The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-10

during this speech. and at it's conclu-
sion a servant announced that an or
derby was below to see Colonel Mendez.
The colonel went down and returned
almost Immediately with very grave
face.
This is indeed serious" he said, ad-
dressing Cardenas. Brown, the Amer
lean, escaped just before sunrise this
morning"
Escaped" exclaimed Delaigne, I'M
able to repress the satisfaction with
which he heard the news.
Yes monsieur" said Mendez, fixing
Delaigne with a cold stare; "in some
way unknown to me at present he
eluded his guards and fled to the out
skirts of the city, where he was over
taken and shot"
KILLED, colonel? Was he killed."
Instantly. monsieur"
Delaigne caught his breath, shudder-
ing, and turned aside. The colonel con-
tinued with a frigidity of tone that
failed wholly to mask his excitement
and anxiety:
THE affair will be investigated to
the last detail. I fear there is no es-
Gaping 1t. l must go at once and keep
an eye on the situation lest 1t bring
unmerited suspicion upon your excel
lency and your daughter than whom
there can be none more loyal to Spain"
Il will go with you," said the senior,
anxiousy.
They hurried forth, and Delaigne,
crushed by multitude Of sorrows, saw
with an added pang. the deeply sig
nif1cant glance that passed between the
| colonel forth
to protect and serve her, and she trust
Ell him. Her eyes told SO much plain
ly. Did they reveal more?
'Senorita," said Delaigne, the mo-
ment he was alone with her, II am in
despair! I begin to see the danger to
| which 1 have exposed you. To think
that my act places your household in
jeopardy. All! it is maddening!"
do not think of it," she responded.
81 am more distressed at thought of
your unfortunate friend"
Poor Brown he should have gone
back to New York while he had the
chance"
Delaigne's tone was most somber, and
for a moment he lapsed into silence.
Then he broke out desperately:
1.-THE event decides me, senorita. 1
cannot longer remain in this false po-
sition with regard to YOU"
False, monsieur?'
Eyes, utterly false! My presence
here, my acquaintance with you is a
constant menace to you, your father,
and all you hold dear. l am no French
man, senorita. My name is indeed De-
laigne, and at some remote period I
suppose that my ancestors of that name
lived in France; but am an American,
borE and bred, and God knows that l
am proud Of it! 1 am here as a news
paper man." he continued. assigned
to duty in Havana because my name,
my knowledge of France and it's Ian
guage, enable me to live here without
suspicion. YOU like the rest, have sup
posed that I represented French COM
mercial house that has New York con-
nections. My money comes through a
French bank and apparently from
French sources. My correspondence is
directed to Paris, or is supposed to be.
My Sympathies in the war are SEEM
ingly with yours, on the side of Spain.
All this is false. 1 am not only loyal
to my country, but from the beginning
1 have been ardently in sympathy with
the instruction, and hardly a day
passes that 1 do not try to aid it by
sending information to America that
is prejudicial to the cause of Spain.'
He spoke with extraordinary vehem-
ence, and at the end stood before her
with clenched fists, his brow moist and
his eyes flashing. She, having recoiled
pace or two when he announced his
nationality, listened in rapt attention,
he r~I1
he finished there was slight pause.
Then she stepped forward, with both
hands extended to clasp his.
why" she asked, with sadness and
wonderment in her voice, "why have
you told me this?
Because love you," he answered.
Il loved you from the moment we
first met, I think" he continued, sim
ply, "and it has been sore trial to
me to maintain this false position even
when it seemed that nothing but good
could come from it. 1t is impossible
to maintain it longer. My love of my
country is greater than I can express,
but I do not think any American would
expect me to go on thus at the expense
of the lives Of innocent people. It
doesn't matter how others might view
it. 1 must act as see my duty, and
that calls upon me imperatively to con-
fess my real character to the govern
ment and take on my own shoulders,
where 1T belongs, the entire RESPONSE
bility for the attempt to rescue Brown"
You must not do that" she re-
sponded quickly. Then, more slowly:
Il appreciate your position fully, and
I honor you for it. You cannot pos
sibly mend matters by making yourself
known to the government. 1t is gen.
erous of you to think so, but 1t would
be fatal. You must escape from Hav-
ana. Let me show you why and how"
She spoke with greater animation
eagerness, even.
my father and Colonel Mendez were
discussing documents received from
the Palace last evening. They relate to
the proposed landing Of an American
expedition and include the plans by
which the expedition will be captured
Those papers are still in the house,
in this room. The fact that Brown
was here and that a friend tried to
save him, aided, as 1t would certainly
develop, by the daughter of de Carde-
mas. would lead inevitably to suspicion
that Brown came to get possession Of
those papers, that you were cognizant
Of his purpose, and that I and all Of
us were disloyal. No denial would
avail. The best possible outcome would
be the subsection Of my father to sus-
l