Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1921-12-14
The Refugees
Reward
---.-.----.--
By HOWARD SMITH.

l opened the door of my room at
the little Mexican hotel at Guyara at
the summons Of an unexpected knock
rapid, nervous, appealing-tO face
the most beautiful woman l had ever
seen.
She was trembling visibly. Those
deep dark blue-eyes were scintillating
with seeming terror. She glanced
up and down the corridor as If mo-
mentarlly expecting some lowering
doom. Then, breathlessly:
"Senor, in the name Of humanity, as
a friend, as a brother, as" she
glanced at my gray wig (false), at the
mature obscuring colored spectacles l
wore-"as a father" she added more
hide-to occupy your room for the
next thirty minutes"
1t was a period of wars alarms, of
unusual happenings. All that portion
of the republic was In turmoil.
was engaged upon a peculiar mission,
hence disguised. stepped past her
into the hall, lifted my hat and said
cOurteously:
with pleasure. 1t Is your apart
mental your WILL" and l heard the
door bolted on the inside and went
down to the lobby, applauding myself
for kind deed. In very few mo-
ments two men in uniform accompa-
MED by a servant came bustling down
the stairs and up to the desk of the
hotel clerk. They were red, perspir-
ing, angry.
1--WE have not found herr spoke
one of the officers.
1.-THE lady you describe, register
name Hermosa AliXina, was given
room Al this morning"
ut Is unoccupied; we have visited
other rooms. She Is not to be found.
One apartment was bolted on the in
side. 1t was 40" spoke the servant.
"Ah that Is your room, is it not,
senor?" Intercepted the clerk, and /
arose and came forward.
mime" I bowed with alacrity, for
it was not time to falter or arouse
suspicion. II just left IT,
/ followed the group up the stair
case.
Empty" pr6nounced the head Off
Ger in sour, disappointed tone as
the barrier was forced, and he darted
a swift glance about the room.
"Observe!" shrilly called out his
compatriot, lifting a filmy, dainty
dress from a chair Again." he add
ed, and pointed to the open window,
to sheet twisted into rope dam
Cling into the shallow court below.
The leader paused momentarily to
direct scowling glance at me.
If 1 thought you were a party to
this escapade-" he began.
"Save your Words" l interrupted
calmly, with an Indifferent shrug of
the shoulders. II am the loser, as I
miss suit Of clothes"
took my loss philosophically.
had lost good deal lately, and my
partner, back at the mines.
1 have said that I was disguised
There was a reason. Briefly, my part
ner and myself had just got our grant
over on the range banning out great
when the revolution came along
We held a concession from the cen
trail government. Fortunately, too,
the government of the province had ap-
proved it. This would hold when
peace came around again, provided 1t
was fled at the capital.
I noticed two Of the coach passen-
suspicious looking fellows whom
seemed to have seen before. 1 awOke
from doze, with the ominous words
ringing in my ears:
''Senor, alight! I"
One of the men held the driver at
bay with revolver. The other, SINH
larly armed, marched me to the side
of the road, carrying my satchel with
over it's contents and arose to search
me.
"A certain document, a mining con-
cessiOn-we know you have 1t. We
want it," he said.
''Save yourself the trouble Of a
search" told the baffled spy. The
paper in question was taken with
ou1t Va CAOIuCS otOAOu AIOA uo, duU
doubtless cast it away as worthless"
was allowed to resume my jour-<
ney. My partner Joined me in the
capital city little later. We had
abandoned all hopes as to the mines.
One evening we were seated In an
outdoor cafe enjoying some really
creditable music, when my companion
touched my foot and whispered: 1.-THE
lady at the table to the left seems
greatly interested In YOU"
l changed my position to view-my
lady Of the hotel episode! She was
radiant with youth, beauty and happi-
ness. She arose, distinguished
young man In uniform her escort.
"Senor, my friend!" she cried spon-
taneOusly, clasplng both Of my hands.
my husband, Colonel Mendoza. Alike,
1t Is my grea friend, he whose
whose clothes / STOLE Oh, sir! to YOU