Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-06-11

With smile and a nod at Enriquez
she took O'Reilly's arm and bore him
away.
The days of idle waiting that fol-
lowed were trying, even to one of
O'Reflly's philosophical habit of mind.
He could learn nothing about the jun
ta's plans, and, owing to his complete
uncertainty, he was unable to get
work.
At last there came a message which
brought them great joy. Enriquez di-
rected them to be in readiness to leave
Jersey City at seven o'clock the follow
ing morning. Neither Johnnie nor Les
lie Branch slept much that night.
AS they waited in the huge, barnlike
station Enriquez appeared with Norine
Evans upon his arm. The girls color
was high; she was tremulous with ex-
citement. Leslie Branch, who saw her
for the first time, emitted low whistle
of surprise.
"Glory bel That goddess p he cried.
When Norine took his bony, blood
less hand in her warm grasp and
flashed him her frank, friendly smile,
he capitulated instantly.
Enriquez was introducing q new
conner now, one Major Ramos, a
square-jawed forceful Cuban, who, it
seemed, was to be in command of the
expedition.
my duties end here" Enriquez ex-
planned. Major Ramos will take
charge of you, and you must do ex-
actly as he directs. Ask no questions,
for he won't answer them. Good-by
and good luck"
When he had gone the three Ameri-
cans followed their new guide through
the iron gates.
Major Ramos proved that he knew
how to obey orders even though the
other members of his party did not.
He remained utterly deaf to Miss 'Ev-
ans entreatieS that he let her know
something about the plans of the ex-
pedition; he would not even tell her
where he was taking her, where the
other filibusters had assembled, or
from what port their ship would sail.
When Philadelphia, Washington, then
Baltimore, and finally Richmond were
left behind, Miss Evans was, in truth,
ready to explode, and her two compan-
ions were in a similar frame of mind
1t was not until the train was ap-
preaching Charleston that Major Ra-
mos finally announced: "This is the
end of our Journey; the other mem
bers of the expedition are here. But |
must ask you not to talk with them
or with any strangers, for our friends
are being watched by detectives in the
employ of the Spanish minister at
Washington and by United States dep
uty marshals. One little indiscretion
might ruin everything"
The hotel to which Major Ramos
led his guests appeared to be well
filled; there were many Cubans in the
lobby, and the air was heavy with the
aroma of their strong, black cigarettes.
AS the major entered they turned in
tereSted and expectant faces toward
him and they eyed his companions with
frank curiosity. Miss Evans became
the target for more than one warmly
admiring glance.
AS for O'Reilly, the familiar odor of
those Cuban cigarettes, the snatches of
Spanish conversation which he over
heard, awoke in him great excite
ment; he realized with an odd thrill
that these eager, dark-visaged men
were now his friends and comrades,
and that those Americans lettering
watchfully among them were his enc
mies-the spies of whom Ramos had
spoken. There were at least score of
the latter, and all were plainly
stamped with the distinctive marks of
their calling. That they, too, were in
terested in the latest arrivals was soon
made evident by their efforts to get
acquainted.