Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-10-03
SATURDAY. OCTOBER 8. 1905.


encouragement. you viii not"
you stil love me?" she half whis-
pered, excitedly. Her trembling hand
touched his arm and her sparkling
eyes came close to his.
Marina" he cried. desperately, my
life is yours, love you better than
all the world--better than heaveni"
MY captain. my-yes. yes. my love
Is for you!" she said. rapidly. her
voice choking. "Senor Chambers must
not die" Capt. Pilaro trembled as her
meaning became plain TO him.
He shall not die. my adored ANGEL"
he cried, dropping 10 a knee and TAX
Ing her hand into his. "Senor Cham
bers. as you wish. shall live!"
In her misery she tried to look away
from him. but he drew her close to
him and pressed a kiss to her lips.
Toward ten o'clock the following
morning Gen. Bostos and his stan ar
rived at the camp. and the old war
rior's fatigue had nettled his humor.
Within the fortnight the forces OF the
government had suffered three de-
feats at the hands OF the desperate
revolutionists. and the results of the
conflicts clouded Gen. Bostos' heart
with keenest despair and apDrehen-
sion. What humanity was left in him
was almost snufIed out. and he had
determined that no quarter. no mercy.
should be shown 10 the rebels" that
fell into his hands.
Marina had intended 10 plead with
the general for Jerrys life. but she
knew II would be useless in view OF
his gloom and desperation. Capt
Pilaro recited 90 Gen. Bostos the story
OF Jerry's capture. and the grizzled old
warrior became fiery red I'm the face as
he listened.
The dog" he said. I'm a curse so bit.
ter that even the captain quaiied. Let
his trial be speedy. let his punishment
be quick"
At two o'clock that afternoon Capt
Pilaro and two guards carried jerry
Chambers TO Gen. Bostos' headquar-
tiers on a stretcher. Bostos sat as
sole judge. and IL was evident that his
mind already was made up as TO the
young mans fate. He had heard the
full story OF the capture. and he dis.
played but little interest in the for
malities OF the trial"
Jerry was permitted 10 testify In his
own behalf. and he spoke only the
truth. He had expected Marina TO in
tercede FOR him. and when she re-
NAMED In the background. her head
cast down so that her eyes could not
meet his. his heart became chilled
The punishment shall III the crime"
said the general stcrnly. Let the
prisoner be shot ~ sunrise tomorrow
He shall have one night in which TO
make peace with his God. Capt Pilaro.
place the prisoner into your hands.
70 be delivered 90 the colonel com
handing here at sunrise tomorrow.
Take him back 10 his cell"
Within half an hour Jerry Chambers
was in the cell OF the doomed. Pnaro
stationed a death-watch at his grated
door Marina did not accompany the
prisoner from the trial. and to Jerry's
surprise and infinitely increased de-
spair, she did not appear az any time
that afternoon. Al last. after the fan
OF dusk. Capt. Pilaro came to the cell.
for the first time since he had es-
tablished the death.watch. His face
was white and he could not conceal
the excitement that was raging within
him.
Where is she-Senorita Bostos %
Jerry asked.
"Senorita Bostos bids me say that
she will see you soon" said the officer
In low tone. She prays that you
bear up-bear up short time longer %
"Ah. what a woman" Jerry sighed
almost forgetting the sentence OF
death that hung over him. she is an
angel on earth. Capt. Pilaro-one OF
the noblest women that ever lived
Even TO me she has made the little life
left worth the living. | have a request
TO make, and I feel sure that you will
grant IL. Send TO Wallace Cham
bers-" Here his voice broke and ne
could go no further. Capt. Pilaro's
heart beat in great pity for him, and
he longed TO tell him why Marina had
not been TO his cell since the trial
He seemed TO smile when he agreed &c
grant the request and Jerry almost
qu2iled at the apparently heartless un
concern. Capt. Pilaro. after a few
minutes, approached the guard and
said:
You may be relieved at nine o'clock
/ shall remain with the prisoner until
sunrise"
IL was not long before Pilaro was
outside the cell. Jerry. watching the
shades OF night fall--like the droopine
of an ominous pail OF death, lay fat
on his back on the cot for half an
hour. at the expiration Of which time
TO his utmost surprise afterwards. he
was asleep. His senses were not
aroused until the soft words OF Marina
Bostos fell upon his ears.
Before she awole him she placed a
bulky package under the cot. Almost
while she was speaking the first words
she was preparing to redress the
wound. She was long and thorough
In her work. and Jerry wondered why
such extraordinary care should be
shown to him at such a time.
You have done too much for me al
ready said he. The wound is not
paining me. and feel that | could
stand on the leg xvffhcnf ,,ovoh 80