Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-02-26

"No-come. am certain now the
way is clear. l feared he was below.
1t is all right Come"
Something in the fellows manner
made Holton's obedience implicit.
Without word he followed the man.
The Cuban had lighted candle. Fol-
long tunnel opening before him. In
the apartment itself were several cleo
trical appliances. and a push-button
was In the wall.
Holton marveled greatly at what he
was going through. but the man he
had seen with Miss La Tossa was up
permost in his mind.
81 thought that fellow. Cesnola. was
dead" he said tensely.
For the man with the girl was none
other than that of the omnipresent and
apparently immortal waiter OF the
New Willard.
Pierra laughed without mirth.
THE man is q devil!" he replied.
THE firing party at his execution was
selected by an officer friendly to him.
ed death. Thus he escaped. General
Garcia was tricked by his own men,"
Holton nodded.
But what is the meaning of all
these instruments he asked. "And
why have YOU brought me here?"
The man faced Holton gravely.
This tunnel" he answered. leads
under the heart of Santiago. At short
distances it is packed with dynamite.
This key will release the spark that
sets 1t of. 1t is the plan that the city
and the American soldiers shall be
blown to pieces. after which. the
Cuban soldiers now gathered on the
secret trail, leading into the town. will
rush in and assume CONTROL
And Miss La Tossa?" he asked
quaveringly.
"Senorita has been selected to
press the button. have brought you
here to stop her. To save the city. to
save the Americans, to save herself,
for when that button is pressed she
dies here" Pierre sank on his knees.
"Oh, Mr.. Holton, save her! She loves
you. You love herl Save her. You
can. and you alone can"
Holton struck the man on the shoul-
der and his voice was stern.
"I will save her." he paused. so
help me. Pierre, will"
The candle was blown out and the
two waited in the darkness.
But why" whispered Holton, has
Miss La Tossa volunteered for this
work."
Because" was the reply. "the per-
son who presses that button will never
fu frf hot .
shall be destroyed SO that no trace of
the mystery will ever be found"
Holton's heart grew sick. Undoubted-
ly the girl, in her blind, patriotic fury,
had come forward as a martyr to give
her life for the country she loved.
At the moment there was the sound
of lock turning and then the door
creaked. Holton and Pierre were lying
behind some wine-casks. The next
instant they knew the girl was in the
apartment with them.
They heard match strike. Evi.
IDENTIFY she had lighted lantern. for
soft yellow glow filled the place. And
now Holton. peering through a crack
between two casks, saw her.
Holton arose silently and stole to
position directly in front of the switch
key. When she returned she found
as immobile as a statue.
She did not scream. Her lips parted
and she stood still, staring at him with
dilated eyes. So they stood for the
space OF a minute. To Holton It
seemed an eternity. Then she spoke.
"You!" Her voice was deep, but ex-
pressionless.
1T is l. Miss La Tossa." responded
Holton.
"Why-why have you come here?"
Il have come to save you from your
self. You are in the grip of great
misunderstanding"
Before Holtons steady. compassion
ate gaze. the girls eyes fell. 1t was as
though some message from the Ameri
cans heart had reached her. at any
rate, her voice became more gentle.
You must leave me. Lieutenant
Holton." she resumed. IL"
She paused. realizing what 1t would
mean to have Holton leave her to per-
form her deadly task of shattering the
city and its American occupants. This
thought caused her to reel.
Then, as though with the Aashing
swiftness of lightning, she spxang to
ward the officer and threw one arm
around his neck, the other reaching
over and touching the electric button.
Now. Mr.. Holton." she cried. eff
you move l shall press"
Before she could complete her SEN
tence Holton raised his shoulder ever
SO slightly and her finger was thus re-
moved at least an inch out of reach
of the little knob. She tried to spring
away from him. but Holton held her.
Miss La Tossa.' he began, II came
hare love Ir