Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-10-18

terests Of my country than-well, than
a score of dynamite experts. I 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.
clined 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 exaggerations, the men
dacities, that have gone forth from
here to your newspapers. We are de-
termined to put down this uprising
in u 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
a more horrible combat. Now, then,
you understand what I mean when l
say that you are more dangerous than
q 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"
sand yet you permit me to remain p
Johnnie was surprised.
"For the present, yes! That is my
official message to you. Privately,
however"-the speaker eyed O'Reilly
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 1t. Under
other conditions It would be a pleas
ure to know you better. 1t grieves me,
therefore, to warn you that your fur
Their stay in Cuba will not be-pleas-
ant. I almost regret that there is no
conclusive evidence against you; It
would so simplify matters. Come. now,
hadn't you better acknowledge that I
have guessed your secret7"
O'Reilly's perplexity was changing
to dismay, for it 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 arrests?"
mot necessarily. Understand me,
speak as n 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
your 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 %unprofcient
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 lit Oh, l 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. How could l fix the respon-
sibility?"
"By having me followed, as usual,
I 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, 1 shall ask you to
permit n 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. I wish you
could find another climate equally ben
efcial to your rheumatism. 1t would
lift a great load from my mind" The
speaker paused hopefully; that same
sardonlc 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
ity Of resistance; he knew that to
remain in Puerto Principe after this
thlnly yelled warning would be to
court destruction-nnd destruction OF
a shocking character against which 1t
would be impossible to guard. After