF her father and sister and retired to her
own rooms. Entering her bed chamber
she locked the door and. dropping on her
hiiNCS IA AfOHl VI the ptA. she buried her
feverish head In the depths of the pillows
and prayed long and fervently to the yir-
gin "Oh, Holy Mother OF God" she
sobbed, in Thy great mercy show me the
proper way and means to save those moor
souls from the clutches of satan. and T
promise Thee faithfully to devote my life
hereafter TO the poor and afflicted" Then
suddenly recalling the parting words of
her lover-"forget me not''-She drew from
her bosom the tiny sprays of the now fad
ed flowers, and. pressing them 10 her Inns
exclaimed: Clifford have never forpot
ten You. and If the good God gives me
strength 10 perform my task all viii yet
be we'll"
The plan upon which the brave girl had
resolved could not be acted upon ,nti,
everybody In the house had retired for
the night for she knew that to be seen
going out alone al this late hour would
arouse suspicious. Sitting down az an omen
window IN her sitting room she let the
cool breezes fan her aching TEMPLES vvhfa
she gazed out into the beautiful starlit
night and upon the blue waters OF the hav
beyond. When at last assured that every.
thing was quiet. the girl donned a aart,
shawl, which she drew closely oyer har
head and about her features. after the Gus
tom of the country, and having nut all re-
! jeweiry and what money she poSsesse, ~.
to her pockets. she crept softly along .ha
corridor. past her sisters bedroom, ara
down the stairs into the spacious bar
where she noiseiessly unlocked the huea
front door ana passed out into the street
Stealthiiy vending her wav thr,t,si, ~,
almost deserted thoroughfsres pr~,o,a-.
ed and scarcely observed by the notice .b,
at last reached the city limits ara ystta.
hriskly out into the suburbs rov-,rs
long sandy plain. called Ia PLAYA Anch.A
on this plain. which lies on a promontor,
south OF the city and its hay. stands -.
lighthouse. and a few isolated dvr.1t,.1
mostly humble nshermen's cottages -
also scattered about in irregular sf,-la
In one OF these cottages uve-3 ng.-.,
Lopez. bright young fisherman 80,
named ''Chica." on account OF his go
ness for that axhilarating bevarara o.LI1
wife had been q domestic IN tbe A,1,- .-Se
household before her marriage. ara - as
was greatly devoted 70 Heruipia - 40
| ter having often befriended tha 49,, tat-
times Of need. Having arrived A. ,hs - IN
| of these people. Hsrniniz sogflv- .~ S1s
several times AZ one OF the narrow -
dows and finally succeeded IL ar,,,,st-.' 80
| sleeping inmates and gaining a8rnit,ss. ''.s
Martha. the rSherman's wife NJ. .tN
| ouShiy frightened and bewuder.9 "pt-
holding the pale. trembling sf-s %
| middle OF the night. but FIerntrt, :" me
| allayed her fears and assured her r.. IN
harm haa oeialiea hsT. but thai xba "a
simply come 20 see whether Nrar,,e5 - I. Ha1
| az earliest dawn pun her a-our.f 49,. -.ltd
house point 10 the oting % ~. he.' sh1-
| alongside the cruiser Eianco 80 ana
| ore OF his small boats She esrYst--l,l n
/ 10 was impossible fer any onn :. t4lat
| boat in the inner harhor and thai ,t1 .'e
an important message 20 deliver a., -. i.-i
the cruiser. ~-~Ed
| LopeE was hoTrorsfricken. Ia 49,,
| 20 know why IN the name OF an - "a.tea
the dear senorffa might pozsibs,. SAINTS
| commit such folly as 70 so ont II ,hs - -
de OF the night. unaccompapfa.y -. -
81 her friends. and for The purrs,xe ~ -
| rig sssch silly request psa ,ba -
| chslA rot know that 10 BE- seen ros-, 49,, -
| these rebel ships" meant certain s-~t-~,e'
| ton. and did she really FOR a moment con-
template 70 aI1 a-isy body foo.aArey enough