Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-16

encircling her wrists. When she looked up
1t was with smile so radiant that the
young man gasped for breath, and his
heart beat faster than ever 1t had done in
warfare.
But you will not give me up?" she MUIR
INJURED softly.
Then indeed would I be fAithless
minion." cried the young man fervently.
fascinating sex. which I never adored so
much as now"
You mean that you would be faithless
to your country. but not to me?"
WELL" said the young man with some
natural hesitation. II shouldn't care to
have to choose between my allegiance to
one or the other. England can survive
without warning upon women, as you have
said. so hope that If we talk the matter
amicably over, We may find that my duty
need not clash with my inclination"
Il am afraid that is impossible" she an
swered quickly. Il hate your country"
But not the individual members of 1t, I
hope"
81 know nothing of its Individual mem
bers, nor do l wish to, as you shall soon
see, If you will but let go my wrists"
"Ah, signorino.' exclaimed the young
will make me hold you forever"
I'm that case,' said the girl. 81 shall
change my argument. and give, instead. a
promise. II you release me shall not en-
deavor to escape; may even be 80 bold as
e,
If understand you Alright. you were but
just now going"
81 accept your promise, and shall be de-
lighted II you will accept my escort. Mean
while. in the interest Of our better ac-
Quatntance, can l persuade you to sit down
and allow me to cast myself at your feet?"
The girl. with a clear. mellow laugh, sat
down, and the young man reclined in the
position he had indicated. gazing up at her
with intense admiration In his eyes.
ssIf this he war" he said n himself sT1onQ
may remain a soldier"
infatuated. as he certainly was. his natu-
raj alertness could not but notice that her
glance wandered to the stiletto, the per-
pendicular shining blade of which looked
like the crest of glittering. dangerous
serpent, whose body was hidden in the
leaves. She had seated herself as close to
the weapon as possible, and now, on one
pretext or another. edged nearer and near
er to 1t. At last the young man laughed
aloud, and sweeping his foot round, knock
ed down the weapon. then indolently
stretching out his arm, he took 1t.
'Signorino," he said, examining its keen
edge. will you give me this dagger as q
memento of our meetins?"
1T is unlucky." she murmured, Ito make
presents Of stilettoes."
up at her with a smile on his lips. at will
be more lucky for me II place 1t here in
my belt than II allow it to reach the pos
session Of another"
"Oh. no. II you refuse to let me have It
will give 1t back to you when our inter-
view ends; but should be glad to possess
1t II you allow me to keep IT.
1T is uniucky. as have said. to make a
present Of it; but I will exchange. II you
will give me one of your loaded pistols, you
may have the stiletto''
"a fair exchange" he laughed, but he
made no motion to fulfill his part to the
barter. MAY I have the happiness Of
knowing your name, signorino?" he asked
II am called Donna Rafaela Nora" an
swered the girl simply. II am daughter Of
the commandant of Fort San Carlos. I am
no Nicaraguan, but a Spaniard. And,
senior what is your Manner
'Horatio Nelson, a humble captain in his
majesty's naval forces, to be heard from
later. / hope, unless Donna Rafaela cuts
short my thread Of life with her stiletto."
And does a captain in his majesty's
forces condescend to play the part Of spy?"
asked the girl. proudly.
He Is delighted to do SO when 1t brings
MIN the acquaintance Of another spy so
charming as Donna Rafaela- My spying,
and imagins yours also, IL but amateur
fsh. and will probably be of little value to
our respective forces. Our rsal spies are
now gathered round your fort, and will
bring to us all the Information we need.
Thus 1 can recline at your feet. Donna Ra-
faela, with an easy conscience, well awars
that my failure as a spy will In no way re-
tard our expedition"
How many men do you command. senior
captainr asked the girl with ill-concealed
"Oh, sometimes %. sometimes 30. or 100
or 200. or more. az the case may be-" an
swered the young man careleniy.
But how many are there In your expedt
Didn't you count them. dounaf To an
swer truly l must not; to answer falsely
"whyr asksd NE s.z1 impstuously