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

thought we observed the fugitive seel
shelter here"
And you did only your duty In en-
tering. You are satisfied Of your mis-
take?"
"Assuredly, your excellency. A thou
sand pardons for the disturbance"
"A loyal Spaniard cannot take of
Tense when soldiers do their duty"
The officer departed with his squad
and Cardenas and the colonel withdrew
again to the drawing room.
"Ah! dear one," began Delaigne
gratefully. He took her hand but il
lay so cold and motionless within hi.
own, that he stopped, confused ant
doubling
I'VE have but just begun" she said
ut must not become known that an en-
envy to Spain found even one moments
shelter in the house of de Cardenas."
True" said he, 1.-The deceit must bt
carried further. Listen, senorita; the
fugitive Is a correspondent for al
American newspaper. He has been 6
loyal friend to me. For my sake you
have saved him thus far. For my sake
secrete him in the house until he car
leave it with safety"
1T must be done for my fathers
sake" she answered.
They went around the balcony, and
as they approached the spot where the
fugitive lay. he stood up.
Brown" whispered Delaigne.
Maurice. In heavens name how
came you here?' returned the other.
Follow u.s. said Delaigne, without
attempting a reply. I'VE will hide
you
Louisa led them back to the stairs,
meaning to conduct the American to
the stable at the rear of the patio.
Just as they began to descend, Colonel
Mendez and Cardenas stepped from
the drawing room upon the balcony.
The colonel saw and understood Inc sit
uation at a glance.
80" he said, sternly, there was a
man here!'
HE is my friend, my closest friend"
exclaimed Delaigne, eagerly. TT is my
fault that he was not exposed to the
soldiers. I want to save him because
he is my friend. Come, colonel-senor-
the house of de Cardenas Is above sus-
picion. No one need ever know that he
was here
He paused, realizing the hopelessness
of his plea as he saw the stern faces Of
the two men.
Il am an American" began the
newspaper correspondent.
Then you are an enemy to SPAIN"
said Colonel Mendez, coldly. You are
my prisoner, SIR"
"Ah. monsieur, monsieur! You were
very indiscreet! AS for the part my
daughter took in it-weil 1 have spoken
with her and she understands me. You
may dismiss that from your mind, mon
sieur."
Senior de Cardenas drew a long breath
and looked regretfully at Delaigne, who
stood before him with the attitude and
expression of penitent culprit. 1t
was the morning after the arrest of
the American. That episode had ter
minated abruptly in the departure of
Colonel Mendez with his prisoner, and
a cold Good night. monsieur" from
Cardenas. Delaigne had gone home,
overwhelmed with anguish on behalf
of his friend, and bitter regrets that
the attempt to save him had put Louisa
in so unfortunate light. He had told
himself that for the present at least all
hope of winning her must be aban-
doned. After the war-perhaps!
The young man was deep in his dis
nal reflections when, less than an hour
after his return home, message ar
rived from Senior de Cardenas. 1t con-
veyed nothing but request that he
call at the mansion on the following
morning, but it gave him hope, and he
had obeyed the summons at an early
hour. The senior lectured Delaigne,
kindly, but in unmistakabie terms, and
Delaigne, accepting the reproof, siren
uously urged that Senorita Louisa be
acquitted of all blame. She came into
the drawing room while they were con-
versing. Advancing to Delaigne, she
gave him her hand and said:
| Il am sure my father will let me say
that we both sympathize with you in
your devotion to your friend, monsieur.
Whatever else may be said, you acted
upon a noble impulse"
Il must be permitted" interposed the
senior. Ito temper that truth by this
much: impulses in these times are the
most dangerous guides to action. You
are Frenchman, monsieur, and there
fore cannot enter wholly into our feel
| ings. We are devoted to a cause that
| is above all possible ties of friendship
Moreover, in yielding to your impulse
| in behalf of one friend, you overlook
| the probable damage you would do to
other friends"
II hope not" exclaimed Delaigne. "It
all seemed plain to me on the instant;
| the high position your excellency sus-
| tains with relation to the government
your unQuestioned loyalty"
And so on, all seeming to make it
home as a shelter for Spains enemy
All, monsieur! You are too young to
realize that in these days no man may
be above suspicion. However, do not
distress yourself. Unfortunate as it
was for your friend. it was fortunate
for us that Colonel Mendez was here.
I am confident that he will manage so
that the affair will not reflect unpleas-
antly upon U.S."
Il trust so, senor," said Delaigne,
with perfect sincerity, while yet his
heart was heavy at thought of his
American friend. Still, Brown would
be but prisoner of war, and being an
American his treatment must be bet
ter than if he were a Cuban insurgent.
There was some comfort in this
thought, and a great deal more in the
fact that the adventure had not cut
IL