The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-11-29
Copyright, A. G. McClurg h Co.. lob
Copyrighted in Great Britain.
CONTINUED from Page g.

you. You love ner! save ner. lou
can, and you alone can"
Holton struck the man on the shout |
der and his voice was stern
81 will save her." he paused. so |
help me, Pierre, | will
The candle was blown out and the
two waited in the darkness.
"But why" whispered Holton, "has
Miss La Tossa volunteered for this
| work."
Because" was the reply, "the per-
son. who presses that button will never
leave this place. 1t is intended that it
shall be destroyed so that no trace Of
the mystery will ever be found"
Holton's heart grew sick. Undoubted-
ly the girl, in her blind. patriotic fury,
had come forward as martyr to give
her life for the country she loved.
At the moment there was the sound
of q lock turning and then the door
creaked. Holton and Pierre were lying
behind some wine-casks. The next
instant they knew the girl was in the
apartment with them.
They heard a match strike. Evi.
IDENTIFY she had lighted lantern, for a
soft yellow glow filled the place. And
now Holton, peering through q crack
between two casks, saw her.
She still wore her khaki hunting
suit. Her face was pale as death and
her eyes blazed with supernatural
light. Slowly she looked about the
room, and then, in the middle Of the
floor, she fell upon her knees. She
was praying.
Holton arose silently and stole to
position directly in front of the switch
key. When she returned she found
him there with arms folded, standing
as immobile as statue.
She did not scream. Her lips parted
and she stood still, staring at him with
dilated eyes. So they stood for the
space of a minute. To Holton II
seemed an eternity. Then she spoke
"You!" Her voice was deep, but ex
pressionless.
1T is l, Miss La Tossa," responded
Holton.
"Why-why have you come here?"
Il have come to save you from your
self. You are in the grip Of grea
misunderstanding"
Before Holton's steady, compassion
ate gaze, the girls eyes fell. 1t was al
though some message from the Ameri
: cans heart had reached her. At an.
rate, her voice became more gentle
you must leave me, Lieutenan
Holton," she resumed. IL"
l She paused, realizing what it woul
mean to have Holton leave her to pei
form her deadly task of shattering tn
city and it's American occupants. Thi
thought caused her to reel.
III Then, as though with the flashin
swiftness Of lightning, she sprang tt
ward the officer and threw one arr
around his neck, the other reachin
over and touching the electric buttor
II "Now, Mr.. Holton," she cried, q
you move shall press"
iii Before she could complete her sci
tence Holton raised his shoulder eve
so slightly and her finger was thus n
moved at least an inch out of reac
of the little knob. She tried to sprin
away from him, but Holton held her
] Miss La Tossa," he began, Il cam
here because l love you-that is IN
only thought. l love you. l hav
loved you since I first saw you.
have spoken to you concerning til
Americans as man would speak
the woman he loves, with the who
truth In my heart. / have talke
] since I saw you this morning, wit
scores of high officers, and can te
you that what have already said
you is the whole truth.
II Cuba is certainly and surely to
left to the Cubans. England, Franc
Germany, Italy-all great countri
have been officially assured by Il
state department that it is to be. B
first, order must be restored here al
the wheels of government set goin
To that end General Wood is to be q
pointed military governor, and in go
time every single American soldi
will leave this island. There is
I doubt about that. All, Miss La Tos!
believe me! For, as God is my jud,
have spoken only the truth.
"One moment" as she essayed
speak. Losing you is price
great for me to pay-even when 1t
wolves saving my countrymen. No
cannot lose you-and live. do I
wish to live. And so-you have l
believed me. Every look, every We
of yours tells. me you regard me al
liar. So be it."
II He moved away from the push.t
ton and folded his arms.
you are now at perfect liberty
press that button. l shall not I'M
fere. | shall stay here and die W
you. That is my wish. Life me;
nothing now for me-"
A cry of horror broke from the 6
She stood swaying, surveying the
with staring eyes. Her gaze at len
fastened upon Holton, standing tn
his arms folded, his broad should
heaving, his dark, handsome
turned to her with an expression
great tenderness.
Something in his eyes, someth
- magnetic. the power of his great