The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-04-18
NIPPED IN
THE BUD
The Story Of a Mexican Reyolu, on
BY JOHN GALLAGHER. u.
Copyright by American Press Asso-
ciatlon. 1911

mOueu MIN 10 tue pTeSlupIl lfnl
Cardoza obeyed the order impediaiply
Captain" said his exceipncy. la,
ing satisfied himself that there WAS M
one about to hear him, 81 have re-
ceived information OF y plot to carry
these troops over 10 General Jose Fur
tado. depose me and make him pres
dent in my stead. | have another
force. loyal to me. thirty miles from
here. which IL present would turn the
scales in my favor. have ordered
these troops to march at once. hut 1t
will be impossible for them to get here
before tomorrow night. am desirous
not only of delay. but of concealing
my knowledge of the plot from my
enemies. You know ! can trust to
aid me, and | have an especial matter
for you to attend to-"
Cardoza stood without reply. He
was bound in honor to the president.
but one thing stood In his wayne
loved the daughter of the man who
was plotting 10 control Mexico.
Are you heart and soul for me?"
asked the president, eying the captain.
II am"
Every we'll Just before daybreak n
signal WIFI he given for the troops en-
camped here for certain brigades hos
tile to me to rise. A force will he sent
to my tent to dispatch me. while 9th
ers proclaim Furtado president. | wish
| you to prevent, he signal being given
| A cannon is to be Ieft loaded without
the guard line of the Third brigade
with primer in the vent. Some one
at the first gray light of dawn will pull
the lanyard. ] wish you to prevent
that signal gus being fred. Conceal
yourself near by and dispatch silently
whoever attempts IT.
"Your exceiency's order shall he
obeyed." II
Captain Cardo2a that night emerged
from his tent, passed beyond the
guards and, making detour, came
upon the rear OF the Third brigade.
There on small natural mound a
cannon mingled with the gloom. Car
doza lay down in some bushes beside
the piece and waited. II was with
difficulty that he could keep awake.
| Indeed. shortly after midnight he fell
asleep. but he slept lightly, so that a
slight stirring Of bushes on the other
side OF the gun awakened him and he
started up.
The moon had risen and shone on
the cannon and a figure standing by
| II. No man stood there. but woman
and. though the moon was waning. II
gave enough light TO enable Cardoza
to see her face distinctly. He recog'
nized Marina ,Furtado. the daughter
OF the man who was consplring to be
president.
Marina" he gasped.
She started.
"Fernand. Is that you"
"You are not going to fire that gunf'
II am
Zone moment. | wish to speak with
YOU"
He sprang toward her, and she seized
the lanyard. He stood holding knife
above her head.
FOR heavens sake. don't pull that
cord. AT the slightest movement
shall bring the knife down upon you
"You. Fernand. You would kill the
girl you love and who loves you!"
"honor compels me. am pledged
to prevent you"
"And my pledge TO my father obliges
me. He would trust no other"
Fire at your peril"
She looked into his face and saw by
the light of the moon that his resolu
ton was taken.
Il thought you loved meY' she said
IL do. but love my honor more"
The two stood gazing at one anoth
er. Slowly the arm that held the Ian
yard sank. and the cord dropped
from her hand. Then her lover took
her in his arms. and she tainted or
his breast.
When she recovered they formed o
plan. He was to return to the presi
dent and report that no man had at
tempted to fire the signal gun. She
was to return TO her father and tel
him what had occurred.
At 6 O'clock In the morning Captain
Cardo2a entered the presidents tent
, Tie found the head of the republic
pale and anxious. He had not slep
during the night
"Well?" asked his excellency,
"You are, of course, aware that tn,
gnh WAS not fred. Perhaps the in
formation you received was false
perhaps was intended to injure Gen
eral Furtado"
81 cannot think So"
! At this moment General Furtad,
rode up TO the presidents tent, dis
mounted and entered,
II have understood. your excellen
cy." he said. that ! am accused o
conspiracy against the government"
II have been Informed to that ef
! feet"
II Will not deny that there Is dis
satisfaction as to some of your recen
acts. II you will satisfy your peopl
In this respect can control the arm.
In your favor and will do So"
estate them +"