Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-10-17
W. va SATURDAY.. OCT. III 1896

piece OF lead In his heart, remember
the duty of a comrade and friend
| and send the tidings to the fallen
ones home.'
s.Condanacian Senior, do not
talk SO despondently, for Gods sake.
It is growing dark and the chill
| creeps up my back like Shiny rep
tiles. If anyone dies tonight it will
be me, mark it, Valentino
"Ughl' shuddered the other. I'VE
are both growing superstitious."
"Aye, superstitious, but not cow
ardly. Never, as far back as the
Cespedes can trace their pedigree,
has there been coward, and now
"Hist, Pedro
Valentino had suddenly thrown
himself upon one knee and raised his
hand as a sign OF warning. He lis
tened attentively for full min
ute, then cautiously approached his
companion.
"a sentinel be explained in q
whisper. II have plan TO over
come this guard and force him to
betray the position of the confined
spy"
"Goodl Here are the chips
once, twice, alb, three times, / CO.
Pedro crept away and disappeared
in the gloom.
With taxed nerves the waiting VAL
entino crouched upon the earth, with
his stiletto barred, ready at the least
call to lend his comrade assistance.
Slowly, almost with the hardness OF
hours, the minutes passed by.
ut is accomplished" Valentino
muttered, as low whistle was borne
TO his ears.
Stretching his limbs to give them
their former strength and supple
ness, the insurgent hurried off in the
direction of the sound. He had not
advanced far before he discovered
Pedro bending over the PROSTATE
| form of the sentinel.
"Have you killed him, senior 7" be
asked.
"No, the fellow is only scared and
has already given US the desired in
formation. The one we are in search
of is confined in tent just outside
the generals headquarters, up on
the hill yonder where you see the
three red lights; help me bind and
gag him, senor.'
It took but a moment to make the
| prisoner secure, and the two were on
their way again. The generals tent
was less than quarter of q mile
distant, but the greatest precaution
was necessary 10 lodging the senti-
nels.
"There, at last / believe we are
safely inside the lines, senor."
"Not yet, Pedro"
"ArtoP (halt) cried low firm
voice of command.
Both came to dead stop, but the
quick-witted Valentino was equal tc
the emergency. The carabinero who
had so suddenly changed the tide OIL
events STOOD with his gun at his
shoulder dozen feet to the right.
"We are friends, senor.'
"Give the countersign."
"That we cannot do; but we must
see the general tonight, as we have
important information. Here is s
permit that has passed US thus far
see for yourself that it is not fraud,
and the Cuban held out the letter.
Taken off his guard by the appar
ent irankness of the man before him
the unsuspecting carabinero allowed
the butt of his rife to fall to The
ground, and stretched forth his hani
for the paper.
There was bright fash of stee
as it passed swiftly Though the air.
"The night has its Victims NUT
tered Valentino, as he wiped off and
sheathed his blade. a'Tis some poo
mothers son, hardly beyond the lin
its of boyhood yet, and still it hat
to be done.n
And mastery stroke that die
fright to the heart, senior, with
out doubt
"Come."
The captain could say no more
tears were in his eyes and he wished
that the hellish work was undone
He could hardly suppress sob al
he thought of the aged mother OIL
the other side Of the sea, waiting an(
praying for son that would neve
return. Oh, the anguish of tina
momentl
| Suddenly he halted, for ahead o
him, not dozen rods, was the ten
for which he was searching. Pedrt
remained a few steps behind to guart
against surprise, and alone the BRAY,
rebel captain crept up to the eanva
| flap.
| There was light inside; he peep
ed in-there upon bundle of blank
cts, with her hands and feet secured,
bound, lay-not man, but the form
of beautiful girl.
| For a moment he could hardly be
lieve bis eyes. Was she the spy
| "Ahis
Like a fash of lightning the trut