The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1913-11-28

800
when YOU realize that war is coming
coming as sure as guns, and then
consider our unpreparedness for lit
makes you glad it's Spain and not
someone else"
Il think the naVy's pretty fit, sir"
yentured Hoiton.
All, the navy, And the army"
The words came out like bullets. The
navy is all right, and the army, too.
what there is OF it. The fighting men
of both arms Of the service are the
best this world ever saw: getting
things started. that is the trouble.
Well, thank Heaven. Dewey's-" the
assistant secretary stopped short, and
craning his neck forward. character.
istically thrust his square jaw close
TO the officers face. We've all got to
do the best we can and be sure that
when the blow comes it will come
from, and not toward US"
Holton nodded slightly.
81 liked your action in diving over.
board and vesCu;ug two OF your men
last summer" resumed MIR, Roosevelt.
And I may say that a study of your
record has convinced me that just at
present a little respite from duties
aboard the Scorpion will accrue to our
mutual advantage"
The assistant secretary paused, and
then as HoIton made no reply, he con.
tinued:
We are not yet at war with Spain
not yet, and in the meantime think
it will be just as we'll for you to re-
main in fairly close touch with my of.
ive-personal touch. BY the way,
there's a ball at the Willard tonight
"A BALL" exclaimed Holton. Then
he caught himself. Yes, sir" he add.
ed.
Yes, a bail at the Willard. Here is
a ~card-youll note it is a personal in,
vitatiOn to you"
Holton glanced at it.
81 see it, sir" He hesitated. II am
merely merely TO go there and
dance? mean-mean, sir. are there
any i~nstructio1s?"
81 should keep my eyes and ears
open if ! were you"
Yes. sir, III do that, and Lkope I'll
be able to be Of some servicet -
rising to go. MISUNDERSTANDING Ik
afraid | lack-that is, and" Holtor
paused and glanced irresolutely at hi!
chief.
That you lack definite information.
said the assistant secretary, who seem
ed to have the faculty of reading hi
thoughts and expressing them befor'
Holton himself could frame them il
suitable, or. We'll say. diplomatic
terms.
Why. yes, sir-I have a feeling tina
llS is l~nQoHnlte.
Yes. Sit down, Mr.. Holton." Hol
ton resumed his chair and his chic
leaned forward. talking rapidly In
low tone.
Here is the nub of the situation,
he began. "In the first place we hay
reason. excellent reasons. for suspec,
ing that there are certain element
among the Cubans, both in the Unite
States and in Havana, that are strons
ly inclined to doubt the good faith q
the United States in this brewing tro,
BILE with Spain"
Ho!ton, thrilled by the promise q
revelations which these opening word
conveyed, thrilled, also, by his indu,
ton into the inner affairs Of the 90,
eminent mill, flushed and regarded tn
eyeglasses turned toward him, wit
/, unbiinking eyes, impatient for the ne,
word.
: Naturally" continued Mr., Roos,
welt" The Cubans are eager to ava
: themselves of cur armed forces SEQ
ana ashore, but after the work is .
cone they want US to clear out. Whicl
9 or course, we shall do, having frs, o.
I tablished some decent and stable sy.
+ TEN OF government down there"
! mad not any idea our good fat
. was in question:" observed Holto,
, 1T is" was the reply, land II