The Holly chieftain., 1905-09-29

.nS siShdi is gwen 10 start, the iron
hand of the Captain General would
close upon them in grasp that could
only be cat loose before a corporal's
guard at the dead-line What do you
think of the ideag"
Well, you understand ! must not
appear in the matter. My promise to
Jessie forbids."
board in midocean, would you feel
compelled to wait until she appealed
directly to you before leaping over
to her rescue? know you better than
that. Squire John. First her life, then
her reproaches if she pleases to be so
contrary. That life is in deadly dan
ger now. You expect to fly to her re-
l1ei. Already you are hampered by
enough promises. Then away with
the notion that you dare not come into
her presence unless she calls for you.
How is she otherwise to know you
are in Havana?"
Jack throws up his hands.
"Smithers, you have won. l recog-
nize the folly of carrying that thing
out to the letter. II the occasion de-
mands such an exposure on my part,
| am ready to submit. even though
she scorns me for breaking my word"
"Scorn you-my dear sir, evidently
you have not studied the feminine
mind as much as the methods of min
ing. or the necessities of stock
ranch. Besides, unless all signs fail,
| you may be In position to save her
from terrible fate, and the very op-
portunity you desire be granted"
II am convinced. Now tell me how
you would carry out such a scheme"
Smithers has evidently thought it
all out beforehand, as he unravels a
plan so well arranged that Jack can
hardly add anything to it.
Just previous to the time for the
train to go someone employed for that
purpose will draw the senior to the
end of the station platform on particu-
lar business-perhaps a few last YER
bal directions from the Captain Gen
eral of non.committal nature.
While he is away from the carriage
in which the ladies have taken up
their places, another messenger will
Rafael, bearing the information that
he has given up the trip, and that
they will accompany the other in the
victoria back to the hotel, where the
senor will rejoin them.
How simple-how effective,
If no hitch occurs to mar the little
game, Senor Rablado will make a mad
dash for his carriage as the signal to
start is given. and plunging in as the
train moves, discover it. to be empty.
He may rave, he may below like
mad bull, but that will not prevent
the special from leaving Havana and
plunging in among the hills back OF
the Cuban capital. He dare not leave
the train, since Spain expects him to
do his duty. and any detection on his
part may bring immediate ruin upon
his house.
Meanwhile, 1t will not be SO diff
cult feat for the driver Of the veh-
icle to explain matters to the two
girls, and endeavor to gain their con-
sent to his driving them-not to the
hotel. but to the house under whose
roof Senior Jack has found such an
hospitable welcome.
"The rest must leave to you, sir,
for expect you to be with me on the
box of the vehicle. If you have never
kissed the Blarney stone, l imagine
you may at least be able to offer some
specious plea as to why they should
accept this hospitality"
"And Lola will be there to greet
them adds Travers, mentally pictur-
ing the scene when these two come
together-the one SO fair and winsome
a lassie, bred in the bonnie air of the
Scottish highlands, the other dark and
beautiful, like tropical flower.
'Well-er-no, l hardly think Lola
will be at home. gave her a note
from head-from some parties who
desire her presence, and unless I am
mistaken she has gone from here be-
fore now. But that will not matter.
The whole house is at their disposal"
Il hope they will accept What
comes after we must leave to
chance" and Jack smiles at the pleas
ing prospect.
''At any rate. with the don out of
the game, there's no reason why YOU
shouldn't advance your cause, my
friend
HIN! Poor don. 1t is a terrible
fate. and hate to think of it; but I
presume these people have been rend-
cred quite desperate by what they be-
licve to be their wrongs At any rate,
don't pretend to judge just how