Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1914-02-26

He could see table, and around II |
some men in uniform. drinking and |
smoking. The figures were. of course, |
indistinct, and although Holton could |
catch the sound OF their voices. he |
could not make out what was being |
said
AS he crouched thus under the win
dow-ledge the front door opened. and
"A figure passed out and walked to one
end of the long veranda. Here the
man emitted low whistle. which was
not answered. With a muttered excla-
nation. the stranger retraced his
steps. and. walking directly past Hol-
ton in the other direction. leaned over
the railing and whistled again.
Holton never afterward knew what
possessed him, but he noticed that the
man had left the front door slightly
ajar. Acting upon quick thought, he
suddenly leaned down. unlaced his
shoes. and then. with a quick glance
at the fellow still leaning over the
railing and cursing under his breath.
he stole from his position, made for
the open door. and slipped hastily and
noiselessly into the hall.
light with "a deep red shade was
burning here, and the shadows IL cast
were heavy. The door of the room in
TO which he had been peering was half
open, and across the hall. directly op-
posite. was a corresponding room. the
interior OF which was not lighted.
Into this apartment. scarcely breath
ing. Holton stole. standing inside the
jamb and listening with strained ears.
Before he could adjust himself to the
sense OF what was being said. the man
who had emerged from the door when
I LIZ -
into the hall. closed the door and en-
tered the lighted room. He was at
tired in the uniform of a captain In
the navy. and his entrance seemed to
quiet somewhat the ardor of the argu-
ment.
1t is agreed. then gentlemen. that
the city cannot long endure siege?"
The voice was deep and authoritative
Holton. in an ecstasy OF eagerness.
craned his head forward.
Il for one deny it," was the angry
response.
But aside from you, general" was
the rejoinder. we seem unanimous. DO
we not?"
There was chorus OF assent.
Then Hoilton heard a voice that he
recognized; a voice that sent thrills
down his spine and caused him TO
loosen his revolver in it's holster.
Skaters army alone would not suf-
fee. But | know that General Miles
with achievements will soon be here,
and | know, also. that while General
Shafter would prefer TO abandon his
present position. he will not do SO.
can inform you. too. that the lines OF
our army will not be attacked by
charge on the morrow. and that a lons
siege will be entered upon. The Amer
leans are in excellent health. and they
will starve US to submission
1t was the voice of the waiter of the
New Willard.
But, Senior Cesnola," interposed the
first speaker. you hnve led us to be
lieve that within a week. at least, your
Cuban rebels will turn upon the Amer
leans"
They will when l give the word"
Then why not give it1"
because the time IL not ripe. They
, would be wiped out of existence. Tha
time must come when the fever hal
, begun it's work and the army II be
ginning to be demoralized. Two
three-hve more days in the trenches
on the hillsides under this hot sun
will do our work for u.s.
"Gentlemen" went on the frs
speaker. my mind is made up. To
morrow Is the End OF July. We shall
make no move then. But / warn you
IL on the morning OF July 3 the situa
ton is still unchanged the fleet will
leave Santiago harbor. Orders from
Blanco are getting imperative. II W,
survive the attempt and reach Havana
we shall be safe; it cannot be taken.
believe, in a years siege. Here tn,
successful storming of our lines mean,
the end OF our navy and the unsuccess
full close of this war"
another voice.
Those are my orders and they ar,
final"
Holton. trembling like leaf hi
mouth hanging open, drank in tn
words AZ drowning man drinks fl
his last breath OF air. He could hard
| ly credit his senses.
Here, after night OF aimles
stumbling through the blackness an
r through the rain. he had CHANGED upoi
p the very place OF all places where in
+ formation most valuable to his cour
+ try's success was to be obtained
n The voices had fallen to a hum and
t strain his ears he would, he coul
g catch no more than fragmentary ser
I fences. Some one went out at tn
+ door. and presently the sound @
{ horses hoofs was heard on the She
driveway. Three men departed, an
d then Holton heard the scraping @
d chairs and the rattle of glasses, a
. though those that remained were prs