Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-11-11
Forbidden Fruit.

Just at the tlfQe WheQ ne was on the
coast of Dolores-that his engine had
unoompromisingly broken down. and
that he must put into the nearest port
for repairs.
While I'm about it," he said to
Hernandez, his secret passenger. you
can land your oil stoves for the in
surrectos.'
Hernandez nodded Your legiti-
mate passengers-some of your crew.
he said, you'd best get them out OF
the way first-we don't want too many
witnesses-the rife cases might break
open"
IT'S all right" said the captain,
simple enough. I'll land 'em in the
daytime Wen land your cargo in the
night"
He glanced toward shore. Sudden
ly he caught Hernandez by the arm.
Nonder, senor." he exclaimed, look
the flag of the insurrectos-it is
their camp"
Annette Ilington, startled by the ces-
sation of the engines, glanced out OF
the window of her stateroom. She
woke her foster mother, Mrs. Hardin.
Land" said Annette, look"
There was not only land-there was
a village-there was a big house
and there were people.
Already a launch had put of from a
neat plantation dock, and inside OF
twenty minutes had drawn up along
side the Rio Grande.
In the launch, seated comfortably
In an easy wicker chair, smoking a
long panatela. sat q prosperous look
ing Central American gentleman.
At the captains invitation he
boarded the Rio Grande and looked
about him. His glance was keen-he
seemed to see everything at once.
You will pardon, senior captain"
he explained, "but-these are sus-
picious times. We look for trouble
everywhere. You see yonder hill.
Somewhere in that forest turks revo-
luton. All that they need is guns,
senor Guns and ammunition. Hence
my apprehension as to the Rio
Grande."
My stars" exclaimed the captain,
eff I'd known they wanted guns. blow
me, but Id have brought few along"
An hour later the Central American
was standing on the veranda of his
large plantation house, experimenting
the serving of iced drinks and a bit of
food, to his accidental guests, Annette
Ilington and her party.
Annette suddenly rose to her feet
1.-THE Rio Grande," she exclaimed
"look-she is leaving us"
Her host shook his head. she is
moving, on a pair of crutches-as one
would say-into a quieter cove. There
she will repair herself. Meantime,
command me as your servants, sonora
-senoritas, if you please
The captain of the Rio Grande was
clever enough to perceive that he
would further disarm the suspicious
of the rich plantation owner by NOV.
ing the Rio Grande down the coast
instead of up the coast-away from
rather than nearer to the insurrectos
stronghold. He knew his business,
did the captain of the Rio Grande.
tor, the Portuguese Hernandez.
"Ah,' said Hernandez that evening
from the deck of the Rio Grande, her
majesty the MOON"
AS If in answer to his exclamation,
a dozen rowboats shot out of the shad.
ows and lined up alongside the Rio
Grande. The first of these made fast
,,sEt, a.
climbed the ships ladder like a
monkey. Hernandez received him.
Senor," he said, saluting.
The other man grinned. you have
oil stoves for Panama." he queried.
For Panama, yes" smiled Herman.
dez.
This said the other, with another
grim smile, lis Panama"
First and foremost, senior general -
said Hernandez, money down"
The insurrecto counted out the cash.
Hernandez thrust it into his pocket.
"Senor." he said, opening the door
and giving vent to a low whistle, Il
shall be glad to throw in something
else with the oil stoves for Panama.
Two figures appeared in the door
way-entered the room.
The insurrecto gazed at one of them
in amazement. Then he turned to
Hernandez.
What will you throw in?' he quer-
led. .
Hernandez placed one hand upon
his breast and waved the other at his
two companions. MY own services
and that of my good friend, Ponto-
and this beast We are fighters, senor.
We would take pot luck with you. !"
The insurrecto's eyes cleaned. de
| lighted, senor,' he returned.
Hernandez didn't mention that he
had other motives than Just to help
Half an hour later the last rife
case-the last chest of ammunition
had been safely slowed away in the
bottom of the last small boat. Then
Hernandez, his companions and the
insurrecto leader dropped into a
launch and sped away.
ITO Be Continued
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