The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1918-07-05

in our own WAY; we will tolerate no
foreign interference. War is never n
pleasant thing but you journalists
have magnified its horrors and mis-
represented the cause of Spain until
you threaten to bring on another and
q more horrible combat Now, then.
you understand what / mean when |
say that you are more dangerous than
Il powder expert; that your pen can
do more injury. can cause the death
of more Spanish troops than could It
regiment of Americans with dynamite
Your English friend makes no secret
of his business, so we shall escort him
to Neuyitas and see him safely ont 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'Reilly
with dSconcerting expression-"I
would like 10 warn you. You are Il
bright fellow. and you have way with
you-there's no denying it. Under
{ pNAANI NphNiAioliN II NOuIu ne DltuS-
ure to know you better. 1t grieves 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. II
would so simplify matters. Come, now,
hadn't you better acknowledge that |
have guessed your secret?"
OReilly's perplexity was changing
to dismay, for Il seemed to him he
was being played with; nevertheless,
he shook his head. Il would only be
deceiving YOU. sir" he said
General Antuna sighed. "Then |
see embarrassments ahead for both of
us"
More arrestS?'
Not necessarily. Understand me. |
speak as one gentleman to another.
but-you must have noticed that Amer
leans are unpopular with our troops.
Ehf 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 unproficient
marksmen, and they haven't learned
the danger of promiscuous rifle fire.
They are forever shooting at things,
merely to score a 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. In
agne my feelings" The speakers
tone and expression We're eloquent of
concern. How could l fix the respon-
siblity?"
"By having me followed. as usual,
dare say. O,Reilly said bitterly.
'Oh, you will of course be Swallowed
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 it. ] wish YOU
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 fulfil
lty of resistance; he knew that to
remain in Puerto Principe after this
thinly yelled warning would be to
court destruction-and destruction Of
a shocking character against which II
would be impossible to guard After
moment of thought he said grnveiy :
II appreciate the delicacy of your
consideration, sir, and-I shall go"
General Antuna leaped to his feet.
his grim face aight; striding to
OReilly. he pressed his hands-he
seemed upon the point of embracing
him. II thank you" he cried. You
render me Il supreme service. See. |
breathe easy. Permit me to offer You
refreshment-one of our 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 savagely :;
the memory of these wasted weeks,
the narrow margin of his failure. filled
him with sick feeling of dismay and
impotence.
In marked contrast to the difficulties
of entering Cuba was the ease of ieav-
ing it. A 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, brooding eyes O'Reilly
watched the white houses along the
water front dwindle away, the man.