Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1914-02-25
CHAPTER XIV.
A Sweet PARTING.

The girl screamed and threw ha
arms about Holton's neck. There was
no mistaking the intentions OF Ces-
nola, and neither was there any DOS
sibility OF Misunderstanding the hold
which the spy had gained over these
| men,
Holton. pale but determined. sought
10 disengage the girls hands. while
the men dragged gently at her arms
AT this juncture stern voice arose
above the confusion
Men, put up your weapons. What
is this?"
General Garcia. accompanied by sew
eral of his staff broke through the
group of Cubans and stopped near the
little knot about Holton and the girl.
"Garcia!" a cheer arose, but the
general stilled it with his hand.
Men" he said, Il have been a wit
ness OF your deliberations. / can as
sure you that your fusillade will be
unnecessary, because 1t will not be
needed. Your plot. beg to assure
you, has failed. Senior Cesnola."
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
ously.
You gentlemen will return to your
commands. Every one of you. Mr.
Holton, you will go back to your
camp am glad to have been OF
| service to you. Miss La Tossa will
return to her estate-and remain
there. AS for you"-he faced Ces-
nola-I 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. lie patted her
| shoulder with paternal affection.
Then, calling two of his men, he d.
rected them to escort the girl through
the secret trail to her fathers estate.
When Holton 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
"che prisoner has no complaint to
make of your decision, but asks your
leniency in one respect"
I'm what respect?" asked the gen
eral.
He asks that he may be shot in
stead of hanged"
Garcia reflected moment Then
he made a little gesture
Very WELL" he decided at length.
The officer saluted and walked hasti-
ly away.
Who was the prisoner" asked Hol-
ton
Jose Cesnola," was the reply.
Hardly had he spoken when the
whipllke report of several rifles broke
the silence of this beautiful sunlit
morning Garcia lowered his head.
! Holton looked vacantly into space.
And So he thought, has passed the
waiter of the New Willard.
Holton's return to the American
trenches was signalized by an honor
that brought adequate reward, with
interest, for all that he had gone
through This was dispatch for him
from the secretary of the navy an
nouncing his advancement ten num-
| bers for meritorious service at Tampa.
and containing also information that
congress had voted him the congress
sional medal Of honor for gallantry I'm
notifying the North Atlantic squadron
Of the intentions OF Cervera's squad
/ ron.
/ An event OF the next day was the
/ return OF Hobson from Santiago. in
/ company with six sailors who had
! been captured with him. Holton
| pressed forward and joined in the
! cheers Of the regulars as this qpiet.
| faced young man rode through their
/ ranks on the way 10 Siboney after an
/ imprisonment of more than FIVE weeks.
He had performed a deed OF sig
nal gallantry, a deed which will live
! as long az the annals Of the American
navy live. and as the years 90 will
grow only the brighter.
| The days went on. IL now Seemed
/ assured that the surrender was but a
matter Of short time, and Rolton
spent the period In enjoying a well.
/ earned rest
At length, on July IS, General ToraI
and his STAFF rode out TO San Juan N
where General Shafter and General
Miles and their STATS awaited him un.
der the famous tree. The meeting
was very picturesque. and dignity
marked the demeanor Of all concerned
After long discussion General To.
raj and his officers turned and rode to
ward The city. and the American gen