The Tomahawk., 1903-04-30

straint of manner, a nervous tension
in her voice.
''You know I would be with you
always" he answered. "Arlene tell
me again you will go back with me
to my country when the regiment
returns He drew her closer to
him.
81 promised you and II
''What's that?" he cried, turning
suddenly. 81 heard footstep be-
hind me.''
He caught up his rifle and peered
out into the darkness in the direc-
tion from which the sound had ccme.
The girl seized his arm.
"Don't, don't, it's nothing, nothing"
she cried. 81 heard nothing" They
listened moment. all was still.
81 must return to my sentry duty,
little one," he said, 81 could swear
I heard some one, and yet I must be
wrong"
eyes, yes. yes, you are wrong, she
cried. "There is no one. Don't GO
yet Don't go if you love me. Please
don't co.
"But must, my sweetheart. You
would not have me false to my duty,
would you?"
''What does it matter whether you
are there or here? Stay here with
me-" she pleaded.
The singularity of her manner and
words at last impressed itself upon
him.
"You are not like yourself to-
night" he said, watching her closely.
II don't understand you tonight
In an instant her manner changed.
She drew his head down to hers,
kissed him and clung to his neck.
"My love. my soldier, my Ameri-
cano,' she whispered. 1T is because
I love you so. I fear that soon when
! your regiment goes across the seas
to your America you will forget your
promise to take me with you and will
go back to love some woman of your
own race. Tell me will you?''
"Never while T live will IT,
The moon. which for an instant
had been hidden behind cloud, shone
forth suddenly and lit the forest with
bright light. In that light the
sentry saw two men scurrying
through the trees toward the Amcri-
can camp.
"Halt,'' he cried, bringing his rife
to his shoulder.
'"Touch that trigger and you die"
cried some one behind him.
The sentry wheeled like a fash. A
couple of yards from him stood an
officer in the uniform of the Filipino
army The rsvolvers he held in each
hand were leveled at the trickcd
soldier.
MAKE one move and you die" tho
officer said in half whisper.
The whole of the fearful situation
flashed through the sentry's brain.
He saw the result of his neglect OF
duty. While he had been idling with
love affair an attacking party was
crossing the lines ana preparing to
surround the unprotected camp,
where his comrades lay sleeping.
Death would be their portion If
that skulking band took them by
surprise.
One shot from the rifle upon whose
trigger his finger rested would arouse
the camp. There was yet time to-
save the sleeping men-but.
The sentry looked into the eyes OF
the Filipino officer. He saw despcr-
ate determination there. The penalty
for firing that shot was death. swift
and certain.
"Drop that rifle, quick" came from
the Filipino officer.
| With a cry of defiance the sentry
leaped at the man. firing his rifle as
he sprang. simultaneously two re-
volver shots rang out through tho
forest.
"Come. carissimo, quick, quick, wo
must fly or that whole pack of Amcri"
can hounds will be on u.s. cried this
Filipino officer, catching the girl by
the hand and hurrying back into the
blackness of the forest.
Fifteen minutes later they rested
! for moment in the shelter of a hU!
surrounded on all sides by n SEEM,
ingly impenetrable forest.
'sDid you ever see such nerve, such
! bravery. Carramba! He fired that
cursed warning though he knew I'd
kill him. said the Spaniard in the
Filipino uniform. Cali our plans
have crumbled and that man did it,,
curse him. You played your part
well, though. Those kisses and
words of love I heard from behind
the tree were so real they drove ME
wild I am glad the dog is dead
You played your part like true
patriot"
81 would do anything for you Car
los" she said, raising her eyes to his
with look that the American soldier
had never seen.
:. = = =: :: ): y
"It's him. said Flanagan. the cor
pora1, a half an hour later, as he