The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-08-01

She executed a dance step. pirOu-
cited around the room, then pumped
herself down into her chair She rat
tied her cup and saucer nOisily. cry
ing, Fill them up. Doctor Gloom.
Let's drink to Cuba Libre."
Johnnie managed to smile as he
raised his demi-taSse. Here's to my
success as chaperon," said he. I'm
disliked by the Spaniards, and now
the Cubans will hate me. 1 can see
happy days ahead"
O'Reilly arose early the next morn
ing and hurried down TO the office OF
the junta, hoping that he could con-
vince Mr. Enriquez of the folly OF al
lowing NOrine Evans to have her way
But his respect for Miss Evans energy
and initiative deepened when, on arriv-
ing at So New street, he discovered
that she had fOrestalled him and was
even then clOseted with the man he
had come to see. Johnnie waited I'M
easily; he was dismayed when the girl
finally appeared, with Enriquez in tow,
for the mans face was radiant
ITS all settled" she announced. at
sight of O'ReilIy. I've speeded them
up"
You're an early riser" the latter re-
marked. 81 hardly expected"
Enriquez broke in "Such enthusi-
asml Such ardorI She whirls u per
son Oft his feet"
"It seems that the Junta lacks
money for another expedition. so I've
made up the deficit. Wen be of in
week.
Really? Then you're actually
gOing?"
'Of course Don't be hateful. and
you're born chaperOn." Miss Evans
exclaimed. Comet Make up your
mind TO endure me- And now you're
going to help me buy my tropical out
fit"
With smile and Il 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'Reilly'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 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 tremuIous with ex-
element Leslie Branch. who saw her
for the first time, emitted a low whistle
of surprise.
GLORY be, That goddess :" 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 a new
conner now, one Major Ramos, a
square-jawed forceful Cuban, who, it
| seemGd, 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-
| petition 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 I
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
filed 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
adniring glance
As for O'Reilly. the familiar odor of
those Cuban cigarettes. the snatches of
Spanish conversation which he over
heard, awOke in him a 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
watchfulIy among them were his enc
mies-the spies Of whom Ramos had
spoken. There were at least a 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 ge.