Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1919-10-28


visionai government of Cuba, through
its New York representatives, extends
| TO Miss Norine Evans an invitation to
visit its temporary headquarters in the
Sierra de - something-or-other. and
deems 1t an honor to have her as its
guest so long as she wishes TO remain
there. Now then, let's celebrate.Y
! She, executed a dance step. pirou-
! cited around the room, then pumped
| herself down into her chair. She rat
tied her cup and saucer noisily, cry
Ing, "FiIl them up, Doctor Gloom.
Let's drink to Cuba Libre."
Johnnie managed to smile as he
raised his demi-tasse. Here's to my
success as chaperon." said he. "Tm
disliked by the Spaniards, and now
the Cubans win hate me. / can see
happy days ahead"
O'Reilly arose early the next morn
/ ing and hurried down to the Office of
/ the junta. hoping that he could con-
vince Mr.. Enriquez Of the folly of al
lowing Norine Evans to have her way.
But his respect for Miss Evans energy
and initiative deepened when, on arriv-
ing at Sc New street. he discovered
that she had forestalled him and was
even then closeted with the man he
! had come TO see. Johnnie waited I'M
| easily; he was dismayed when the girl
finally appeared, with Enriquez in tow,
/ for the mans face was radiant.
'Its all settled" she announced, at
sight of O'Reilly. ave speeded them
up"
you're an early riser" the latter re
marked. 81 hardly expected"
/ Enriquez broke in. "Such enthusi-
asml Such ardori She whirls a per-
son off his feet"
sit seems that the Junta lacks
money for another expedition, so I've
made up the deficit. Wen be off In
q week"
"Really? Then you're actually
going?"
''Of course. Don't be hateful. and
argumentative, or I'll begin to think
you're a born chaperon," Miss Evans
exclaimed. "Come! Make up your
mind to endure me. And now you're
going to help me buy my tropical out.
fit"
With a smile and a nod at Enriquez
she took ORellly's arm and bore him
away.
The days of idle waiting that fol
lowed were trying, even to one of
O'Reilly's philosophical habit of mind
! He could learn nothing about the jun
| ta's plans, and, owing to his complete
uncertainty, he was unable to get
| work.
! At last there came message which
brought them great joy. Enriquez di-
| rected them to be in readiness to leave
Jersey City at seven O'Clock the follow
/ ing morning. Neither johnnie nor Les
| lie Branch slept much that night.
AS they waited in the huge, barnlike
station Enriquez appeared with Norine
| Evans upon his arm. The girls color
/ was high; she was tremulous with ex-
element. Leslie Branch, WHO saw her
/ for the first time, emitted low whistle
of surprise.
"Glory be! That goddess !" he cried.
| When Norine took his bony, blood
less hand in her warm grasp and
| flashed him her frank, friendly smile,
be capitufated instantly.
| Enriquez was introducing new
conner now, one Major Ramos,
! square jawed forceful Cuban, who, 1t
| seemed, was to be in command of the
expedition.
"My duties end here" Enriquez ex-
planned. "Major Ramos will take
charge of you, and you must do ex.
actly as he directs. Ask no questions,
for he won't answer them. Good-by
and good luck"
When he had gone the three Ameri.
cans followed their new guide through
! the iron gates.
Major Ramos proved that he knew
how to obey orders even though the
other members of his party did not.
He remained utterly deaf to Miss Ev-
ans entreaties that he let her know
something about the plans Of the ex-
petition; he would not even tell her
where he was taking her, where the
other filibusters had assembled, or
from what port their ship would SAIL
When Philadelphia, Washington, then
Baltimore, and finally Richmond We're
left behind, Miss Evans was, In truth,
ready to explode, and her two compan-
| ions were in a similar frame of mind
1t was not until the train was ap-
preaching Charleston that Major Ra-
mos finally announced: This is the
end of our journey; the other mem
bers of the expedition are here. But j
must ask you not to talk with them
or with any strangers, for our friends
are being watched by detectives in the
employ of the Spanish minister at
Washington and by United States dep
uty marshals. One little indiscretiOn
might ruin everything"
The hotel to which Major Ramos
led his guests appeared to be well
filed; there were many Cubans in the
lobby, and the air was heavy with the
aroma of their strong, black cigarettes.
| as the major entered they turned In