Meade County news., 1918-06-20

when the man with the gray necktie
raised his hat and wiped his brow az
he passed. the Isla de Cuba. Johnnie
could scarcely hold himself in his
chair. BY and by he rose, stretching
himself, and sauntered after the fell
low. For several, blocks he kept him
in sight, but without receiving any
further sign.
Without glance over his shoulder
the man turned into large, walled in
| closure. When Johnnie followed he
found hmself in one of the old ceme-
teries. Ahead of him, up a shady ave-
nue. bordered with trees, the stranger
hurried; then he swerved TO his left,
and when O'Rellly came to the point
where he had disappeared there was
nobody in sight. Apprehending that
he had made some mistake in the sig
nal, O'Reilly fastened down the walk.
Then at last, to his great relief, he
heard sibilant:
"Psstl Psstp
1t came from behind screen Of
shrubbery, and there he found the Gu
ban waiting. The latter began rap
idly:
"Our plans are complete. Listen
closely. One week from today, Mt ten
o'clock in the morning, you must be
in Manin's drug store. Directly across
the street you will see two negroes
with three horses. At fifteen minutes
past ten walk out San Rafael street to
the edge of the city, where the hos
pital stands. The negroes will follow
you. There is fort near by"
Il know"
ut commands the road. You will be
challenged If you pass 1t, so turn in
at the hospital. But do not enter the
gates, for the negroes win overtake
you at that point. They will stop to
adjust the saron of the lead horse.
That will be your signal; mount him
and ride fast. Now, adlos and good
luck"
With smile and quick grip of the
hand the messenger walked swiftly
away. O'Reiiiy returned " his hotel,
At last! One week, ana this numb
ing, heartbreaking delay would end;
he would be free to take up his quest.
But those seven days were more than
week; they were seven eternltles.
The hours were like lead; O'Reilly
could compose his mind to nothing; he
was In fever of impatience.
The day of days dawned at last, and
Johnnie was early at Manin's soda
fountain, drinking lnsipld beverages
and anxiously watching the street. In
due time the negroes appeared, their
straw sarons laden with produce which
they innocently disposed of. O'Reilly
began to consult his watch with such
frequency that the druggist joked him.
Manln's banter was interrupted by q
bugle call. Down the street came per
haps two hundred mounted troops.
They wheeled into San Rafael street
at gallop and disappeared In the d.
rectlon Of the suburbs.
"Now, what does that meanT muir
INJURED the druggist. "Wait here while
go to the roof, where can see some
thing"
0'Rellly tried to compose himself,
meanwhile becoming aware Of grow
ing excitement in the street. Then
from the direction of the fort at the
end of San Rafael street sounded
faint rafting fuslllade, more bugle
calls, and finally the thin, distant
shouting of men. 4
"Rebels" someone cried.
'Dios milo, they are attacking the
city!"
"They have audaclty, eh2"
The roofs were black with people
now. Manin came hurrying down into
the store.
Something has gone wrong" he
whispered. "They're fighting out yon-
der In the woods. There has been
some treachery."
at is ten-fifteen," said O'Reilly. ~
must be going"
Manin stared at him. "You don't
understand"
"rhose black. fellows are getting
their horses ready. Pm going"
The druggist tried to force Johnnie
into a chair. "Madmani" he painted.
"I tell you our friends have been be-
trayed; they are retreatlng. Go back
to your hotel quickly"
For the first time during their ac-
quaintance ManIn heard the good
natured American curse; O'Rellly's
blue eyes were blazing; he had let go
of himself completely.
I'm goingl" he cried, hoarsely. "All
the ID Spaniards in Cuba won't
stop me. Lord I've waited too long
1 should have made break"
"Idiotp stormed the druggist. "You
wish to die, eh2
O'Reilly ripped out another oath
and fought Off the others restraining
hands.
"very well, then," cried Manin, but
have some thought of us who have
risked our lives for you Suppose you
should escape2 How would our troops
receive you now7 Would they not
think you had cunningly arranged this
trap2"
A light Of reason slowly reappeared
In the younger mans eyes.