The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-08-02

MAY I ask, general, II there Is any
change in you and Sonora Munez as to
my union with Inez?"
There is not"
every WELL l will retire to my room
now."
The general led the way to the Sec
Ond floor, all the rooms Of which open
ed on q court Throwing open the door
to one of these rooms, the general set
the candle he held on the bureau and.
bidding his guest good night. leet him
Coral was puzzled. The general had
assured him that his devotion to lnez
had nothing to do with the manner OF
his reception. What. then, could it
mean? He was at q loss to form any
theory. He went to bed, but could
not sleep for thinking Of solution.
He expected to arise at 8 o'clock and
ride to the city before 8. At 10 o'clock
he heard the sound Of horses hoofs
on the road. They grew more distinct,
approaching the house, and stopped
before it. Coral heard what sounded
like the clank of saber.
In ten minutes the conner rode away,
but within half an hour another horse
man came and went as the other had
done. Up to midnight five or six per
sons visited the house. Coral heard
them come and CO. but nothing more.
Something surely was brewing. He
began to get sleepy, but preferred not
to go to sleep. To prevent his doing
so he left his bed and sat by a win
dow. The room was chilly, and he put
on some of his clothing.
On a rise in the ground several miles
distant he saw a light. 1t was bon
fire. On another summit was another.
He counted five Of these fires within
view. What did they mean?
A faint light appeared In the east.
A few minutes later Coral saw flash
through the keyhoe of his door. Co
Ing to the door, he opened 1t just far
enough to look out He saw Inez with
candle in her hand at the foot of
staircase leading up to a square tower
built at the corner Of the house. He
had often been up there and knew that
there was a ladder in it giving access
to the roof.
Inez ascended the stairs. Coral
emerged from his room, ran around
the court and followed her, overtak-
ing her in the room that constituted
the tower. So stealthily did he move
that she did not know Of his presence
till she stood at the foot Of the ladder
leading to the roof, when she felt her
self clasped by a pair Of arms. Turn
ing her head, she saw her lover.
What are you going to do?" he ask
ed In a whisper.
He partly unloosed her, and her head
sank upon his breast.
How unfOrtunate!
what Is unfOrtunate?'
Your coming at this time"
"Inez," he said sternly. something
is wrong. You are doing the work Of
General Munez. Choose now between
him and me, once and forever"
II am obliged to choose you. can
not do what he requires of me without
your permission, and when you know
my intention you will prevent me-"
Then followed a confession which
amazed Coral more than his frigid re-
ception, but explained it. General
Munez was at the head of troops who
Wnra RI houiu thoir r,,oroh IN tho oop
ital at dawn to assassinate the presi-
dent and seize the government. The
insurgents were scattered. Each group
had kindled fire as signal that it
was ready and waiting. General Munez
had gone to a point Of rendezvous to
take command. He had exacted a
promise from Inez that she would at
dawn show a light on the tower Of
his residence as signal for the differ
ent bodies to converge at the point
where they would find him.
Having received the confession, Cor.
al bethOught himself what to do.
"Inez." he said presently, you have
kept your word with your benefactor
against your lover, so far as you are
able. will not permit you to give the
signal Promise me that you will go
to your room and remain there, taking
no further part In this matter. | will
set out at once for the capital and
warn the president. Do as l say, and
l promise you that no action shall be
taken against General Munez Without
the signal the revolution will collapse.
The president will ignore it."
This proposition accorded with Inez's
! desires. She had been bitterly oppos
ed to movement which, having been
| concocted in the house where she lived
she was necessarily cognizant of. II
successful it would make breach be
tween her and her lover; II it failed
General Munez would suffer death
She made the promise.
But you will not get through" she
added. "All the roads leading to the
capital are picketed, the guards being
instructed to pass no one without the
countersign."
What is the countersign?"
She hesitated for a moment, ther
said, "Since the revolution cannot be
| 1ed