The Washington herald., 1919-11-04

Ing the bewilderment In O'ReIlly.s
face, Alvarado smiled. you won't
need to say anything more. No living
soul. except Tomas and !. knows that
he thrashed me. but II Is true. I was
young. l wanted to go To the war.
but he took 1t out of me with bam-
boo. Later we bound ourselves never
TO mention It.. He will understand
from the message that / trust you.
and he will help you to reach the
rebels. IL such a thing is possible.
But tell me. when you have found
MISS Varona. what thenr'
why. I'll bring her out"
How? Do you think you can walk
into any seaport and take ship? You
will be tagged and numbered by tho
authorities. Once you disappear into
the nsnigue. you will be a marked
man."
well. then. I'll marry her right
there. I'm an American citizen"
7 Don't build too much on that fact.
either" the doctor warned. Spanish
jails are strong. and your country has
never compelled that respect for Its
nationals which other countries insist
upon"
Perhaps! But the first thing Is to
Ind Miss Yarona and learn that she's
safe. I don't much care what happens
after that"
Alvarado nodded and smiled. Good!
What would this world do without
sentiment? 1t loves a lover. like
your spirit and l hope soon to have
the pleasure OF again seeing you and
meeting your-wife.'
O'Reilly flushed and stammered,
whereupon the good Cuban patted him
on the shoulder. Come ana see me
when you get back. and bring me news
Of Tomas. Now, adois. compadre."
"Adois, senior. / am deeply grate-
ful.'
O'Reilly had no difficulty In securing
passage direct to Neuvitas on the Eng
fish steamer Durham Castle. and a
few days later he saw the Atlantic
Highlands dissolve into the mists of a
winter afternoon as the ship headed
outward into a nasty running sea.
1t proved to be a wretched trip. on
Hatteras the Durham Castle labored
heavily for twelve hours, and bad
weather followed her clear into the
old Bahama Channel. Not until she
had thrust her nose into the narrow
entrance of Neuvitas harbor did she
wholly cease her seasick plunging,
but then the weather changed with
bewildering suddenness.
Cuba. when II came fairly into sight,
lay bathed in golden sunshine. all
warmth and welcome, like a bride
upon an azure couch. The moist
breath from her fragrant shores swept
over the steamers decks and Johnnie
O'Reilly shifted II joyfully.
He had brought little luggage with
him. only an extra suit Of khaki. a
few toilet articles, and Colts re-
volved. the companion of his earlier
Cuban days. He was holding the
weapon In his hand, debating how and
where to conceal It, when the first
ofilcer paused in the stateroom door
and. spying IL, exclaimed.
Hello! Smuggling arms to the in
surrectos, eh?"
O'Reilly laughed. TITS an old friend.
I don't know just what to do with It."
I'll tell you." the mate volunteered.
Lead your old friend out here to
the rail. shake hands with him, and
drop him overheard before he gets
you into trouble"
"Really?"
II mean II. They won't let you Iand
with that hardware. Take my tip"
But Johnnie hesitated. Though hts-
Intentions were far from warlike, he
could not bring himself. in view OF
his secret plans. to part with his only
weapon. He examined his extra pair
Of khaki trousers. and discovering a
considerable surplus OF cloth at each
inside seam. he took needle and thread
and managed to sew the gun In so
that it hung close against the inside
OF his right leg when he donned the
garment. 1t felt queer and uncom-
Portable, but II did not appear to be
noticeable so long as he stood upright
With some pride in his strategem, he
laid of his winter suit and changed
into lighter clothing.
Neuvitas was scorching under
MONDAY sun when he came on deck.
Its low. square houses were glaring
white: here and there a splotch of
vivid Cuban blue stood out: the rick
ETY., worm-eaten piling of its water
front resembled rows of rotten, snag-
gly teeth smiling out Of a chalky face
mottled with unhealthy, artificial spots
Of color. Gusts OF wind from the
shore brought feverish odors, as II
the city were sick and exhaled a taint-
ed breath. But beyond. the hills were
rich and ripe. That was the Cuba
which O'Reilly knew.
A Spanish transport. close by. was
languidly discharging uniformed
troops; lighters Of military supplies
were being unloaded; the sound of a
bugle floated from the shore. Moored
to the docks or anchored in the harbor
were several shallow-draught tin
clad" coast-patrol craft from the STATS
OF which streamed the red and yellow
bars Of Spain.
'tTo Be ContInued)