The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-07


bonds, and Paola, who was the first
to be approached by Jalfo, took a slip
OF paper from the hat and thrust it
into his pocket without examination.
Sanchez Bastro drew next, and
smiled as he read his number. Then
came my turn, and I own that I could
not represS a slight trembling of my
fingers as ] drew forth the fatal slip.
1t was number four.
Good" murmUred de Pintra, read
ing the slip over Tny. shoulder. Il shall
not be alive to witness your death,
Robert" And then he took the last
paper from the hat and added: Il
am number two
Il am first" said Bastro, with cheer
fitness. 1T is an honor, Dom Miguel, -
and he bowed respectfully to the chief.
Paola wore again the old, inane
smile that always lent his face an in
describable 1eer of idiocy. I knew, by
this time, that the expression was in
deed a mask to cover his real feelings,
and idly wondered if he would choose
to die with that detesta bic shipper upon
his lips.
Come, gentlemen; we are already -
It was the captain who spoke, and
we rose obediently and filed Through
the doorway. closely guarded by the
Uruguayans.
In the vacant space that served as a
yard for Bastro's house stood a SOLITARY
date-paIm with a straight, slender
Bastro was led to the tree and a rope
passed around his body securing him
( to the trunk. They offered to blind
fold him, but he waved the men aside.
1T Will please me best to look into
the nuzzles of your guns" said THE
patriot, in a quiet voice. Il am not
afraid, Senior Captain"
De *Souza glanced at the sun. 1t
was slowly sinking, ball of vivid red,
into the bosom of the far-away pla-
teau.
At gesture from the officer six of
! the guardsmen stepped forward and
leveled their carbines upon Bastro,
who stood upright against the tree,
with a proud smile upon his manly
face.
I turned away my head, feeling sick
and dizzy and the rattle of carbines
4 set me trembling with nervous horror.
Nor did ] look toward the tree again,
/ although. after an interval of silence,
/ I heard the tramp of soldiers bearing
Bastro's body to the deserted house.
Number two.'' cried de Souza,
harshly.
It was no time to turn craven. My
own death was but a question of mo-
ments, and I realized that I had little
time to bid farewell to my kind friend
and strive to cheer him upon his way.
I Going to his side I seized Dom Miguel
hand and pressed it to my lips but he
was not content with that, and caught
me in a warm and affectionate en-
I brace.
Thisn he was led to the tree. ]
turned my back covering my face with
my hands.
For the Causel'' I hhard his gen
tie voice say. The carbines rang out
again, and a convulsive sob burst
from my throat in spite of my strong
efforts to control my emotion.
Again listened to the solemn
tread of the soldiers, while from fal
away the sound OF a shout was borne
to US upon the still evening air
Somehow. that distant shout thrilled
me with a newborn hope, and
gazeds eagerly along the line of road
way that skirted the forest.
De Souza was gazing there. too, witt
a disturbed look upon his face; but tht
light was growing dim. and we coul,
see nothing.
Number threel"
It was Paola's turn. and he walked
unassisted to the tree and set his bacl
to it. while the soldiers passed tn
rope under his arms and then retired
But they left Valcour confronting tn
j prisoner. and I saw the shipper fad