The Huttig news., 1913-12-13
CHAPTER xV.
A Sweet Partinq.

A Sweet Parting.
 The girl screamed and threw her arms about Holtons neck. There was no mistaking the intentions of Ces- nola. and neither was there any pos sihility of misunderstanding the hold which the spy had gained over these men.
 Holton. pale but determined. sought to disengage the girls hands, while the men dragged gently al her arms.
 At this iuncture a stern voice arose above the confusion.
 Men. put up your weapons. What is this ?.
 General Garcia. accompanied by sev- eral of his staff. broke through the group of Gubans and stopped near the little knot about tolton and the girl.
 "Garcia." A cheer arose. but tho general stilled it with his hand
 M en- he said "I have been a wit ness of your deliberations. can as sure you that your fusillade will bf unnecessary, because it will not b. needed. Your plot. I beg to assure you, has failed Senor Gesnola.
 He beckoned two of his staff. who advanced and placed their hands upon the spy's shoulders He was trembling now, and words failed his parched tongue
 The general waved his hand imperi- ously.
 You gentlemen will return to your commands. Every one of you. Mir. Holton, you will go back to your camp-I am glad to have been O.; service to you Miss La Tossa will return to her estate-and remain there As for you"-he faced Ces nola-'T shall deal with you tomor row. Take him to my headquarters and let him be closely confined"
 Several soldiers stepped forward and hastily bound the spy's arms Miss La Tossa ran up and kissed the general on the cheek. He patted her shoulder with paternal affection Then, calling two of his men, he di rected them to escort the girl through the secret trail to her fathers estate
 This night the great hold that Gar cia had upon his men not only, bui upon those of Castillo and other com handlers as well, was obvious. As h. rode among them they arose ane cheered hifh, and when he spoke tc them reasuringly of the American they listened with bowed heads all, believed him.
 As Holton wrapped himself in thf folds of his blankets he thrilled at thf thought that this night, had it nc been partially for him,>partially fo Miss La Tossa, but very largely fo: General Garcia, history might hayt taken a sharp turn from the iogica course. and chapters of the campaigi in Cuba might have been written thai were in no sense included ih the phil osophy of the wiseacres at Washing ton.
 Thus thinking, he curled mp and went to sleep with lighter heart than in some days.
 When HoIton awoke Garcia had left the tent, but he soon returned. and with smile asked his guest how he had slept Holton thanked him. and assured him his slumber had been sound
 As they talked thus an officer ap peared. and. saluting. addressed Gar cia formally.
 "'The prisoner has no complaint to make of your decision. but asks your icniency in one respect
 "In what respeet?" asked the gen- eral
 He asks that he may be shot in- stead of hanged
 Garcia reflected moment. Then he made little gesture.
 "Very we'll" he decided at le,gth.
 The officer sauted and walked hasti- ly away.
 "Who was the prisoner?" asked Hol- ton.
 Jose Cesrola," was tho reply.
 Hardly had he spoken when the whipiikc report of several rifles broke the silence ol this beautiful snnlit morning Garcia lowered his head.