The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-06-28
{ Short Story OF
HIF)N UU6ND His Reward.
Snare Moments.

Dtch MS IlSnt DlankeT, SaZeu upward IOr
moment ct the burning mass of stars
i'll the heavens, then fell back again to
dream Of sanguinary charges.
Surely not again senior captain? One
must indeed be cool to think so lightly of
a task like ours
Viva Cuba Librc! You are right, Pc
drove must be up and away
AS the TWO young men stand side by
side in the soft, mellow light OF the moon.
1t Is easy tc see that they are not of the
lower caste, or guajiros.
Now Is the tine to read the generals
Instructions, Pedro; the senior lays great
stress upon our actions tonight. inferno"
he continued, 81 moment later, as ..e open
cd the sealed package; 1.-The general is
terse, and sends US out to do much against
great odds. The spy, he SAYS, is a guard
ed prisoner in the Spanish camp, but his
whereabouts he knows not, and yet we are
TO iberate him at the risk of our own
! lives, and when we have accomplished
this receive any reward we may ask for.
But this spy-Why should our leader take
more tran commonplace interest in him?
When first he preached the subject to
me ne Wept like child, and implored me,
in the name of heaven, to save him. Pc
dro. there is n mystery here
II doubt it now, senior. See! the lights of
the Spanish camp, Valentino; we will halt
there. The moon is disappearing, the stars
ire falling and it will soon be dark"
The two men gazed for moment cas-
ward toward the fnsurgent country, and
then to the westward at the twinklipg
lights mile or so off on the plains.
"WilI they he here-the horses?' whis-
pered one.
"Ie is Il true Cuban, and will not fail
us in the hour of need; If he does, heaven
pity the spy-and US"
Hist Pedro.
Valentino had suddenly thrown himself
upon one knee and raised his hand as
sign of warning.
a sentinel!' he exclaimed, in 4 wis
per 81 have plan-to overpower this
guard and force him to betray the position
OF the confined spy
''Goodr'
Pedro crept away.
ut is accomplished" Valentino mutte"-
ed, as low whistle was borne to his ears
IL had not advanced far before he discov-
cred Pedro bending over the PROSTATE
form Of the sentinel.
"Have you killed him. senor?'
'No, the fellow is only scared, and mas
already given US the d sired information.
The one we are in search of is confined
in tent just outside the generals head
quarters up on tie hill yonder. Help ne
! to bind and gag him, senior.
The gen erals tent was less than quar-
ter of a mile distant, but the greatest
Drecaution was necessary in lodging the
sentinels.
"Alto!' ChalO cried low, firm voice Of
command.
Both came tc a dead stop, but the quick
yitted Valentino was equal to the emer-
gency.
''Give the countersign."
"That we cannot do; but we must see
the general tonight, as we have important
information Here is a permit that mas
PASSED us thus far-see for yourselI thal
it is not a fraud"
Taken off his guard by the apparent
frankness of the man before him, the un-
suspecting carabinero allowed the butt OF
his rife to fall to the ground, and stretch
ed forth his hand for the paper.
There was a bright flash Of steel through
the air.
''The night has its victims muttered
Valentino, as he sheathed his knife.
The captain could say no more; tears
were in his eyes, and he wished that the
hellish deed were undone.
Suddenly he halted, for ahead of him,
not dozen rods, was the tent for which
he was searching.
Pedro remained a few steps behind to
guard against surprise, ard alone the
rebel captain crept up to the canvas.
There was d light inside; he peered in.
There, upon a bundle of blankets, with
hands and feet securely bound, lay-not
man, but the form of beautiful girl
For moment he could hardly believe
his eyes. Was she spy?
"Ahp
Like a flash of lightning the truth
dawned over him.
"Senorita!" he called softly.
pale, sweet face, with soft, dark curls
clnging 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 a sound escaped her. 1t was not nee
essary, the soft eyes alone told the story
Swiftly Valentino crossed to the pallet
swiftly he severed the cords-and swiftly
he caught her in his arms and dashed into
the open air.
It was all over in a minute, for the Gu
ban had thrown caution to the winds; his
only thought was to convey his precious
| charge to safety.
"AIto, who goes there?"
The sharp rattle of a carbine rang out
on the still night air.
Courage, senorita, we will pass them
yet Pedro Ho, Pcdror'
Here, senior. Hasten. The horses are
in the hollow just beyond the hill"
1t was a race for life. Hardly were the
patriots mounted and off when a dozen
carabineros rushed into the hollow.
Can you hold your seat, senorita?" the
| captain asked, as he rode up beside her.
with ease" she answered bravely
'"They are on horses and in pursuit,
senior. I fear we are lost!" interrupted
Pedro.
why so, comrade?"
Because. I-I-Valentino, the girls
horse is dying"
The captain lurched in his saddle as
| though struck by a blow
Srill on they ped-fve-ten-ffteen min
utes, and they began to enter the hills.
The wounded horse was losing strength,
but still the noble animal plunged on;
then with an agonizing groan, it STUN
| bed and fell dead.
In moment Valentino had the girl on
his own horse
Courage, senOrita," he murmured, soft
ly.
Pi-n-gg!
That fatal bullet shot close to the cap
tain's head and was instantly followed by
a heavy fail.
'Comrade are you hurt?"
| No answer.
| Dead"
| That one solemn word was uttered with
! pathos that BODIED i'll for the perpetra-
| tors of the deed.
/ The carabine: os we co up tn fugi-
| tives now, and with last look at his be-
! loved comrade. Valentino struck his spurs
/ deep in the horses flank and sped east
ward.
Courage, senorita, courage" he whis-
! pered again. '"Fhere yet remains one final
II