The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1916-08-11

regarded him in the same light. For
some reason unknown to him she
seemed to look upon him with a sort
of dread One day he said to her:
"Senorita, you and your father have
some interest in wishing me to sup
port the Spanish government To con-
vince you that you can safely confide
in me l will tell you something which
you do not suspect. l love you. Tell
me the source of your efforts to con-
vert me to a cause that you not ap-
prove. l swear to you not only on the
honor of a gentleman, but as one who
loves you, that | will not betray you;
that if either you or your father or
must suffer it shall be l."
Rosa at this avowal gave a quick
gasp, and an expression of pain cross
ed her face
you have only added to the COM
plication that besets us ALL" she said.
IF could assure you that your love
was returned it might simplify mat
tiers, for we might then come to mu-
tual understanding. AS 1t is, to tell
you what threatens us would be to in
vite a sacrifice on your part without
being able to reward you for making
It, If you have seen anything In me
to warrant your avowal you have been
mistaken"
II have seen nothing to warrant an
ayowal, and am not surprised to re-
ceive an unfavorable response. | have
made my confession that you may I'M
derstand that you have nothing to fear
from me-that my life is at your serv-
ice.'
Naturally these words had power
full effect upon Rosa Molina. She fix
ed her gaze on the speaker with an ex-
preston that it was difficult for him
to interpret. 1t seemed to be n min
Cling of awe and reverence. But there
was no love in it, After thus looking
intently at him for a few moments she
said:
Leave me to think over all this. So
many strange things have followed
upon one another so closely that | am
bewildered.''
Meanwhile Senior Molina was acting
irrespective of anything that was TAX
ing place between these two. Weyler
had become impatient and given him
definite and imperative order. One
morning Molina summoned Fernandez
into his private room and said to him:
"Senor, the government demands
your influence and your efforts to as
sist in putting down this rebellion
against the authority of the king of
Spain"
And what If l refuse?" !
You will pass into the hands of the |
governor general. cannot answer for
your life"
You can answer for my death. |
Those who go into General Weyler's |
parlors never come out. You have nv
reply. Long live Cuba and Cuban in
With this Fernandez turned to leave I
the apartment. Molina stopped him.
"You cannot leave this house."
"Why not?"
ut Is surrounded by Spanish SOL
tliers."
Fernandez paused. He had been has
ty in giving definite answer.
Am l to be taken from here imme-
iiately?" he asked.
Unless you recall your reply"
Give me time"
MY instructions are to require an
answer within twenty-four hours"
Very well. Before tomorrow noon
will choose between life for Spain
'r death for Cuba"
The Spanish fleet had been DESTROYED.
santiago had fallen. Cuban independ-
nee had been achieved. Sufficient time
lad elapsed for the Pearl of the An
lilies to become the pearl of her own
eople. Enrique Fernandez was now
judge on the bench. Quite often 1t
vas his duty to pass upon matter
rising from the antagonism existing
ctween Cuban liberators and Spanish
dherents during the revolution. AL
IAN whose hair was prematurely white
ias brought before the Judge on a {
barge Of having legally executed s
ian by order of the king of Spain.
he culprit was supported by his
aughter. who was doing all In her
over to encourage him.
lose Molina" said the Judge, do y
on remember me?' c
II do" II
when last we met you demanded
~ support of the Spanish cause or
~ life. l was given a day in which
arrive at final decision The de- n
sion was not given. for that night | v
'caped from your house. You were
nly partly to blame for these acts of
'ranny, for you were the unwilling <
'ol of the tyrant. You gave me my c.
loice between Spain and death, and "
ct l am under great obligation to
ou. not to you directly. but through
member of your family"
The prisoner stood waiting for the
ldge to explain.
1T Is to your daughter that you owe
e life that I am about to give you. or
r it was she who provided for me
e means of escape from your home. Of
hat / owe to her l give to you. Go pt
ee. We have had enough of these to
prisals since the revolution. will Sc
ar no more of them" TO
Then, turning to Rosa Molina, the a.
dye cOntinuad.