Rocky Ford enterprise., 1901-10-11

A footstep was heard. the door
opened, and Gomez came in.
Things go our way" he said. smil-
ing. Venezuela is ours"
part of IL" replied Philip. not
smiling.
..i'All of II. The soldiers of Saliva
rez are nearly all killed. Salvarez
himscf is a prisoner. There Is now
no reason to delay pushing on to the
north and planting our standard be-
yond the Orinoco. Our friends are
waiting for us there. Caracas must
fall at last
AT last. But there is something to
be done here before We cross the Or
inoco. What is the sentiment of the
people near us. now that Salvarez is
crushed?"
Judging from the reports We are
receiving. the entire country south OF
the orinoco is loyal to you.''
Then ! must delay my coronation
no longer"
Il would not delay 1t another day."
There was pause. a strained sill
ence.
Gomez" said Philip. bending
keen gaze on the General. II want the
truth about that mysterious affair OF
Lola CARA"
II thought II was mysterious no
longer. The girl is found. What is her
story?"
II have not yet heard. Cara Is
with her now. will send for him at
once"
Cara was sent for. but before he
arrived Francisco came In. He was
there when Don Juan entered.
You sent for mc7' said Don Juan.
II did" said Philip. You were
with your daughter. How is shc?"
Alas. she is not well. The cave in
which she was confined by that half
breed scoundrc! was damp. and as she
was bound hand and foot. she became
thoroughly chilled. The result Is now
that she has n bad fever. which alter
mates with severe chills.''
THAT Is bad. Have you heard from
her own lips the story Of her abduc-
tIon7"
Yes. All. what Ecoundrcl tha;
Mattaxudo Is. Yes, he went to her.
telling her that Il was my wish for
her to accompany him to plnc. OF
greater safety until after the battle.
She believed him. and followed him 10
a cave up the river about a mile.
where he bound her. and. needless OF
her cries for mercy. left her. telling
her to be quiet until no came for her.
She was found there by the two Amer
leans. who. II appears. have followed
us here for no other purpose than to
rescue my daughter from myself That
is u strange case. As II had not my
daughters welfare Mt heart. But they
are prisoners. and my poor girl 10
safe: so what ma;tcrT"
1T matters to me-" said Philip. "As
for the Americans. they have done
no harm: but l viii! not have the
Scoundrci Ma;;axurdo around me. Go
meg. I shall be crowned king a; ten
o'clock to-day
Good, Your triumph will then bc
complete
AT 1880 I shall order Mattazudo's
execution
ITO be shot7''
ITO be shot.
Your majesty" saspcd Francisco
The safety Of your crown de-
pends--"
"say no more. when Lola Cara
shall have recovered sufficiently. she
will become my wife. and Queen OF
Venezuela. The safety of the Queen
must be assured. In no other way
can this be done than by shooting the
rascal who carried her away once. and
who. no doubt. would try TO do so
again"
Quite right" said Gomez. with n
sioam Of hate in his eyes.
II may perhaps be necessary TO in
terject short explanation here to
show the reason Gomez was pleased at
tho prospect of Mattazudo's death.
Yc, It seems almos, unnecessary. for
the reader must already have seen
the duplicity toward Gomez with
| which Mattaxudo acted.
Don Juan. having answered all the
questions Philip chose to ask. turned
to go.
ITO be continucd.)
|