The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-11-14

Chapter XIII.

ecution Of Salvarez postponed until
mfdnight-is beyond my comprehen-
sion. Is there any game in it?"
1t was Gomez who spoke. He and
Francisco were in the Council Room.
Philip was away in another part of the
castle with Don Juan.
"Game?" replied Francisco. "What
game could there be? What do you
mean, Gomez? Explain your insinua-
tions!"
1T is strange that a true lover of
the king and a hater Of the Republic
should seek to delay the execution Of
one of Crespo's most dangerous gen
erals. Rather, to my mind, should he
hasten the death of the entire horde"
Francisco smiled.
General Gomez" he said, there
are other hearts than yours. You are
not the only friend the king has in
Venezuela. Have l not led my SOL
diers?"
Your soldiers? Oh, yes, your SOL
diers. OF course, my dear Pedro, your
valor is beyond dispute. But in this
SsS VA dAVdlOA"LA uSldy VI Ills OK.
ecution as demanded by you and yield
ed by Phillips, to say the least, in
explicable. There must be a motive
in it."
yes" replied Francisco, after a
pause. there is a motive in 1t. There
Is q reason why I have asked to have
the execution Of Salvarez postponed.
ehnun nvr1oip1l &LS- ~ IL.
king. It satisfied him. 1t must satisfy
you"
Gomez laughed.
Which is your way of informing
me that it is none of my business" he
said.
mot SO. You are general Of the
army. You"
"Oh, we'll, let it drop. II Philip is
satisfied, l am sure l ought to be.
There are matters to be thought Of that
are moro important than this rebel
general. It is time we moved toward
the Orinoco."
Il thought 1t had been decided that
our safest plan was to wait here for
Crespo's army to attack us. He will,
undoubtedly, send only small detach-
ments at a time. We can destroy them
Vas they come"
.aSSSssNonsense." said Gomez, Struggling
M,shoulders. Are we to sit here in
1vSfe while Crespo fires the enthusi-
d tl1pf the mobs north Of the Orinoco?
~ would Godoy, Hernandez and the
ps say to that? Remember, we
Mthousands of supporters there
1harHyre ready to join us as soon as
ReN Asgin our triumphant march to-
ward Caracas. If we remain here, they
Will think we are afraid, and will de-
sert the Crespo. I understand our peo-
pie we'll enough to know that their
loyalty to our cause can be depended
upon only as long as we show them
We are succeeding. Our best move is
to cross the Orinoco as soon as pos
sible, picking up reinforcements on the
way. We shall have easily twice as
many followers as Crespo by the time
We meet him."
B u will the king leave the castle
Is long as Garza's daughter is il1?"
HE must. Is the cause to be lost
-Chr0NgR his 1nfatuat1On?"
When Francisco had gone. Gomez
sent for a certain captain upon whom
he felt that he could rely.
General, you sent for me-" said the
captain, as he entered.
Eyes. ! sent for you, became / trust
You more than I do any other officer
of the king, and l have something for
you to do"
THANK you, general. l will en-
deavor to deserve your high regard"
Captain. what do you think of
Francisco?"
francisco? What do I think of
him? That Is . strange question, gen.
eral."
II. know it is but. strange circum-
stances cause it You were probably
surprised when you learned that the
execution Of Salvarez was postponed
till midnight"
eyes, / was surprised at that"
"You would no doubt be more sur
prised If you knew that this was done
at the solicitation Of Francisco him
self"
francisco! He was to give the
command to fire."
"Just SO. Now. captain. you have
lived. near enough to Francisco to
know something about him. What
have been the relations existing be-
tween Francisco and the family Of SAL
varez? Is there, anything there?"
"Oh, Francisco has long wanted to
marry the daughter Of Salvarez. Ev-
erybody knew that"
DO you think his love for the girl is
sincere!"
Sincere? 1t is strong enough"
you don't like the word sincere "
1T hardly applies to ordinary cases
of love on the Orinoco. l think Fran
cisco wants her for his W happiness.
1 don't think he considers hers"
ssCti11 his nasSinn for her Ia such