The herald., 1898-07-17

we nave been able IN times past 10
serve the Cuban cause nightly by con-
veying information to the insurgent
forces. With the beginning of the
blockade our work became more diff
cult, we'll nigh impossible. Military
regulations were more stringent anG
the Gordon of Notifications around the
city being strengthened in every direc-
ton 1t was not possible to utilize our
former means of communicating with
our friends. Some of our messengers
were captured, others were unable to
get into the city. 1t was and is seri-
Gus question as to who can be trusted
that is now in Havana.
THUS it was on Sunday when plans
for intercepting an American eXpedi-
| ton were sent as usual to my father
for his criticism. Neither he nor Men
deg could think of way to get the
| information to the Americans. Th,v
knew of nobody whom they could send
and they knew of but one possible
route, the one that you took. When you
confessed your nationality and SYM
| pathies next morning, it flashed upon
me that you could be our messenger.
I wanted to give you the papers out
right, but dared not If Maurice speaks
| the truth thought l, he will take the
papers if 1 give him the opportunity.
If he does not if his confession is part
of q vile plan to entrap us, he Will
let them alone So I took longer time
than 1 needed in getting the map, and
as soon as you had left l opened the
secretary. The papers were gone and
1 rejoiced, knowing that you were true,
but 1 wept. Maurice. for l feared for
you, and have prayed increasingly for
your success. And now" she moaned,
you must die for the cause
YES" he said absently,'I must de-
owe tried to save you" she con-
tinued, in broken tones, but we could
do little without risking the cause that
tc us is above all else. My father, who
rejoiced when l told him how l had
made you take the papers. even went
to the Palace to suggest the danger OF
dealing severely with French sub
iect, but we were told to come here
and make our statements before the
court. So, apparently, We were COM
PEELED to sacrifice you, but If we had
told the whole truth you know that you
would have Jared worse. You would
have been hanged at once. Maurice"
"I suppose So" said he, gloomily
Then with evident bitterness, Il take
it that Colonel Mendez did not over
exert himself in my behalf"
you heard his testimony" she an
swered. hesitatingly. HE saw from
the start that there was no hope of
saving you, and in truth, such is his
devotion to the cause that he urged
that we denounce you as an American
in order that our own position might be
strengthened thereby. I could not con-
sen. to that, and he yielded, but If you
had said one word calculated to throw
suspicion upon us, he would have told
enough to condemn you instantly. l
knew. Maurice, that you would not say
anything that could reflect upon u.s."
At this moment Colonel Mendez en-
tered. His cold eyes darkened when he
saw Louisa standing so close to De-
laigne.
Leave us, senorita," he said, shortly.
She turned at once to obey, and De-
laigne's heart throbbed violently as he
saw again that glance of perfect trust
that passed between them. She had
said that she loved him and he could
not doubt her, but she trusted Mendez.
Il suppose she has told you the
facts" said the colonel.
EYES," answered Delaigne, and then
as his sense of love and life rushed over
him bringing a great longing for both,
he burst forth passionately: "She tells
me l must die for the cause, your cause.
colonel. 1t is not mine, much as have
tried to serve it. 1 do not even serve
my own country by my death. Is it
necessary? Is it fair? 1t is neither,
colonel. You have influence, authority.
You risk both repeatedly for purposes
connected with the cause. Can you not,
will you not risk them so little as to
save me? It is not as If l were known
American, or a Cuban. I am on the
official record as a Frenchman. Surely
the risk is not great and you can &C.
complish it If you will. Give me
chance for life, colonel! Enable me to
break away and have run for it at
least"
dez interrupted.
Impossible" he said. 1.-THE situa-
ton is too delicate. Your emotion sur
prises me, monsieur"
He spoke with an undisguised sheer.
II believe you wish for my DEATH"
exclaimed Delaigne.
THAT 1t may help CUBA, yes. But
there is a way by which you can gain
at least a respite and probably life.
Denounce me-"
"Betray your" gasped Delaigne, hor-
rified. "Doyou suppose could do that?"
mo. and 1 will prove my faith in
you. If you whispered a word against
me I should be lost. I have a plan of
an insurgent attack to be made here
this night. If it were to be found
upon me- nothing could save me-"
Evidently he was about to speak fur
Their on the matter, but just then the
door opened and the orderly entered
hastily.
"Oh! colonel" he whispered, with
| choking sob, ''the general in command
of the division has arrived and some
traitor or enemy has denounced you"
| For once Mendez was startled. RE
tire" he said; there is way OUT
The orderly disappeared and Mendez
drew from his pocket the plan Of Gu
ban attack. Taking Dciaigne's capfrom
his head, he put the papers in the
lining.
You have been searched" he said,
hurrisdly, land therefore will not be
again. AS nothing will be found upon
me to arouse suspicion, I may face
down the accusation
| This was barely accomplished when
the commandant of the fort" ap-
| roorad oooor,no,fo1 J,xy n or,,ord