Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-06-04

oliclal message to you. Privately,
hoWever"-the speaker eyed O'Reilly
with a disconcerting expression-"I
would like to warn you. You are a
bright fellow, and you have way with
you-there's no denying it. Under
other conditions 1t would be pleas
ure to know you better. 1t grieves me,
therefore, to warn you that your fur
ther stay in Cuba will not be-pleas-
ant. l almost regret that there is no
conclusive evidence against you: it
would so simplify matters. Come, now.
hadn't you better acknowledge that |
have guessed your secret?"
O'Reilly's perplexity was changing
to dismay, for it seemed to him he
was being played with; nevertheless,
he shook his head. 81 would only be
deceiving you, SIR" he said.
General Antuna sighed. "Then
see embarrassments ahead for both of
u.s."
More arreSts?"
mot necessarily. Understand me T
speak as one gentleman to another
but-you must have noticed that Amer
leans are unpopular with our troops.
Eth? They are impulsive, these troop-
ers; accidents cannot be prevented
Suppose something should happen to
you? There is the trouble. You came
to Cuba to enjoy its climate: YOU cam
not be expected to remain indoors. OF
| course not. Well! Among our SOL
diers are many new recruits, patriotic,
enthusiastic young fellows, but-care-
less. they are wretchedly unproficient
marksmen, and they haven't learned
the danger of promiscuous rife fire.
Ihey are forever shooting at things.
merely to score hit Would Won he
lieve itP Oh, 1 have to discipline them
frequently. To think of you being
abroad through the streets, therefore.
worries me intensely. Suppose YOU
should be found dead some day. I'M
agine my feelings" The speakers
tone and expression were eloquent of
concern. "How could 1 fix the respon-
sibility|
by having me followed, as usual.
1 dare say" fO'Reilly said bitterly.
"Oh, you will of course be shadowed
day and night; in fact to be quite sure
of your-er-safety, 1 shall ask Won TO
permit one of my men 10 accompany
you everywhere and even to share vour
room. We shall try never to lose sight
of you, depend upon it. | wish Won
could find another climate equally ben
eficial to your rheumatism. 1t would
lift great load from my mind" The
speaker paused hopefully; that same
sardonic flicker was on his lips.
Johnnie could not summon an an
swering smile, for his heart was like
lead. He realized now the utter fulfill
ity of resistance; he knew that to
remain in Puerto Principe after this
thinly yelled warning would be to
court destruction-and destruction of
shocking character against which it
would be impossible to guard. After
a moment of thought he said grayely:
81 appreciate the delicacy of your
consideration, sir, and-I shall CO."
General Antuna leaped to his feet.
his grim face alight; striding TO
O'Reilly he pressed his hands--he
seemed upon the point of embracing
him. Il thank you!" he cried "You
render me a supreme service. See,
breathe easy. Permit me to offer you
refreshment-one of or. famous Span-
ish wines No? Then the best cigar
in all Cuba ~
O'Reilly was escorted to the railway
Station at daylight. He and Branch
took their seats and their guards filed
in behind them. He cursed sayagely:
the memory of these wasted weeks,
the narrow margin of his failure, filed
him with a sick feeling of dismay and
impotence.
In marked contrast to the difficulties
of entering Cuba was the ease of leav-
ing 1t. ship was sailing from Neuvi-
tas on the very afternoon when the
two Americans arrived, and they were
hurried aboard. Not until the anchor
was up did their military escort de-
part from them.
With angry, breeding ewes O'ReiIly
watched the white houses along the
water front dwindle away. the man.
grove swamps slip past. and the hills
rise out of their purple haze. Whea
the salt breath of the trades came to
his nostrflS he turned into his state
room, and, taking the crate of COCO
nuts with which General Antuna had
thOughtfully provided him. he bore it
TO the rail and dropped it overheard.
Rheumatism was a fool disease.
anyhow" he muttered.
Great news" ESteban Varona on.
nounced one day as he dismounted
after foraging trip into the Yumuri.
I'VE met some Of Lacret's men and
they told US that Spain has recalled
Captain General Campos. What do
you say to thatT"
Does that mean the end of the
WARP" Rosa eagerly inquired.
"0h, no. They have sent a new man
he's in Havana nova dark little
old fellow who never smiles. He has a
long nose and big chin; he dresses
all in black-a very .jew-bird' in an
pearance, from what / hear. His name
is Weyler-Valeriano Weyler, marouis
of Teneriffe"
Esteban covertly appraised his sis
ter's charms. but respecting her terror
of Cobo he did not speak his thoughts.
He was certain however thar Poe,