The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-01-30

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1T is quite clear now" She was
about to continue, when steps were
heard in the hall and a voice called
her name:
Rance! Rance, my daughter"
She pushed HoltOn into the folds
of a heavy tapestry by the door, and
| then looked out into the hall.
Eyes, father. Here ! am"
ooh, yes. wish you would ask
Maria to prepare a guest-room for
Senior Cesnola. lie decides to remain
the night with us"
Yes, father" and with warning
SSH" Miss La Tossa went out lnto
the hall and disappeared.
The two men stood near the door,
chatting.
My daughter" complained La los
sa, is still very resti'G She escaped
from us the day before the battle on
horseback, and was gone the entire
day"
1T is just as WE'LL" was the laugh
ing reply. She will do no harm now,
for, while your daughter counts on the
mine exploding after they have van
quished US. can assure you that the
fuse will be lighted a great while Do
fore that rather visionary event.
Ia
You told me that young naval ON
Ger who was with Garcia had been eX-
ecuted," went on La Tossa. L am
rather sorry for that. He was a lik-
able young man apparently"
You need spare your grief" was
the rejoinder, when l so Informed
you believed my orders had been car
ried out. But, as it appears. he es-
capped"
Your orders." calculated La Tossa.
And when have you assumed the pre-
negatives of life and death?'
Spies must assume such preroga-
tiyes occasionally" was the quiet re-
ply. This young man Holton was IN
a position to undo my work. He was
in my way. AS consequence, |
forged Mullers name to warrant for
his execution. That fact may wound
your sensibilities: but this is war, not
child's play"
Holton's eyes fairly glared through
the darkness, and yet, despite his an
ger, he was pleased to know that tho
murderous order was the work Of q
renegade and that 1t had not the sane
ton of authority.
well, must say am glad he wsS
not executed" remarked La Tossa.
MY daughter voice sank low
lis, believe, very fond of him."
And you approve?"
ooh, it has not gone so far as that!
But ! do know that in some way her
little secret amour has eXerted upon
her depressing influence. has caused
her to nope and to 5rood--in Other
words, to curb activities which foS.
merly caused me much worry"
Miss La Tossa appeared at the mo-
ment and the two men rejoined their
comrades in the opposite room.
Are you here?" she whispered.
"Yes." Holton stepped before her.
Nov listen, Miss La Tossa, have
something | wish to tell you. When
met you before l was unable to reas'
sure your fears as to your country
Now am. I have spent seven days
among the leaders of our army, and
know their intentions. l wish to as
sure you as a man of honor that as
soon as Santiago is taken, as soon as
the city and the province are utterly
rid of the Spaniards, and as soon as
order is restored here. our troops are
going to withdraw"
"Is this true?" she whispered tense
ly.
1T is true, and more. l heard AID
miral Sampson and several high army
officers assure General Garcia that al
soon as practicable the Americana
would withdraw, leaving him, Genera
Garcia, as governor Of the province
Now, there Is no doubt of this at all
I have heard it with my own ears
He paused and held out his hand. "Ar'
we friends" he added.
She met his hand impulsively.
Eyes, a thousand times, and CO.
bless you Americana"
Holton drew her fingers to his lip
and kissed them. AS he bent thus
figure darkened the doorway and
sneering voice broke the silence.
"A very charming picture, indeed"
Holton swung around quickly, an
before him, his face writing with
saturnine grin, stood Cesnola. Ho
toms hand flew to his revolver, but tn
face and significant flash OF stee
on a line with the mans waist CAV
him pause.
| To BE coNTINUEDJ
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