The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-11-19
Copyright. A. {, mcclure Il Co, 1873
Copyrighted In Graat B-itain,
Continued from Page q


Continued from Page @.
here 70 assist in the cause SO dear to
him.
Mr. Ogilve," he said ~ feel tonight
that have not lived in vain. The
end is now near. ] have prayed ]
might some day see this. Now my
prayers have been answered"
Holton nodded with great sympathy,
and thereafter his attitude towards
this war underwent change Former
ly his spirit. like that Of many Of his
brother officers, had been one of aloof-
ness, so far as Cuba was Immediately
concerned. 1t was the war itself the
chances of glory, the prospects for
quick promotion, the opportunities for
putting into practice that which they
had learned. which had carried the
great appeal, the cause of Cuba re-
naming very much in the abstract.
Now Hclton saw the situation in a
different light. He could feel intimate.
ly that he was engaged in work for
humanity; that he was to be one OF
these who were to be concerned in
actively bringing into the world
new nation.
Then, filled with the heaviness of
the climate, he spread his blanket UP.
on bed of boughs. and lulled by the
signing Of the leaves, he closed his
eyes and was soon asleep.
He must have slumbered an hour,
when he awoke suddenly. Ordinarily
he was a sound sleeper. and he knew
that his awakening was due to some
outward cause.
He lay for a moment wondering, and
then the sound of low voices gave him
the cause of his rousing. A glance to.
ward General Garcia's quarters re.
vealed to him the figure Of that sol.
der. gazing thoughtfully into a small
fire. A second glance showed that
the old soldier was conversing with an
officer whom he had not noticed be.
fore.
Holton wound himself snugly in his
blanket and was about to fall asleep
when sentence arrested his mind and
brought him wide awake.
Il DO not ask you. general, what
your convictions as to the United
States are. l tell you merely what
circumstances may arise and ask you
what you would do in that event."
Garcia shook his head slowly.
Il decline to discuss improbabilities.
or rather impossibilities," he answered.
"The United States has acted nobly.
and will so continue to act"
Nevertheless" persisted his in.
Quisitor. Il ask you what you would
do. Come, come,"-Holton recognized
by his manner a parsonage Of some
authority in the Cuban cause-"it
would be SO easy for you to say that
until Cuba is absolutely free no drop
OF blood in your body is your own"
1T would be easy to say that" was
the sad response, but have shed my
blood. am old. l have struggled
and suffered for my country. In the
Intervention Of the United States sec
the answer to all my struggles and to
all my prayers. ! am like a man who
has come to the end Of long journey.
l see the brightness ahead, the load is
eased from the back. Gods hand is
now at work in this island. And as
his hand moves, so will | abide. He
Ils sent the Americans here and he
will send them away in good season
after their work is done. If not, then
so be it"
For moment there was silence.
Then Garcia spoke again.
you have nothing to fear. 1t is my
thought that unless our American
friends make a speedy ending OF this
campaign they will be routed by dis
ease. and if they do not fly they will
die. surely and certainly. And thus
even If l agreed with you in your con.
tentions, | should still advocate leav.
Ing the matter TO God.
Time will tell And now you must
sleep, general. Who was that Aneri.
cam be added, who remains with
your"
AN Englishman. newspaper
writer" Was the reply.
He Is not English; he IL American"
Admiral Sampson vouched for him,
But at any rate, suppose he is an
American? Iie might be that and sull
be writer for the English press"
General Garcia arose deCisively.
AS you suggest" he said, 81 must
sleep. There is yet much before me-"
There Is much yet before us ALL"
grumbled the officer. Good night,
general"
AS Garcia turned to his tent the man
walked to the fire; be leaned down.
seized an ember ana lighted a cigar
cite. The tlamea hone full upon his
face.
With half Holton arose In
his blanket u, as the fellow
staighten'i l." sank back upon
the bo"oh } eyes never left
the man ace.
At lei E ick motion, the
Cuban turned tow ~ 1oiton, who had
Just time to elgsu ..ls eyes. Thus he
lay tense, listening for the sounds that
would have caused him to spring to his
feet-the sounds OF the mans foot,
steps approaching him.
But the sounds did not come. As
Holton at length opened his eyes be