The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-07-31


1t took but moment to make the
prisoner secure, and the two were on
their way again. The generals tent
was less than a quarter of a mile dis
tant, but the greatest pre@ution was
necessary in lodging the sentinels.
'There, at last believe we are safely
inside the lines, senor."
"Not yet, Pedro"
"Arto!" (halt) cried low firm voice
of command.
Both came to a dead stop, but the
quick-witted Valentino was equal to
tine emergency. The carabinero who
had so suddenly changed the tide Of
events stood with his gun at his shoul-
der dozen feet to the right.
''We are friends, SENIOR"
"Give the countersign.'
'That we cannot do; but we must
see the general tonight, as we have
important informa ton. Here is a per-
NIT that has passed us thus far-see
for yourself that it is not a fraud" and
the Cuban held out the letter.
Taken off his guard by the apparent
franl1ness of the man before him, the
unsuspecting carabinero allowed the
butt of his rifle fall to the ground, and
stretched forth his hand for the paper.
There was bright flash of steel as
it passed swiftly through the air.
''The night has it's victims" muttered
Valentino as he wiped off and sheathed
his blade. "'Tis some poor mothers
son, hardly beyond the limits of boy
hood yet, and still it had to be DONE"
'And mastery stroke that did it =
right to the heart, senior, without
doubt"
Come"
The captain could say no more; tears
were in his eyes and he wished that
the hellish work were undone. He
could hardly suppress sob as he
thought of the aged mother on the
other side of the sea, waiting and pray
ing for son that would never return.
Oh, the anguish of that momentl
Suddenly he halted, for ahead of him,
not dozen rods, was the tent for which
be was searching Pedro remained
few steps behind to guard against sur
prise, and alone the brave rebel cap
tain crept up to the canvas flap.
There was a light inside; he peered
in-there upon bundle of blankets,
with hands and feet securely bound,
lay-not a man, but the form of q
beautiful girl.
For moment he.could hardly believe
his eyes. Was she the spy?
"Ah!"
Like flash of lightning the truth
dawned over him; he had solved the
mystery.
"Senorita!" he called, softly.
There was stir among the blankets
and pale sweet face, with soft dark
curls clinging about it like a veil, was
raised from it's hard pillow.
"a friend to aid you; one who has
your welfare at heart"
The girl raised herself still higher;
but not sound escaped her lips. 1t
was nor necessary, the soft eyes alone
told the story.
Swiftly Valentino crossed to the
pallet-swiftly he severed the cords
that bound her tender limbs-and swift
Iy he caught her lovely form in his arms
and dashed into the open air.
1t was all over in minute, for the Gu
ban had thrown canton to the winds;
his only thought, his only purpose was
to convey his precious charge to place
Of safety. Alas! that his haste was to
prove SO fatal.
"Arto! Who goes there?"
The sharp rattle of carbine rang out
On the still night air land the camp was
awake.
Courage, senorita, we will pass them
yet. Pedro. 10, Pedrol"
"Here. senior. Hasten; the horses are
n the hollow just beyond the hill"
1t was race for life and the patriots
won. Hardly were they mounted and
,ff before ,lozen or more carabineros
rushed into the hollow.
"Caballo! Caballol" they cried, and
discharged their weapons.
"Can you bold your seat, senorita ="
.he captain asked as he rode up beside
Ter.
with ease," she answered, bravely,
smiling family through the gloom.
"Thev are on horses and in pursuit,
enor. fear we are lostI" interrupted
ledrO.
tWhy so, comrade"
because, I-I-Valentino the girrs
horse is dyingl"
The captain lurched in his saddle as
though struck by blow. For the first
time he noticed the spasmodic leaps OF
the maiden's steed, and the gradual lag
ging of its pace.
Still on they sped-6ve-ten-f
minutes-and they began to enter the
hills. The wounded horse was fast
losing strength, but still the noble AM,
NAL plunged on till it's heart burst; and
with an agonizing groan it stumbled and
fell dead.
Tn a moment Valentino had the g'ri
on his own mount, and was dashlng
away In pursuit of Pedro.
Courage, senorita," he murmureo'
softly, and pressed her closer 70 DIS
breast. nesting his face among nel
beautiful waving curls.
P-i-n-gggI ~,
THAT fatal bullet tipped close to Inc
cantain's head, and was instantly FOL
lowed By q heavy fall.
100 rs,,d IN Heaven. COmaroaS ate