The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1915-08-19

1
the Towering stem.
The eyes of Franco flashed. Pepina
tore herself from his protecting clasp.
| She rushed at the box, picked 1t up
| and clasped it to her breast, sobbing
out:
| "Oh, cruel! cruel! You make a
harmless flower bleed-and my hearth
Poor. dear! poor wounded dear!" and
she pressed the box closer to her
| bosom.
Pepina was clasping the denuded
| plant as though 1t were hurt child.
| She took her place by the side of her
| lover. The soldiers guarding them
| front and rear, they were marched
from the room and into the street.
The official who had arrested them
consulted a higher official in command
OF troop of soldiers massed near by.
Then he returned to his own coterie.
These prisoners are to be taken
to Monte Carrena," he advised. THE
commandant has reason to believe
that they are the secret head of the
group which has made US so much
trouble. They are to be state prison
ers. Pouf!" and the facetious official
drew his hand across his throat as If
to indicate sure execution.
Let me keep close to you," whis-
pered Pepina as the long tramp was
begun.
But when we are separated at the
prison" began Franco mournfully.
we shall not be separated if you
will be alert" assured Pepina mysteri-
ously. Hush, the soldiers are watch
ing US. When we near the old wooden
bridge crossing the Palma, be Wig
liant
What mean your" began Franco
wonderingly, but one of the soldiers
at that moment prodded him up with
his bayonet, and the colloQuy was in
terrupted.
AS the little party got beyond the
edge of the city the leader secured a
piece of rope and bound one hand of
Franco to that of Pepina, thus ham,
pering any attempt at flight. The road
was deserted and the soldiers allowed
the twain to proceed In advance while
they struggled on behind.
Franco suddenly whispered Pc
| pima.
Yes, my love-"
Make urgent haste end great ado
| in scaling the incline and in crossing
the bridge"
You have purpose?"
| wait and see," returned Pepina
enigmatically, but with strange hope
| fulness of manner.
| The lightly tripping girl and her will
ing lover moved up the incline with
the due agility of youth and purpose.
The accoutrements of the soldiers
mado their progress less rapid. Franco
and Pepina were half way across the
wooden bridge spanning the deep and
turbid Palma before their captors had
completed the ascent to the approach.
Haiti shouted the officer, as he
noted their rapid and suspicious ad.
vance.
| Run" uttered Pepina, cor all ia
lost!"
| Halt, or we will firel" again shout
|
at the approach to the bridge struc.
ture.
But just at that moment the girl
and her lover had cleared the bridge
They stood breathless but safe upon
the descending slope.
What now?" questioned Franco Gu
riously.
I'VE shall see-so!"
Pepina had lifted the flower pot free
from her bosom, where it had nestled
She raised it aloft. He. vigorous arm
gave it fling.
1t landed directly In the middle oil
the bridge. That frail portion seemed
soldiers stood aghast, yiewing the gar
in the structure, yawning abyss be
meath.
"Quick-no delay!" ordered the spir
ited girl at the side of Sior Franco.
Some shots hurtled harmlessly o7el
their heads, but they were now dowr
the incline and out of range of theil
recent Ca2tors.
1.-THE flower pot?" began Franco
wonderingly.
1T served you as signal"
Eyes"
And my dead brother cherished /
not only for patriots flower. but be
cause within it he had hidden an ex
plosive projectile, ready for just al
emergency as this" explained Pepina
"And pursuit is blocked" criet
Franco hopefully.
by IL leagues to our friends" sub
mitted Pepina 1--WE must not linger o.