The Huttig news., 1913-11-29
CHAPTER XII.
4 Night Rendezvous.

imbed, his uniform so spick and span. his face so handsome, that Holton turned to glance after him. He. too, was turning to gaze at Holton, and now brought his horse to a sharp hat Voting this, the navy man walked toward the fellow, feeling that he had seen him somewhere before but pug zled to know where.
 The young soldier. with head turned over shoulder. nodded to Holton. and then, with a sweep of the hand, beck oned him toward group of small palms, whither he urged his horse at slow walk. The naval officer fol lowed and came to staudstill beside the beautiful animal.
 The boy-he was little mort-bent down and looked at IJolton moment Then he smiled and held out his hand.
 You have been pointed out to me as Lieutenant Holton," he said. Are you he?"
 Holton looked at the other steadily without answering. A thrill passed over him.
 "1 could almost say" he replied finally, that you are Miss La Tossa in disguise"
 You would be pretty nearly right. was the laughing response; T am her brother"
 "Oh!" Holton reached up and seized the lads hand T am very happy to see you Where is your sister?'
 At home. l stole in to visit her last night She wished me to find you and to ask you to accompany me to a place beyond Sevilla at once She will await us on the road and will have something of importance to say to you do not know what It is."
 But" Holton hesitated. T have just come in from Santiago at some peril. have work to do here."
 The boy smiled at him.
 There will be no peril in return ing with me. We Cubans," he gri- maced, have a secret route into the city which has always been kept open. It is open now You must come with me; my sister has news of great 1m- tortanee you must hear.' Holton needed no great incentive to accompany the other. He still wore his Spaniard's uniform, with the ad- 1 dition of an army hat bearing the 1 insignia of the Fifth Corps. and he l felt himself sartorially well qualified once more to penetrate the ranks O Izthe -eHefay, if that were necessary I With the young Cuban for guide he felt that danger was reduced to 8 | minimum.
 T have pony you may ride, con. tinued the boy, mistaking Holton s silence for hesitation.
 "Oh I'll go, even if l walk" returned Holton, but certainly shall appre- liate the horse"
 Sunset was the hour and the Cuban camp the rendezvous agreed upon by the two, and after shaking hands with the young man, Holton returned to his own lines and made his way to Shafter's headquarters. The com mander-in-chief was in wretched phys cal condition, and the able and en- exgetic Lieutenant Miley was attend
  To this officer Holton made his way
 Did you receive any word from the President" he asked.
 The naval officer some days previ' ously had requeated General Shafte1 to solicit message from the Presi- dent disclaiming any idea of holding and anuexing Cuba after the close Of hostiities. It was we'll understood by Shafter, or rather by his aide, why Iolton proffered the request
 Now, in reply to his question, the aide dived into his tent and emerged bearing cable dispatch sent from Washington via Key West and Guan .anamo. It was addressed to General Shafter and read as follows:
 The President states herewith that hostilities against the Kingdom of Spain were instituted with the sole purpose of liberating Cuba from Span. ish rule. It is our wish that, thus free, she shall take her proud place among the republics of America"
 "Good!" exclaimed Holton, after reading the message. Nothing am biguous about that, Is there?"
 Not thing" laughed Miley. "l suppose you want this"
 "lt would be invaluable" responded Holton eagerly. May l take it?"
 For reply, the tall. weather-beaten army officer handed tlolton the cable. gram.
 At sunset he proceeded to the spot suggested by young La Tossa. and found him already mounted and hold ing another pony oy the bridle.
 You are on time" he said. "Tbi' is your horse, and l suggest we star at once"
 For an hour they rode In silence and finally paused in a copse of wood outside the little settlement called St villa. Here the young Cuban dis mounted. and IIolton did likewise looking inquringly at the boy. Tn latter smiled half mockingly. and Ho ion. advancing to him, placed hi hapd upon his arm, while he regarde, the youth with curious eyes.
 You make me think very much your sister, he said.
 Do F" The fellow laughed. "Yot
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