Mower County transcript., 1908-10-07
CHAPTER XIV.
The Silent SentineIs,


The Silent SentineIs.
The brilliant Cross of Honor re.
NAMED on Jerrys breast more than
an hour before he thought of taking
1t of and making himself less con-
spicuous before the eyes of the hun
dred or more passengers. It was a
matter Of only short time before his
identity became known to every one
on board, and, although he sought to
keep himself in the background, he
was unable to escape the admiring
glances that were shot at him from
all angles, and often he felt uncom-
Portable under the whispered CONVEX
sation Of which he knew himself to be
the sole subject. He remained below
as much out Of the view of the others
as possible until after dusk.
Jerry regretted leaving the scene
Of his greatest triumph, but he was
exuberantly glad that he had sue
ceeded in catching the Pranzos and
cerrespondingly disgusted that he had
not arranged to have the boat held
an hour or two After the last Of the
capital had been hidden from view he
stretched out on a chair and fell to
picturing the possibilities OF the fu-
ture. Allowing the Pranzos until June
10 to reach Havana, he would have
about nine days In which to cover the
distance between that city and Vera
Cruz and the City Of Mexico. There
were sailings twice q week between
the Cuban metropolis and Vera Cruz,
and he felt that II he could not leave
Havana until the 18th or 18th he still
would have time to reach - Gale
Coliseo according to contract" Sat-
isfied that he would have no trouble
in appearing in time for his further
instructions. he let his mind wander
back to New York, and for the first
time since he boarded Capt. Bulger's
dlibustering boat the feeling Of home
sickness seized him.
What would he not have given this
very moment If he could step into the
presence of his parents in the full
dress Of captain Of the Uranian Con-
federacy and with the greatest honor
that grateful people could confer
upon him?
Many men prominent in the COM
mercial affairs of Urania were on the
Pranzos, among them being Senior
Gallo Lopez, the foremost exporting
and importing merchant of South
America, and q man Of almost fabslous
wealth. With Senor Lopez was his
only daughter-Senorita Mercedes, a
belle of Pandaro and of Madrid, and
recognized as one OF the most beauti-
full young women of all Urania. Jerry
had heard of Senor Lopez as a
staunch supporter OF the Cardovas gov
ernment:. -
On the morning Of the next day
senor Lopez introduced himself to
Jerry, insturn presenting his daughter.
capt. Chambers" said the great
merchant, almost every one on: this
vessel is a Uranian and a loyal sup
porter Of the new government at Pan
daro, though many Of us sympathized
with and gave aid to President Cardo-
vas during the long and bitter strug-
gle. There are no lines now: we all
are uranians, loyal and true, and there
is not person on board who does not
feel indebted to you for what you have
done, chiefly for saving the life OF the
best loved man in our country from q
murderer's knife. We all admire you.
and as admirers, We desire to honor
you In some manner. I have been dele
gated by the other passengers to in
vite you to sit at supper tomorrow
night as the guest Of honor. Neces-
sarily the expression of our admira-
ton Tor you must be mild, but we are
sure that you will feel the spirit of
the occasion to be earnest and full
born" .
Really. Senor Lopez" blushed Jer.
~, Il thi.k I already have recsived
vastly more honor than :s nu.: me.
However. ! am in the har.1s 4,I my
friends, to be done with as they deem
fit. But, candidly, I don't think de-
serve any such consideration"
1.-The idea was born in the mind Of
my daughter" said the merchant, "and
there Is a saying that woman never
thinks amiss.''.
s"Are all North Americans as modest
as you, Capt. Chambers?" asked Seno-
rita Mercedes. A faint smile came to
his lips and he moved rather nervously
before the steady gaze from her big
black eyes. .s5 ..;l u =, 1. u III. .s. Il
- Many Of US do not have time to be
modest. @. s.. s.l "a s...
. Y. With an expression bordering al
most on gratitude, Senior Lopez de-
parted to frame up preliminary arrange
ments for the supper OF honor. 5.s.I.# 5.}3
Senorita Mercedes became intensely
Interested in Jerry, who, reluctantly
complying lEl with her urgent request, re-
lated part Of the story Of his thrilling
experiences in Urania. After he had