The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-11-26
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will nut troIleY.carS-


will put trolley-cars-"
A fierce yell interrupted him. anu,
although he raised his hand, he couiu
not again regain attention. NOT iiau
he need to. He had done MS Wolh'
and done it we'll This he knew as
he stood smiling at the writing faces
OF his frenzied audience.
One man arose. holding aloft
sword.
INV countrymen," he yelled, "if by
tomorrow night | have not pluhseu
this into the breast of five Americans,
/ shall plunge it into my own throat.
A wild cheer greeted his WORDS.
Then came a lull suddenly, as though
the men were seeking outlet for their
emotions. And Cesnola was there to
give it to them.
He held out his hand. All eyes
were fastened on him. The first WORD
had fallen from his mouth when the
voice of woman, raised In thrilling
cadence, wiped additional utterance
from the spys lips.
AS Holton looked the girl sprang
to the speakers side and held out
her hand. And as she stood thus. tho
naval officer never forgot the picture.
"My countrymen," she cried at
length, 81 have listened to all who
have spoken. and | have observed you.
have wondered whether the fever
has got into your brains, and whether
you are children led hither and thither
by the idle words OF plotters."
Cesnola sprang In front Of her and
pushed her roughly aside.
Il resent this intrusion!" he shout
ed. Il resent the presence OF this
woman"
What more he would have said may
only be surmised. for the girl. her eyes
blazing, turned to the audience. and.
with finger Quivering at the spy. she
said:
THAT man pushed me, my country.
men. Is there no one to avenge met"
Her voice was quiet, almost unemo-
ti0nal. and she looked calmly around
the circle. It was plain to see she was
beloved Of these men; but it was
equally plain that the spell Of the
spy's words lay about their minds In
serpent coils. She paused.
II see! Chivalry has departed from
among us. must myself wipe out
this gross insult"
So saying and before anyone could
move, her riding.whip flashed In her
hand, and she struck Cesnola a blind.
ing blow across the face From the
sheer shock he went down as though
hit by an ak. But he sprang to his
feet on the instant. his face livid with
rage, his hand upon a long hunting
knife.
In another second Holton would
have been at the girls side; but be-
fore he could move, half-dozen 70
volvers flashed in the hands Of Gu.
ban officers. and the deep voice OF
the elderly captain broke the stu.
ness.
stop, Senior Cesnola. Remember
who you are-and remember It we'll.
We have listened to you. and now We
will listen t. the beautiful and spir.
tied senorita."
Miss La Tossa smiled radiantly.
Thank you," she replied. II have |
no burst Of eloquence to give you.
men of Cuba. say merely that you |
have been badly advised, misled. by
those whose interest 1t is to mislead
you. And. further. do nothing more
than this"
She flashed aloft President McK,n.
ley's dispatch. and then handed It to
the Cuban captain. who read II and
then In silence passed it around tho
circle. At length, as it was about IN
go into Cesncias hands, Miss La
Iossa intercepted the paper and OK.
tended it to an officer whom she knew
* TO not wish this to pass into that
mans hands," she said. "Will Won
read 1t to him. MAJOR"
The officer complied and then "a.
turned the dispatch to the girl with >
bow.
"Gentlemen." cried the young WON.
IN, can you ask more than thatw
A cheer--not a general cheer-.hrt
still fairly satisfactory in its strength
Sreefed her words. As II died ont
'esnola stood forth, raising his hand
lie regarded the girl llalignantly
Let US know one thing" he sn.r,.d
Where did you get that messaga9
Are you"
Miss La i ,ssa stamped her foot
SIieace! She cried. TO Won
'Ha'i Lot speaA anolhec word. II anv
'pnf'emah"--shp emphasized the term
IF any true Cu6an"-this word she
lso OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 10 question
ne. | will gladly respond"
Well" replied an officer, I'VE ask
GU, then. t0 answer the statement
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