Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-06-27
CHAPTER xx1.-(Continued.)


CHAPTER xXI.-(Continucd.)
One day Manuel told him that
Jacinto Meyer had been hung. It was
not true. Jacinto Meyer had not
given the state any excuse to hang
him; he . too clever: The tale had
been hung in efigy in the public
square Of one Of the smaller cities
where Germanism was especially un-
popular owing to the submarine sink
ing OF a ship and the loss Of a NUM-
Der Of sailors native to the place. But
Corey Bruce did not know that. He
believed the account, As Z matter Of
course.
He had cherished in all his COM
hope tina was q prayer: Q hope that
by some means Jacinto Meyer might
be led to tell Noel the truth about the
prisoner in Rio Nabuco. His Anneri-
can g~ood-nature could not conceive
the Hunnish iinplacabilfty toward an
enemy. the cultured barbarity which
would let as innocent mar lie in USE
less ana Hndeserved anguish and dis
grace all the days Of his life. Useless,
because Meyer no longer wanted any
thing of Corey Bruce.
Now, even that weak hope had died
with Meyers death. Thirteen years
He knew he would not live out his
sentence. He did not care; that ulti-
mate liberty into which he would step
a diShonored man, a man upon whom
Noel and Milo and Gil Granados
would turn their backs-held no al
lure.
He sank into a frightful detection.
He no longer cared to heat Of the
march of happenings as the state set
tied into her place. He preferred to
live in a stupor Of memory that was
liant music and saw the young South
American turn his face to his friend,
head thrown back. eyes laughing
across the darkly glintins expanae Of
the piano. He worked with Gil Gran
ADDS in the library, or sat at table
with Noel.
Sometimes he fell into passions Of
bitter anger with them all: reproach-
Ing the friends who would not yield
he might say in his own defense. He
could forgive David Noel, who had
been kind to him, and believed the
kindness betrayed. But Milo Valdez
he had not wronged Milo. even were
Meyers story true. Surely Milo might
have come to Rio Nabuco in some
leisure days, or have had om i'm
pulse of compassion for a man shut
away In a hideous captivity without
end! He knew he would have don
so much for Milo. in like case. Or
Granados might have come!
Soon he would grow cold again;
would realize that Milo the enthusiast
might have forgiven an inGrate to
himself, but never would forgive an
migrate to Noel and a deserter from
the cause Of their countries. Nor
would the Marshal Granados seek out
the mar who had stolen and fed
while he lay disabled by sickness. IN
that mood, it would seem to Bruce
that Of them all. his best hope lay in
the justice of David Noel-who might
give him a hearing.
Gradually that hope became the
only shelter of his reason. He lost
hope of Milo Valdez, of Granados.
even Of chance proving his Innocence.
But he kept the hope that Noel would
not abandon him to q thirteen-year
punishment without hearing him.
Some day, perhaps. when Noel
CHANGED to be riding that way, he
would turn aside and enter the prison.
out of some page to his eyes, as be-
fore. He knew of course, that Mey-
er's story must nave been implicitly
believed. Otherwise, he, would not
be here.
One night he dreamed of the first
dinner when Benito stood guard be-
tween the blue curtains. His sick
brain showed him the company, show
ed him Noel offering his hand across
dream he erasped at that hand, cry
inc the other m q NC no m In Anenoxo.
ton. He could not make Noel hear,
although only the table was between
them. He shouted. loud, louder!
He started up with his voice dying
In his parched throat; a strange, UNI
kempt figure clad only in ragged
coat and trousers, His. black Trimmed
spectacles incofigrouous on his I'M
shaven face. Manuel was at the bars,
holding up a light to stare into the
cell. A rat was gliding away from the
sudden glare.
Santa Maria"' %grurnbled the jailer.
what are you shouting for, man? 1
heard you out in the road"
Senior Noel stammered Bruce,
pressing his hand against hts fore
head. Il thought I saw Senior Noel
Il saw
Senior Noel. our Twice-American,
here? This m Of not eating!
Since the very excellent Senior Gem
eral is gone back to the north, how
here? He IL one Of u REPUBLICS war
commission. gone to arrange great
matters with the Wilsonistas.'
Bruce tried to stand up. Noel had
gone North again? The last hope was
gone. then He held out his hand
with a blind memory of his dream,
then tainted, slipping of the cot face
downward on the floor.