The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-08-02
THE SIGNAL
A Story of Revolution
In Mexico
By F. A. mitchell


to Quintares. and it was supposed by
that people Of many governments that
they would be permitted to continue at
peace and to recover from the effects
Of anarchy.
But no one can tell what is about to
happen In Mexico. In that country a
revolution is liable at any time to fash
like lightning from a clear sky.
One afternoon Manuel Coral, a neph-
ew and the secretary Of the presi-
dent, rode into the country a distance
Of q dozen miles to the residence Of
General Munez. whose title had come
from his once having commanded a
band of revolutionists. But Coral was
not going to see the general. Inez
Garcia, the daughter of a former pres
ident of Mexico who had been deposed
and garroted. being without means of
support had been taken into the Munez
family and made governess to the gen.
erals children Manuel Coral had met
her and fallen in love with her.
The young man reached the Munez
hacienda as the sun was setting and
rode up between an avenue Of trees
to the house. The general was sitting
on his veranda. Coral threw himself
from his horse, turned the beast over
to dusky stableman and advanced to
meet the general To his surprise the
visitor saw under an assumed cordial
1ty partially concealed antagonism.
The general seemed to be displeased
at his coming. His previous visits had
been welcomed by the host. and the
visitor had every reason to presume
that his attentions to Senorita Inez
were approved by the general and his
family. Their approval was a matter
of Importance, for the young lady owed
them much and was treated more like
one Of them than hireling. Manuels
first thought was that for some reason
unknown to him they had withdrawn
their consent for match between him
and their protegee.
You will find Inez within,' said the
general after placing his hand coldly
In that Of Manuel "She is arranging
flowers for the table. OF course you
VIII sup With us.
Manuel went into the house, meeting
Sonora Munez in the hall. She started
on seeing him and knit her brows; then
resuming her usual cordial manner she
welcomed him, called lnez from the
dining room, and the visitor and the
senorita passed into the drawing room
1nez, If she did not appear discOm-
posed at his coming, seemed troubled.
something is wrong, sweetheart" "
said Manuel. "The general received
me with, to say the least. embarrass.
ment. Sonora Munez was startled at
seeing me. and you do not greet me as
usual. Tell me what it all means"
Inez was silent for moment, then
made a reply that Coral knew was a
prevarication.
Don't you think you are exaggerat-
ing the want of cordiality Of your re-
ceptiOn? The general and Sonora Mu-
nez may have something annoying on
their minds that renders the presence
of a visitor in the house just at present
inconvenient to them"
Manuel studied her face, which was
half averted. for few moments and
made up his mind that something was
on hand which might be important.
something that he should know. He
resolved to conceal his suspicion.
81 can very well understand such a
situation" he said. "Unlucky the hosts
as well as the visitor who comes at an
inopportune time. But, now | am here
we must all make the best Of 1t. My
ride from the city has given me an ap.
petite, and the general has invited me
to supper. If find later in the even.
ing that my presence is annoying
will go back to the city. 1t is a two
hour ride and there are cutthroats on
the way, but will not force myself
| upon those who do not wish my com
pany."
, At the mention of his riding over O
road that was infested by robbers Ine7
clung to him, appearing much disturb
ed. But she said nothing. and in an
other moment supper was announced.
After the meal Coral and his sweet
heart were again permitted to occupy
the parlor together. Manuel did no,
refer again to the want Of cordiality
with which he had been received. Al
8 O'Clock he arose to go. Inez seemed
disturbed, but did not invite him to re
main. Passing into the hall, the gen
eral came out Of a room opposite Il
meet him.
You are not going to the city to
night?" said Munez.
Certainly. why notT
Better remain here. insist upol
1t. 1 should not forgive myself II 70,
should meet with trouble on the way
"What trouble?"
Never mind that We have a room
for you, and l shall expect you to oc
cupy it."
This was spoken not In a tone of In
vitation. but of command. Coral wa.
more surprised than ever. Something
was surely in the wind.
VERY well, general. Since you in
sist upon my remaining 1 will do so
But the president will be In his offic,
early in the morning That means tina
his secretary must be there early Also
"In that case you had better go {,