The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-03-06

AS lhey walked to the girls pony,
'Aousn' Holton, with a sudden excla-
iio'ion' leaned forward. There, al.
ino9' at his feet, lay the body of a
nian' The girl saw 1t almost at the
same instant.
"nat Is it?' she asked tremulous-
A man" was the solemn reply.
notion lighted a match and bent
over the body. Then he straightened
ny as though he had been struck in
the face.
II is Cesnola!" he whispered
breathlessly.
Cesnola!" She bent down until her
race was close to the dead man, and
ner hand. reaching out, came in con-
tact with a knife. This she withdrew,
ana standing up. trembling, she held
1t toward Holton.
You must get rid Of this!" she
cried.
Rid Of 1t! Whyr
Because it is Pierre's knife"
IN flash Holton saw It all. Pierre,
coming out had seen the spy waiting
1or the explosion. Filled with hatred
Tor the man who had led his beloved
rance into this situation, he had
promptly paid off the score.
Give me the knife" Holton
wrapped the thing in his handkerchief,
AND IN good season contrived to place
1t where 1t would never be found,
which is getting a bit ahead of the
story.
IN the meantime the two wendell
their way toward headquarters. Hol-
Ton leading the horse, the girl walk
Ing very close to his side. The recent
ordeal, coupled with the discovery of
the body Of Cesnola, had unnerved her.
and occasionally dry sob broke from
her lips.
Holton decided that, more than any
thing else, she needed lights, good
cheer, and good food. So they went
to the Venus restaurant, and there,
amid all the brilliancy of It's military
patrons, the bushes returned to the
girls cheeks and the laughter to her
lips.
After their meal Holton and the girl
set out for the La Tossa estate, the
girl on her pony and Holton on a
horse he borrowed from one Of the
generals aides.
When they reached the estate 1t was
nearly midnight Rance was delight
ed to find awaiting her message
from her father In Havana, assuring
her that he was we'll, and that through
force Of circumstances he would re.
main In that city until the result OF
the present campaign was determined
The girl wept over the letter as she
handed 1t to Holton.
Poor, dear father!" she cried. 81
trust he is happy-as happy as-as :"
| Holton crushed her to his breast.
II
/ As to the war, but little remained
The feet of Cervera had been wipe(
ont, and thus shorn of sea power
ENTHUSIASTICALLY little use In resist
4 xnc< on land. So 1t came about tina
peace was agreed upon by commits
sioners Of the two countries.
It was on this day that Holton, will
a long leave of absence. and many fiat
tering official papers in his luggage
stood on the deck Of great transat
lantic liner, looking down upon thu
crowd assembled on pier and bulkheat
to wave farewell and Godspeed tt
friends and relatives who were hurry
ing to the continent to spend the las
brilliant days of the waning summe
away from the scenes of bloodshe'
and disease.
Close by his side, with her arm
tightly locked in his, was girl 81
radiant that she attracted the atten
ton Of everyone who passed the III
tie group. She had Just kissed her IA
Their good.by and he was turning t.
leave the ship.
And you, Thomas" he said. Evil
not be selfish. You will let my daugt
ter come to me on the estate fire
Quently."
| As frequently as she wishes,
laughed Holton. when I am doing m
two years sea service"
The father laughed and waved goot
by. But Just before the ship sale
they made out his figure dashing t
the end Of the bulkhead.
"Father!" cried the girl. what
it%
Senior La Tossa held aloft an ev,
ming newspaper.
"Peace!" he cried. Peace has bee
declared"
"She turned to Holton.
Peace" she smiled.
Holton pressed her arm.
Was there ever anything but peac
anywhere in all the world" b
whispered.
| fTIJM ENnN