Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-02-19

him.
AS the girl still regarded him with
cold, vacuous eyes. Holton flushed
angrily.
He drew himself up very stiff1y.
Il beg pardon" he said. Il fear
IL came here under some sort OF
Misunderstanding"
A CLEAN of an expression crossed
the girls face. Pierre" she remarked
to her attendant, who stood rigidly at
her side, this Is the gentleman we
met near Sevilla. is 1t not?"
| Pierre glanced at Holton, his face
| filed with an expression OF savage
hatred.
1T is, senorita." he replied.
"Yes, we met this gentleman at Sc
villa, Pierre, and he said several
things. Did he not, Pierre?"
Yes, senorita."
| "And, Pierre, what did he say!"
| He said that the Americans were
to remain faithful to their promise,
and that Cuba, after Santiago was cap
tured, was to be placed in the control
of the Cuban army"
Yes" The Cuban girl had not
|
ing, rigid and angry.
"Yes, Pierre" she repeated; and
so Santiago was captured by the
Americans-and the Cubans. And did
the Americans keep their promise.
that sacred promise?"
NO. they did not. senorita. They
refused to permit the Cubans to enter
| the city, their own city. to attend the
surrender"
"Yes, and SO. Pierre, when this
American officer told US our rights
would be observed. he did not say
what was true. Did he?"
mo, senorita He lied"
As Holton leaped forward with an
exclamation. the girl raised her hand.
"One moment, please. l am now
going to speak to you direct. You are
beneath my contempt. AS a spy. re-
spect all that you did. save one thing.
AS spy you did your duty. You WIS.,
tied the Spanish lines, you prted into
the affairs of our army, and you won
the love and the friendship Of General
Garcia. All these things were your
duty. But all this did not satisfy you.
No. In addition. you set out to win
my love-"
She buried her face in her hands
and a dry sob escaped her.
You tried to win my love" She
glanced up at him with fearless eyes.
And you did win my love. You won
1t unreservedly. 1t was yours to take.
But now l know that it was all the
part of mockery; that the love you
pretended to offer was unreal; that It
was but part and parcel OF the game
you were playing"
Holton. who had been silent, think
ing 1t better that he should hear all
before replying. could stand no more.
He raised his hand.
"Stop!" he cried with voice OF
thunder. DO you know what you are
saying?"
"Yes, l do" She leaned on Pierre's
arm. Take me away. Pierre"
"One minute. Pierre" Holton's
voice was low and tense. Before you
go. Miss La Tossa. l wish to tell you
something. Anything have said to
you in the past stand by. The Amer.
leans are going to relinquish this
country to the Cubans-but that is a
matter neither here nor there. Your
manner is insulting and unfair. Miss
La Tossa. came here today with
gladness in my heart"
with deceit-with more lies!" she
interrupted dramatically. "As spy.
l bow to you. You are very clever"
Holton Strengthened, his face white
and drawn. He looked at her for q
moment. searching her every feature.
Something In his expression quieted
her. and she pointed her hand at him.
Listen" she said. Last night my
brother went into Santiago with let
ter to you from me. He arrived at
your quarters. Then he was seized and
thrown out of the city for violating
the order of your general that Cubans
remain at distance. Perhaps you can
explain why"
"I cannot. never received the
letter"
She shook her head.
"All that is very little matter" she
continued. THAT letter contained
what have now said to you. And II
said this besides: That the enemies
OF my country are my enemies. and
that It is clear that no greater enemy
to Cuba than the United States ever
existed"
She bowed and turned away.
Holton stood for moment watch.
ting her, and then. without a word
faced abruptly about and walked to
ward his horse.
CTo BE coNTINUEpJ
a.. "a. "A. a.. a. a. "a. "a. -.