The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-07-18


when the man with the gray necktis
rnised his hat and wiped his brow as
he passed the Isia de Cuba. Johnnie
could scarcely hold himself In his
chair. BY and by he rose, stretching
himself, and sauntered after the fel.
low. For several blocks he kept him
In sight. but without receiving any
further sign.
without a glance over his shoulder
the man turned into large. walled In
closure. When Johnnie followed he
found Mmself in one Of the old ceme-
teries. Ahead Of him, up shady ave
nue. bordered with trees. the stranger
hurried; then he swerved 70 his left,
and when O'Reilly came to the point
where he had disappeared there was
nobody in sight. Apprehending that
he had mnde some mistake In the sig
nal, OReilly FASTENED down the walk.
Then at last. to his great relief, he
heard n sibllant:
"Psst! Psst!"
II 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, at 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 q fort near by"
II know"
at commands the road. You will be
challenged II you pass It, SO turn in
Mt the hospital. But do not enter the
gates. for the negroes win overtake
you Mt that point. They will stop to
adjust the saron of the lead horse.
That will be your signal; mount him
and ride fast. Now, adios and good
luck"
With smile and q quick grip Of the
hand the messenger walked swiftly
away. O'Reiiiy returned - sls hotel.
At last! One week, ana This numb
ing, heartbreaking delay would end; I;
he would be free to take up his quest.
But those seven days were more thnn
a week: they were seven eternities.
| 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 Manip's soda
fountain. drinking insipid beverages
and anuously watching the street. In
due tine 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.
Manin's banter was interrupted by
| bugle call. Down the street came per.
haps two hundred mounted troops.
They wheeled into San Rafael street
at a gallop and disappeared In the d.
rection Of the suburbs.
'Now. what does that meant" mur.
INJURED the druggist. "Wait here while
I go to the roof, where can see some
thing"
| O'Reilly 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 a
faint rafting fusillade. more bugle
calls, and finally the thin, distant
shouting Of men.
'Rebels!" !" someone cried.
"Dios milo, they are attacking the
city"
'They have audacity, ehf"
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."
ut is ten-fifteen," said O'Reilly. "
must be going"
Manin stared at him. "You don't
understand"
"Those black fellows are getting
their horses ready. I'm going"
The druggist tried to force Johnnie
into chair. "Madman!" he painted
~ tell you our friends have been be
trayed; they are retreating. ca back
to Your hotel quickly"
For the first time during their nc.
quaintance Manin heard the good
natured American curse; O'Reilly's
blue eyes were blazing; he had let &c
Of himself completely.
I'm going" he cried. hoarsely. "All
the id Spaniards In Cuba won't
stop me. Lord I've waited too long
I should have made a break"
"Idiot!" stormed the druggist. "You
wish to die, ehf"
O'Reilly ripped out another oath
and fought of the others restraining
hands.
every well. then" cried Manin, 'oui
have some thought Of US who have
risked our lives for you. Suppose you
should escapef How would our troops
receive you now? Would they moi