The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-31

did not explain how.
While he and Dom Miguel discussed
the fortunes of the Revolution made
bold to ask Captain Mazanovitch how
he came to be in this isolated spot.
st was warned by the minister of
police to leave Rio" answered the de-
tective; "for it appears my-Tny friend
ValcOur would have been suspicious
had not Paola promised to arrest me
with the others. [ have been here
since yesterday.
your friend Valcour is a most per-
sistent foe to the Cause" said I,
thoughtfully. It would have pleased
YOU to watch him struggle with Paola
for the mastery. while the emperor
was by. All. how Paola and Valcour
hate each otheri"
Mazanovitch turned his passionless
face toward me, and 1t seemed as
though a faint smile fickered for an
instant around his mouth. But he
made no answer.
After breakfast Pedro was sent back
to Cuyaba for news, being instructed
to await there the repairing of the
telegraph wires. and to communicate
with US as soon as he had word from
Rio.
The man had no sooner disappeared
in the forest than, as we stood in the
roadway looking after him, a far-off
patter of horses feet was distinctly
heard approaching from the north.
Silently we stood, gazing toward the
curve in the road while the hoOf-
beats grew louder and louder, till sud
denly two horses swept around the
edge of the forest and bore down
upon us.
Then to the surprise of all we recog-
nized the riders to be Francisco PaOla
and his sister Lesba, and they rode
the same horses which the evening
before had been attached to the car
riage that had brought me from de
Pintra's.
As they dashed up both brother and
sister sprang from the painting ami
mails, and the former said, hurriedly:
Quick. comrades! Into the house
and barricade the doors. The Uru-
guayans are upon us!'
True enough; now that their own
horses had come to a halt we plainly
pursuers- With single impulse we
ran to the house and entered, when
my first task was to assist Bastro in
placing the shutters over the windows
and securing them with stout bars
The doors were likewise fastened
and barred. and then Mazanovitch
brought US an armful of rifles and an
ample supply of ammunition.
do you think it wise to resist %
asked de Pintra. filling with cartridges
the magazine of a rife.
blow upon the door prevented an
"Open. in the name of the en-
peror!" cried an imperiOus voice.
THAT is my gallant friend Captain
de Souza," said Lesba, with a little
laugh
looked at the strange girl cur
iously. She had seated herself upon
large chest. and with her hands
clasped about one knee was watching
US load our weapons with as much
calmness as if no crisis of our fate was
impending him.
BE kind to him. Lesba,' remarked
Paola, tucking a revolver underneath
his arm while he rolled and lighted
cigarette. Think of his grief at being
separated from you"
She laughed again, with real enjoy
men, and shook the tangled locks of
hair from her eyes.
perhaps if I accept his attentions
he will marry me, and shall escape, -
she rejoined, lightly.
'Open, [ command youl" came the
voice from without.
tReally," said Lesba, looking upon
US brightly, cit was too funny for any
thing. Twice this morning the brave
captain nearly succeeded in capturing
me. He might have shot me with ease,
but he called out that he could not
bear to injure the woman he lOYedi"
Does he indeed love you. Lesba %
asked de Pintra, gently.
80 he says uncle. But it must
have been a sudden inspiration. for I
never saw him until yesterday"
Nevertheless, I am glad to learn of
this resumed Dom Miguel; for there
IS no uASS u1H4tAE the ActCA THAT tt4Cf Jul
number US and are better armed, and
/ it is good to know that whatever hap
pens to US. you will be protected.
Whatever happens to you viii hap
nen to me- declared the girl. spring
1 ing to her feet ''Give me a gun
Uncle!"
Now came another summons from
| de Souza.
sListenlv he called; ethe house is
surrounded and you cannot escape US