Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-02-26

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mad departed.
though. Holton, with sudden excla-
nation, leaned forward. There, al
most at his feet, lay the body of
man. The girl saw it almost at the
same instant.
What is it?" she asked tremulous-
ly.
"A man." was the solemn reply.
Holton lighted match and bent
over the body. Then he Strengthened
up as though he had been struck in
the face.
at Is Cesnolal" he whispered
breathlessly.
"Cesnola!" She bent down until her
face was close to the dead man, and
her hand, reaching out, came in con-
tact with knife. This she withdrew.
and, standing up, trembling, she held
1t toward Holton.
you must get rid of this!" she
cried
rid OF It! Why?"
because it is Pierre's knife"
In flash Holton saw it all. Pierre.
| coming out had seen the spy waiting
for the explosion. Filled with hatred
for the man who had led his beloved
Rance into this situation. he had
promptly paid off the score.
"Give me the knife" Holton
wrapped the thing in his handkerchief.
and in good season contrived to place
it where it would never be found.
which is getting bit ahead of the
story.
In the meantime the two wended
their way toward headquarters. Hol-
/ ton leading the horse, the girl walk
ing very close to his side. The recent
ordeal. coupled with the discovery OF
the body of Cesnola, had unnerved her.
and occasionally dry sob broke from
her lips.
Holton decided that. more than any
thing else, she needed lights, good
cheer. and good food. So they went
to the Venus restaurant, and there.
amid all the brilliancy of its military
patrons. the bushes returned to the
girls cheeks and the laughter to her
lips.
After their meal Holton and the girl
set out for the La Tossa estate. the
girl on her pony and Holton on
horse he borrowed from one of the
generals aides.
When they reached the estate 1t was
nearly midnight. Rance was delight
ed to find awaiting her a message
from her father in Havana, assuring
her that he was well. and that through
force of circumstances he would re-
main in that city until the result of
the present campaign was determined.
The girl wept over. the letter as she
handed it to Holton.
Poor, dear father!" she cried. Il
trust he is happy-as happy as-as :"
Holton crushed her to his breast.
As to the war, but little remained.
The feet of Cervera. had been wiped
out. and thus shorn of sea power.
there was really little use in resist
ance on land. So 1t came about that
peace was agreed upon by commits
sioners of the two countries.
1t was on this day that Holton. with
a long leave of absence. and many fat
tering official papers in his luggage.
stood on the deck of great transat-
lantic liner, looking down upon the
crowd assembled on pier and bulkhead
TO wave farewell and Go. speed to
friends and relatives who were hurry
ing to the continent to spend the last
brilliant days of the waning summer
away from the scenes of bloodshed
and disease.
Close by his side, with her arm
tightly locked In his, was a girl SO
radiant that she attracted the atten-
ton of everyone who passed the lit
tie group. She had just kissed her ia
ther good-by and he was turning to
leave the ship.
And you, Thomas" he said, will
not be selfish. You will let my daugh-
ter come to me on the estate fire.
quently."
"As frequently as she Wishes"
laughed Holton. when | am doing my
two years sea service"
The father laughed and waved good
by But Just before the ship sailed
they made out his figure dashing to
the end of the bulkhead.
"Father!" cried the girl, what in
it?"
Senior La Tossa held aloft an eve
ming newspaper.
"Peace!" he cried. Peace has been
declared"
she turned to Holton.
Peace" she smiled.
Holton pressed her arm.
Was there ever anything but peace
anywhere in all the world?" hs
whispered.