, 1902-12-15
Attention, We have captured a

the revolutionists and is known to
have stolen certain valuable docu-
nents and to have delivered them to
the enemy. She Is now before you
and you are to fire the shots hat are
to end her life. You will notice that
she is yelled. This was necessary
that her great beauty might not pre-
vent any Of you from doing your
duty"
He then returned to the end Of the
line and drew his sword.
Ready, Aim!" he commanded.
Every rife was raised-save one.
Midway the line a soldier stood with
ashen face.
The colonel stepped behind him and,
pressing his sword to his back, com
manded: out Of the ranks, you spy;
you coward"
Weak as a child, the se~lf-convtcted
man staggered a few steps forward
and sank upon his knees.
Cod" he cried, desperately. The
senorita, the beautiful senorita! l
love her; l adore her! She say. II
you love me, you get me those papers.
That will prove it, she say. So l do
and l not see her again until now"
Fool" cried the colonel. Your
weakness has been your ruin. That is
not the %senorita you love. will show
you"
At the words a look Of extreme re-
lief illumined the soldiers face and
something much like a smile was upon
his lips as he watched the officer walk
slowly to where the woman stood
shrouded in her vestments of ebony.
The colonel placed his hands upon
her drapery, then pausing an instant
he glanced back at the soldier on his
knees.
Look" he cried. And as he spoke
he pulled the veil from her head and
shoulders, revealing the startled face
of the woman in yellow.
With a Wild cry the miserable man
threw himself upon the ground at her
feet.
at is her!" he cried. "Oh, my God,
1t Is herr"
He groveled in the dust, then raised
his lips and kissed the hem of her gar
ments, crying, II love you! l love
you! l betray my country for you; l
die for you'll"
AS one in a stupor the minister ad-
vanced to her side.
my God. Jennie!" he said, what
does this mean?"
THE fellow is right" she answered.
softly, turning her large, frightened
eyes upon the minister.
Tenderly she laid her soft hand in
his.
Forgive me, WILL" she said, her
voice trembling; forgive me for all
the sorrow and the pain-think of me.
not as the unfaithful wife, but as the
with you under the stars along the
beautiful SusQuehanna."
Then he was brushed aside by .
squad of soldiers, who seized their
comrade, still lying in the dust, and
placed him beside the woman, his
back against the wall. And the Presi-
dent spoke.
by the authority in me invested"
he said, Il command that this senior
oAO lAlo BDkC3
be shot to death. Do your duty,
colonel"
Again the officer gave the command:
Ready! Aim!" and again the rifles
were raised.
With the old, old love throbbing IN
his veins. the minister sprang in front
of the woman and held up his hand.
Hold" he commanded. This
woman is an American. She must not
be shot without a trial"
The President smiled.
"Senor Mason he said, you delay
the ends of justice.
Mason's face grew scarlet, but his
eyes snapped ominously.
Sir" he said, thirty million dollars
of Venezuelan war bonds are held in
the United States. The interest ON
these is long past due. So help me
God, sir, II this woman dies at your
hands, every one Of those bonds be.
come payable in two minutes after the
breath leaves her body. Now shoot,
SIR"
The President shrugged his shout
ders and laughed--uneasily.
Release the senorita," he said.
finally.
For a moment the woman in yellow
clasped the minister's hand and the
thrill Of love, not dead, but awakened
after a long slumber. went throbbing
through his veins. Then she turned
away and he saw her clasped in her
husbands arms. A volley rang out
upon the pulseless air and the soldier
who had n one to intercede fer him
fell forward upon bis face.