Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-10-17
FOURTEENTH EPISODE
Border Peril.
DAYBREAK.


In the library of the Claiming
hacienda lights burned late into the
night Round a great oaken table in
the middle of the room some ten per-
sons sat in conference. The surface
of the table was strewn with maps and
papers-the former large-scale and
minutely detailed typographical maps
of the Claiming properties and the adj
jacent country, both north and south
of the border.
A council of war was in progress.
Something after midnight it drew to-
ward its conclusion. A hush of
thoughtful silence settled down upon
the gathering, Patria and Donald Parr
and their aides-those commanding
the several divisions of Patria's little
force of atchmen"-mentally re-
viewing what had been said, recon-
ming point by point such instructions
as had been issued and the course of
action which had been agreed upon.
1t was vitality important that moth
Ing should be neglected, forgotten, or
overlooked
This business to which they were
committed was SO desperate, their
hopes for its success so meager and
forIorn, that the little company of pa
triotic Adventures dared neglect no
least item Of preeaution.
According to reliable information q
great army was marching to invade
the soil Of the United States-an army
made up of the allied forces of Mexi-
co and japan which had for so long
been encamped in the Businesses of
the hills Immediately south of the
border. awaiting TokiU's word to ad-
vance.
To-day apparently, that word had
been spoken; 1t was kI own that the
allied troops had broken camp and
were in motion toward tLe border
And it needed only most super
fetal examination of the maps on the
table to demonstrate that the one
feasible path of invasion lay through
the Charming properties.
And the forces which Patria had
gathered together to oppose this long
threatened invasion were SO pitifully
Outnumbered that their sole hope of
surviving lay in the thoroughness of
their preparations; only courage that
held life thing Of little moment
guided by cool-headed intelligence of
the highest order could render effec-
tive the plans these few had made to
surprise, outwlt, and repel the invad-
erS.
The shrilling of the telephone bel.
interrupted the silence. Parr took up
the instrument, spoke briefly into 1t,
and handed it to Patria.
"a telegram for you" he said.
The girl listened attentively to what
was communicated to her by the tele-
graph operator at the nearest railroad
station. some twenty miles away. then
thanked him and coolly hung up.
Washington" she said, "acknowl.
edglng my wire warming them of this
invasion. There will be an investiga-
ton ordered Immediately. and if my
information proves well-founded
troops will be sent"
Nothing could be fairer than that
Parr commented grimly.
Il think" said Patria to the com
pany 1--WE have said all that could be
said tonight. We all know our duties
The Instructions you have received are
not subject TO change except in emer-
gcncy-and then You must rely upon
your wits TO save yourselvcs-and the
rest of US. Now let us adjourn. anG
If we can, get a little sleep"
There was general movement OF
chairs being pushed back from the
table. The men rose. and waited il
little groups while one after another
went to say goodnight to Patria. Sh,
shook the hand Of each, and Donalt
did likewise There were few word,
spoken-but the handclasps were firm
and significant.
These were possibly their last fare
wells. This unuttered thought in
formed every mind. Dawn would fint
each at his post. Where sunset ShOult
find them. none dared guess.
one by one they went their way
into The night. At length Patr.a wa
G,one with Donald parr He turne'