The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-13

years! I'm buying sensations
You've got one nowr' broke in Martin,
with a nod towards the town.
YES, and it's worth all I'm paying for
it," cried Blaine. with a sparkle in his eye.
Il came down here about a year ago, and
met Caceron. By and by we got friendly
like, and he told me about this revolution
idea of his. He said that the people ware
| getting tired of Maxine vidas. 1 didn't
care a snap about that, but / got real stuck
on the idea of bossing a South American
revolution. He told me that all he wanted
to make it success was a man with a little
money to back him."
And you were the mann" said Martin.
with a smile.
Yes; 1t occurred to ne as the thing I'd
been waiting for. So L took 1t up and pres
emily 1 went back to look for a man
to run the guns, and 1 lighted on you. You
seemed to be pretty low down on your
luck"
II was" replied Martin, with a short nod,
'telse 1 wouldn't have undertaken the job!'
Salter Blaine glanced keenly at his com
panion.
I'm not much of a hand at poking in
other peoples business he said, slowly,
"but 1 own I've felt a sort of curiosity
about you!"
| Martin laughed. "Oh, there's nothing
strange about me; I'm a very ordinary kind
of-failure!'
Blaine removed the cigar from his mouth.
81 was over in England two falls ago.
he said. land / saw men very much after
your stamp!'
What's that?' asked Martin, with an
awkward laugh.
Il saw 'em sometimes coming out of the
houses in Park Lane; then differing sol
diers; and in the evening, perhaps, sitting
in boxes at the opera, or lounging in the
smoking room of a Piccadilly club" Blaine
paused. I'm not far wrong, sonny, am L?
That's the breed, and something queered
you, eh?"
Martin was staring t%houghtfully into the
distance.
Eyes, something queered met he re-
peated in an absent tone. Then suddenly
he reused himself and pointed to the
yacht at sea.
When did she come in?' he asked.
Last evening-put in for supplies-and
she's going out again this morning. Guess
her owner will stop over the revolution,
thoughts a show he oughtn't to miss"
Martin had pulled out his glasses and
was watching the palace again. He turned
with a quick movement to Blaine.
when they've murdered Vidas," he said,
what will happen to his Nicer"
wal. young Pedro Caceron is madly in
love with her. You see, Vidas hated him,
and would never allow him near her."
Does she hate him?" asked Martin,
slowly.
Like poison! He's a young blackguard;
but with her uncle out of the way and no
one TO protect her. l don't see how she can
help marrying him. He sticks at nothing"
Martins face had grown stern. my
God!' he cried, Ito think that a girl such
as that should be forced into marrying
that young whelp!"
SaIter Blaine looked up curiously at his
friend.
you've seen her about a dozen times
when out riding, and once when she
dropped her handkerchief you picked 1t up
and returned it to herr"
"And she thanked mel" cried Martin,
with a CLEAN in his eye.
'In love with herr" queried Blaine,
briefly.
Martin swung round and clapped him on
the shoulder.
''WeI, if there is such a thing as love at
first sight,, Blaine, this is a case. Heavensi
it's awful to think that in a few minutes
she'll be in the hands of a r%uffianly crew
who have perhaps just murdered her
uncle!"
"Caceron has promised her to young
Pedro as a sort of share of the spoil!' said
Blaine, looking at him thoughtfully.
Curse him. he cried, fiercely-
Suddenly Blaine's face lighted up with
- ;Jao IL to,,obaI Martin nm tho arm
i've thought it all out for you!' he
cried, excitedly. Come down now and
join in the scrimmage."
What do you mean?' cried Martin.
quickly.
''Thereu be shootin' round the palace"
went on Blaine with glistening eyes. You
have a revolver"
Martin nodded; his hand went sliding
back towards a back pocket. .
Young Pedro. the BLACKBOARD, will be in
the thick of it, Blaine paused and glanced
at Martin. HE might be shot by accident"
Martins hand went back again.
Thanks; murder isn't quite in my line"
Blu he deserves it! And. once out of the
way, who knows what might happen be-
tween you and the girl? 1 admit the idea
is a trife sensational"
"A trife too much so for mei' said Mar
tin, dryly.
Salter Blaine unlocked the rein of his
horse from the branch.
wal, I'm real sorry!' he said, with a
sigh of regret. He glanced at his watch
again. christopher! I'll have to scurry
If In TO get there by the time the fun COM
mences. You won't come?' he said, as he
jumped into his saddle.
Martin shook his head. mo; I'll see the
thing out from here"
Goodbye, theni See you after we've
raised the new President" And he rode off
quickly down the hill.
Martin rolled another cigarette and light
ed it, then he stood up and surveyed the
scene once more. 1t was still calm and
peaceful. The inhabitants of San Peguro
were not yet stirring. He smoked through
the cigarette and lighted another. As he
threw the match away a single rifle shot
rang out in the still morning air. 1t
seemed to be fired from the back of the
town..
Instantly there was a change in the
scene. Martin pulled out his glasses hast