Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-01-22
She looked a. him 4 moment doube


But. nevertheless. l wanted to ses
you"
She went on as though he had not
spoken.
ut is quite clear now" She was
about to continue, when steps were
heard in the hall and q voice called
her name:
Rance! Rance, my daughter!"
She pushed Holton into the folds
jof a heavy tapestry by the door. and
then looked out into the hall.
Yes. father. Here l am"
oh. yes! l wish you would ask
Maria to prepare guest-room for
Senior Cespsla. He d-cides to remain
the night VIII u.s."
Yes, father" and with warning
SSH" Miss La Tossa went out into
the hall and disappeared.
The two men stood near the door.
chatting.
My daughter" complained La Tos-
| sa, lis still very restive. She escaped
from us the day before the battle on
horseback. and was gone the entire
day."
1T is just as WELL" 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 great, while be-
fore that rather visionary event"
You told me that young naval Off
Ger who was with Garcia had been ex-
ecuted." went on La Tossa- Il am
rather sorry for that. He was lik.
| able young man apparently"
You need spare your grief" was
| the rejoinder. when I SO informed
you believed my orders had been car
ried out. But. as 1t 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-
tives occasionally" was the quiet re-
ply. This young man Holton was in
position to undo my work. He was
in my way. AS consequence, I
forged Muller's name to a 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 the
murderous order was the work of .
| renegade and that 1t had not the sane
tion Of authority.
"Wcll, | must say | am glad he was
not executed" remarked La Tossa.
My daughter''-his voice sank low
lis. believe. very fond of him."
'And you approve?"
"Oh, 1t has not gone SO far as that!
But | do know that in some way her
little secret amour has exerted upon
her repressing influence, has caused
her to nope and to 3rood-in other
words. to curb activities which for
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.
Now listen. Miss La Tossa, l have
something ! wish to tell you. When !
net you before was unable to reas-
sus your fears as to your country.
Now l am. have spent seven days
among the leaders of our army. and I
know their intentions. | wish to as
sure you as a man of honor that AZ
soon as Santiago Is taken. as soon as
the city and the province are utterly
rid of the Spaniards. and az soon as
order is restored here. our troops are
going TO withdraw"
Is this true?" she whispered tense
ly..
1t is true. and more heard Ad.
miral Sampson and several high army
officers assure General Garcia that as
soon as practicable the Americans
would withdraw. leaving him. General
Garcia. as governor OF the province.
Now. there is no doubt of this at all.
] have heard it with my own ears
He paused and held out his hand. Are
we friends?" he added.
She met his hand inpuisiyeiy.
Yes. II thousand times. and God
bless you Americans!"
Holton drew her fingers to hts lips
figure darkened the doorway and Q
sneering voice broke the silence.
"A very charming picture. indeed"
IIolton swung around quickly. and
before him. his face writhing with a
saturnine grin. stood Cesnola. Hol-
tons hand flew to his revolver. but the
face and a significant flash of steel
on Il line with the mans waist gave
him pause.
40 BE CONTINUED,
sEs