The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-07-18
The Man From
Montana
tcopyrisht 1911. BY Associated Literary Prs,s)
BY Michael J. Porter

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 a good fellow. He was twenty
six 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
fiat surface OF the Atlantic ocean. He
chartered the yacht WGn6erer and
voyaged to South America. II 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 harbor
OF Key West, two boats filled with
what was 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 gal
liant Mr.. Hope stepped forward to
raise his hat and do the honors.
The girl was Miss Nina Belotti, Gu
ban born. educated in the states and
her father I'm business in New York
and member OF the Cuban Junta.
She had set sail on fast schooner to
deliver q cargo OF arms TO the pat
riots, but a sudden squall had driven
the craft ashore on one Of the outer
islands. Unless the yacht could be
induced to transfer the cargo 20 her
hold and deliver II 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 immediate
ly interested and was about to offer
his herd OF 10000 steers 70 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 bad 70 do i, YOU see" ex-
planned the girl q feared you would
not comply with my request"
"Of course we won't" shouted the
captain as he sprang TO his feet.
Wen fight for it Colonel Hope, II
we are caught by the Spaniards with
munitions for the rebels every one OF
us will be shot"
"softly, captain" replied the Hon.
Hope. 1n the hrst place, they've al.
ready captured us. In the next,
have decided to make the Cuban cause
my own. In the third, here is young |
lady appealing to US with tears In her |
eyes. The native chivalry OF old Mon
tana can't go back on all these
things"
But. man"
"Ta, tal Miss Belotti, am yours
truly truly q an2 S Y the Yacht = Ls, !. your
The wanderer was headed for the !
stranded schooner and was soon along
side OF her and the cargo being trans
ferred. 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
girl had learned most all there was to
know about Montana and the cattle
business. At Eundown the Wanderer
stood 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 1t in whispers. In
the early morning hours the yacht put
In TO a bay, and the patriots came on
10 unload her.
The Wanderer could have got away
by mid-afternoon, but she must lie
hidden from the Spanish patroling
gunboats till darkness came TO give
her a chance Miss Belotti was to re-
turn with her. When the hour came
for the dash II 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 10 be firing.
moi" she replied Il am not afraid.
| am a woman. but | shall take
chances with the rest"
Good girl" replied Colonel Hope
II guess you will be as safe on deck
ms anywhere Can't tell where their
balls and shells are going TO strike.
It's all chance, anyway-the same as
getting home after meeting a grizzly
bear"
The pirate captain In charge had
nerve, He headed straight out OF the
bay, II there was a collision the en-.
smy should also go TO the bottom. II
firsd on they must grin and bear II.
Some OF the men lay fiat on the decks
.E-zothers hid away below. Some
cursed and others wept. The gunboats
were lying 10 the path with their
crews at the guns
The Hon. Hope and Miss Belotti |
promenaded and ronyersed In whis-
psrs. He told her still more about |
old Montana. He told OF its noun |
tains and rivers--of It's people--of his |