Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-30

At home, in Montana, he was the Hon. John Hope, because he had been a member of the legislature In Den yer and Chicago they called him Col onel Hope because he had big herd of cattle In New York what few knew him called him Jack, because he was good fellow. He was 26 years old and a bachelor
 Jack Hope had turned a great many cattle into greenbacks and wanted a change of scenery He exchanged the high mountains of Montana for the flat surface of the Atlantic ocean. He chartered the yacht Wanderer and voyaged to South America. It was while returning that he was stam peded One morning. as the yacht was approaching the Thousand Is- lands, on her way to make the har- bOr of Key West, two boats, filled with what were supposed to be shipwrecked mariners, were found in her path and making signals of distress. As they came alongside it was seen that there was girl among them, and the gallant Mir. Hope stepped forward to raise his hat and do the honors.
 The girl was Miss Nina Belotti Cu- ban born, educated in the states and her father in business in New York and a member of the Cuban junta. She had set sail on a fast schooner to de- liver a cargo of arms to the patriots, but sudden sQualI had driven the f craft ashore on one of the outer is lands. Unless the yacht could be in- duced to transfer the cargo to her hold and deliver it on the Cuban coast the patriots must lose all they had fought for
 Miss Belotti related this at a sort of council in the cabin and there were tears in her eyes as she related Col onel Hope had never seen a good looking girl shed tears. His feelings were touched at once. He had not paid much attention to the Cuban struggle but now he was immediately interested, and was about to offer his herd of 30,000 steers to the cause, when the mate of the Wanderer en- tered the cabin to announce that the rescued men had overpoWered the crew and taken possession.
 We had to do it, you seel" explain ed the girl. T feared you would not comply with my request"
 "Of course we won't!' shouted the captain, as he sprang to his feet. We'll fight for it, Colonel Hope. If we are caught by the Spaniards with muni- tions for the rebels every one of us will be shot,
 Softly, captain" replied Hon. Hope. Tn the first place. they've already cap tured us. In the next 1 have decided to make the Cuban cause my own. In the third, here is a young lady ap- pealing to us with tears in her eyes. The native chivalry of old Montana can't go back on all these things
 But, man
 4Ta ta. Miss BeIotti. I am yours truly and so is the yacht Let your crew go ahead"
 The Wanderer was headed for the stranded schooner and was soon alongside of her and the cargo being transferred. The captain and mates sulked, but Colonel Hope was happy During most of the time he walked the decks with Miss Belotti on his arm When they were not walking they were lOunging, and within three hours the girl had learned most all there was to know about Montana and the cat tie business. At sundoWn the Wan dereF steered away for the Cuban coast. There were no lights aboard when night fell. For hours she raced through the sea like a shadow and whoever spoke did it in whispers. In the carry morning the yaCut put lnUO | bay and the patriots came off to unload her.
 The Wanderer could have got away by mid-afternoon, but she must lie hidden from the Spanish patroling gunboats until darkness came to give her a chance. Miss Belotti was to re- turn with her When the hour came for the dash it was found that three gunboats were lying off the bay and the girl was told that she must seek safety in the lowest depths of the craft. There was sure to be firing.
 "No!' she replied. q am not afraid. l am a woman. but shall take chances with the rest"
 Good girl" replied Colonel Hope. T guess you will be as safe on deck as anywhere. Can't tell where their balls and shells are going to strike. It's all chance, anyway-the same as