The Ladysmith news and Ingram news. [volume] (Ladysmith, Wis.) 1905-1906, 1906-03-24
The FilibuSterS of Venezuela. !:
Or the Trials OF Spanish Girl.
BY SEWARD W. HOPKINS
Copyrighted 1900 Robert Bonners Sons

Gomez, IF you will do what I ask"
You know me too well to doubt, -
said Mattazudo, You have only to
command"
There is something in the situation
mez, "and which does not concern you
personally; but 1t does me. You have
seen GarZa's daughter?"
Mattazudos eyes opened
The beauty Oh, yes, have seen
her! What eyes! What an ankle!"
Gomez looked displeased
Her eyes and ankles do not concern
you," he said. Now, listen to what I
have to say. BY the power that Cara
had in New York, he obtained great
| influence over the king. Cara was the
only man in the United States who
ed to make our movement a success.
1t is, therefore, plain that for time
he held us in his hands,
ct would seem so, certainly" said
Mattazudo, with grin.
| ''He used this power to compel the
king to promise to marry his daughter
when the crown of Venezuela had been
placed on his head"
Mattazudo pulled harder.
well" he said, sit isn't on yet.
| Caracas is far from here. Why do you
| grow disturbed so soon?'
Caracas is far from here, it is true;
but Caracas is not necessary to a
h0c oil
that in one hour he will be crowned
| king before his army"
Mattazudo looked surprised.
"a spectacle for the multitude! He
is wise,' he said
True. It is a good move for his in
terests, but a bad one for mine"
"Ah! You want the coronation post
pOned-prevented, perhaps. You would
like to be king of Venezuela yourself,
perhaps?"
Nonsense" said Gomez, impatient
ly. Even if wished it, am not such
fool to try It will be difficult thing
at best to maintain the throne on this
continent, and would be utterly impos-
sible without the help Of Spain, and
Spain will help no one but Spaniard
of noble birth. What I want is far diff
ferent. The coronation is a good thing
in its way. Let it go on. But the mar
riage Of Lola Cara to the king must
be prevented. saw her and loved her
before Philip, and she must be mine.
Rather than lose her, I would sacrifice
the king-the war-everything"
Mattazudo shifted uneasily.
You say too much" he said.
81 speak only to YOU" said Gomez.
You see how 7 trust YOU"
What do you want me to do?" ask
ed the half-breed.
Some time within the hour, Salvar~
ez will attack the castle. There will,
of course, be much excitement, and
good deal-anything-can be done in
the turmoil | will contriye to get Phil
ip and Don Juan out on the battle
ment. and while they are there, you
must in some way get to Lola's room
and get ner away out of the castle"
''Well?"
Take her to some safe hiding place
near here, and leave her, bound hand
and foot. You know of a safe place,
do you not?"
Plenty. But why do you tell me to
do what you could do as well?"
You forget. AS general in command
of Philips army, I must be always at
hand if he should demand my presence.
A short absence would be surely no.
ticed. Tt would be impossible for me
to take TIE time necessary to get her
out of the castle. You must do it.
You must be careful not to be discoy-
cred. You must also be careful not to
fall into the hands of the soldiers OF
Salvarez."
You may trust me. I am too old
to be caught in so simple a thing as
this But where is the girls room?
How am to find herr"
Gomez took a pencil and paper from
his pocket and hastily drew rude
plan Of the interior Of the castle
Here" he said, follow me. This
room on the main hall was the library
of Salvarez. It is now the council room
of Philip. At one end of the hall is the
east gallery. There, you will find door
as have located it here. You will find
Lola there
Il can find it," said Mattazudo.
Very well. Now, where will you
take herr"
Mattazudo studied a moment.
Zone mile up the Coroni," he said.
'in hut, lives old Ramana-"
'Ramana the Carib! He who claims
to be the Indian king?"
1.-THE same"
why, he is devoted friend of Sal
Varez''
well, what has this to do with his
friendship for Salvarez? He is at least
an honest Indian, and that is some
thing. Moreover, 1t will not be diff
cult to make his loyalty to Salvare2
serve our purpose. Ramana does not
know I am with you. I take the girl
to him, and tell him I have captured
her from Philip during the fight, and
he is to keep her until Salvarez or Il
come for her. Later I can get her and
bring her to yOu'