Mexico Missouri message., 1918-06-20

| 10 Oe Iar greater menace to the In
terests Of my country than-well, than
a score Of dynamite experts. believe
you are a writer"
The American smiled. "Are writer's
such dangerous people?"
"That altogether depends upon cir
cumstances. The United States is in
cllned to recognize the belligerency Of
these Cuban rebels, and her relations
with Spain are becoming daily more
strained; ill-feeling grows, and all be-
cause Of the exaggeratlons, the men
dacities, that have gone forth from
here to your newspapers. We are de-
termined to put down this uprising
In our own way; we will tolerate no
foreign interference. War Is never a
pleasant thing, but you journalists
have magnified Its horrors and mis-
represented the cause of Spain until
you threaten to bring on another and
more horrible combat. Now, then,
you understand what 1 mean when l
say that you are more dangerous than
powder expert; that your pen can
do more injury, can cause the death
of more Spanish troops than could a
regiment of Americans with dynamite.
Your English friend makes no secret
of his business, so we shall escort him
to Neuvitas and see him safely out of
the country, once for ALL"
"And yet you permit me to remain?"
Johnnie was surprised.
"For the present, yes! That is my
official message to you. Privately
however"-the speaker eyed O'Rellly
with a disconcerting expression-"I
would like to warn you. You are a
bright fellow, and you have a way with
you-there's no denying II. Under
other conditions 1t would be a pleas
ure to know you better. 1t grleves me,
therefore, to warn you that your fur
ther stay In Cuba will not be-pleas-
ant 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?"
OReilly's perplexity was changing
to dismay, for 1t seemed to him he
was being played with; nevertheless,
he shook his head. II would only be
deceiving you, sir" he said.
General Antuna sighed. "Then
see embarrassments ahead for both of
u.s."
"More arrestsT"
"Not necessarily. Understand me,
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 can
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 unproflcient
marksmen, and they haven't learned
the danger of promiscuOus rifle fire.
They are forever shooting at things
merely to score hit. Would you be-
lieve It? Oh, 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. Glow could 1 fix the respon-
slbillty?"
"By having me followed, as usual,
dare say" o'Reilly said bitterly.
"Oh, you will Of course be shadowed
day and night; in fact, to be quite sure
of your-er-safety, shall ask you to
permit one of my men to accompany
you everywhere and even to share your
room. We shall try never to lose sight
Of you, depend upon 1t. 1 wish you
could find another climate equally ben
eticial 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
swerlng smile, for his heart was like
lead. He realized now the utter fulfil
ity Of resistance; he knew that to
remain In Puerto Principe after this
thinly yelled warning would be to
court destructlon-and destruction OF
shocking character against which II
would be impossible to guard. After