Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-02-05

bpedh Will uI. 11OllOu d1Ouo
Holton said nothing. but waited
while the two. thus ad1ured. moved
into the bushes out of earshot.
"Mr. Holton," she said then. with
a little catch in her voice. II don't
know why l am doing this, but 1t 10
because l believe in you and In your
country"
You are justified. am sure, in be-
lieving in both me and my country.
replied Holton.
II am sure of 1t. Tonight. Mr.. Hol-
ton, at Sevilla, in the building which
my brother pointed out to you-he did
point 1t out. as l asked him to. did
he not?"
YES" nodded Holton. ''he pointed
1t out"
"In that building" she continued.
tonight. there is to be q meeting of
officers high in the Cuban army. at
which an immediate outbreak against
the soldiers of the United States will
be discussed"
Holton started.
"Garcia-will he be there?" he
asked.
Garcia will not be there. nor Rabd,
nor Castillo"
Holton laughed.
Then" he declared. "the meeting
| will not amount to much"
do not be fooled" was the warm
rejoinder. sit will amount to q great
deal. You know-or do you?-the
condition of your army. Sickness In
beginning"
| "Yes, but a majority are we'll. and
/ a. - -
ish army. for l have been in Santiago.
I myself have informed General Shat
ter that Toral can muster at most not
more than twelve thousand men. II
that"
| "Yes, yes," she responded. tapping
her foot impatiently. Il do not come
here to argue. Mr.. Holton. tell you
only this: Toral has not surrendered.
because he knows OF the threatened
revolt OF the Cubans against your
men. He is waiting for that to hap
pen, and will take what advantage
may be gained from the result. This
may be serious. There are six thou
sand Cubans Immediately upon the
field. Their attack upon the Ameri-
can flank, coupled with the attack of
the Spaniards upon the front. will
drive your countrymen to the sea-"
Holton shook his head. "Why. Miss
La Tossa, this deed is suicide for
your country. It can mean but one
thing-the wiping out of the Span
iards and the Cubans. and In the end
the very colonization you dread. For
II this happens I cannot see but the
United States will have the best sort
l oh0p haf ho Io nj
thing of which you are capable 10
self-government."
THAT is true" she agreed. "I have
come to realize It. l had been led
astray In my views. But now. thanks
to you-and to others-I see more
clearly"
He looked at her face. dim in the
darkness.
And that is why you wished to
see me?"
Not altogether" she replied.
well. you must hurry. because I
wish to say something to you. too. "
he reminded her.
The girl moved impatiently toward
him. ITO night wish to ask you
what should do about the meeting.
alone OF those not In the conspiracy
know of It. What shall l do? Shall
I send word to General Garcia? 1s
1t better that you should inform
Shafter-"
Holton interrupted.
mo, no, not Shafter," he cried. THE
Americans must take no action that
might precipitate any sort Of fight
:, with the Cubans."
well. Garcia then?"
"A fight with the Cuban ranks
would be almost as bad"
THAT is true. What them"
Holton thought a moment Then he
looked up.
Il will go to the meeting" he an
nounced.
you! 1t is impossible. An Ameri-
can officer! No. 1t cannot bel"
Then, what?" Holton's voice was
impatient.
He took from his pocket the cable
dispatch from Washington.
81 have here" he resumed, "a mes
sage from President Mckinley tc Gen.
eral Shafter, sent him at my request
II read at the meeting 1t should not
be without effect"
He quoted to her the contents. She
seized the paper and kissed 1t. Then
she stamped her foot as sudden
thought took possession Of her mind.
II have it," she cried. II will go
to the meeting myself. And I shall
take this dispatch with me-"