Mexico Missouri message., 1918-06-13

ne passed the Is!a de Cuba. SaaHnie
could scarcely hold himself In his
chair. BY and by he rose, stretching
himself, and saunteVed after the fell
low. For several blocks he kept him
In sight but without receiving any
further sign.
the man turned into large, walled in
closure. When Johnnie followed he
found himself in one Of the old ceme-
teries. Ahead Of him, up q shady ave
nue. bordered with trees, the stranger
hurried; then he swerved to his left,
and when O'Reilly 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 hastened down the walk.
Then at last, to his great relief, he
heard a sibilant:
"Pssti Psst ~
1t came from behind a 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 Manln'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 a fort near by"
81 know"
"It commands the road. You will be
challenged If you pass it, so turn in
at the hospital. But do not enter the
gates, for the negroes will 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, adios and good
luck"
With a smile and quick grip Of the
hand the messenger walked swiftly
away. O'Reilly returned to his hotel.
At last! One week, and 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 eternities.
could compose his mind to nothing; he
was in a fever of impatience.
The day of days dawned at last, and
Johnnie was early at Manin's soda
fountain, drinking insipid 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.
Manin's banter was interrupted by a
bugle call. Down the street came per-
haps two hundred mounted troops.
They wheeled into San Rafael street
at gailop and disappeared in the d.
rection of the suburbs.
"Now, what does that meanT MUIR
INJURED the druggist. "Wait here while
1 go to the roof, where can see some
thing"
O'Reilly tried to compose himself,
meanwhile becoming aware Of a grow
ing excitement In the street. Then
from the direction of the fort at the
end of San Rafael street sounded
calls, and finally the thin, distant
shouting of men.
"Rebels" someone cried.
"Dios mio, they are attacking the
cityw
"They have audacity, eh7"
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."
'It is ten-fifteen," said O'Rellly. ~
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 q chair. "Madman" he painted.
81 tell you cur friends have been be-
trayed; they are retreating. Go back
to your hotel quickly"
For the first time during their ac-
quaintance Manin heard the good
natured American curse; O'Reillys
blue eyes were blazing; he had let 30
of himself completely.
"I'm going" he cried, hoarsely. "Al
the id Spaniards in Cuba won't
stop me. Lord I've waited too long
I should have made break"
"Idiotr stormed the druggist. "YOu
wish to die, ehT'
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
trap7"
A light of reason slowly reappeared
In the younger mans eyes.
| sAJo ~ Jantu nraSSad hia adVaufa 90