Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1921-05-12

tOnments are to be rushed and set
afire; l figure that the confusion of
our sudden attack will create a riot
particularly when 1 do something that
isn't very popular as a war feature
down this way, and that is charge
and keep on coming.
"The government troops will start
to fall back on the city, only to find
themselves flanked by a fierce artil-
lery fire from the San Bruno cOntin-
gent; the troops from the arsenal, the
guards at the palace and the Fiji
teenth regiment of infantry, now sta
toned at the Quartet de Infanteria,
next the government palace, will be
dispatched post haste to repulse the
attack, and 400 men, with the machine
gun company waiting in Leber's ware
house, will promptly move upon them
from the rear and capture the arsenal.
There are a few thousand rifles and
lot of ammunition stored there; l
miss my guess If, as soon as the news
Of its capture by the rebels spreads
through the city (and 1 shall have
men to spread it), l shall not have a
few thousand volunteers eager to help
overthrow Sarros.
"Once cut off from the arsenal and
the palace, Sarros must fight his way
out of the city in order to have the
slightest chance to suppress the rebel
lion, for he will have no refuge in the
city. And with the railroad and all
the rolling stock in our hands, with
out commissary for his troops, with
out a base of supplies, even should
the government troops fight their way
through, they leave the city in my
hands and I'll recruit and arm my men
and hunt them down like jack rabbits
at my leisure. Once let the arsenal
and the palace fall into my hands,
once let me proclaim myself prOvis
iOnal president, once let the people
know that Ricardo Ruey, the beloved,
lives again in the person Of his son,
and tell you, Webster, this country
is saved. How do you like my plan
of campaign"
at couldn't be any better if l had
planned it myself. You might accept
my suggestion and armOr that little
motor truck of mine. 1t arrived on
yesterdays steamer"
"And some armOr sheet steel with
it-sheet steel already loop-holed for
the barrels of the two machine guns
it will carryw DIR. Pacheco cried JOY
ously.
"Have you provided a chauffeur,
Doctor"
II have-likewise an armOred sheet
steel closet for him to sit in while
chaffeuring"
"How about that loan to the pro-
visiOnal government" Ricardo de-
manded pointedly.
Webster did not hesitate. After all,
what was money to him now? Billy
had gone away, his hopes raised high,
already a millionaire after the fash
ion of mining men, who are ever ready
to count their chicks before they are
Matched, provided only they see the
eggs. Besides, there was Dolores. Full
well Webster realized that Billy,
tossed back once more into the jaws
of the well-known wolf of poverty,
would not have the courage upon his
return to SObrante to ask Dolores to
share his poverty with him; should
the revolution fail, Ricardo Ruey
would be an outcast, a hunted man
with a price on his head, and in no
position to care for his sister, even
should he survive long enough to
| tot CID Il
be alone in the world if he, John Stu
! art Webster, failed her now-mOre
than ever she needed a mans strength
and affection to help her navigate the
| tide-rips of life, for life to a woman,
alone and unprotected and dependent
upon her labor for the bread she must
eat, must contain, at best, a full meas
ure of terror and despair and lOneli-
ness. He pictured her through a grim
professional of years of skimping and
petty sacrifices-and all because he,
John Stuart Webster, had hesitated to
lend a dreamer and an idealist a pal
try $4,000 without security.
No, there was no alternative. If
his friendship for Billy was worth a
sou, it was worth $4,000; if his silent,
unreQuited love for Dolores Ruey was
worthy of her, no sacrifice on his part
could be too great, provided it guar
anteed her happiness.
Ruined again." he sighed. "This
is only another of those numerous Oc-
casions when the tail goes with the
hide. How soon do you want the
money!"
Ricardo Luiz Ruey leaned forward
and gazed very earnestly at John Stu
art Webster. do you really trust me
that much, my friend?" he asked feel
ingly. Remember, l am asking you
for $4,000 on faith"
"Old sport" John Stuart Webster
answered, you went overheard in
Buenaventura harbOr and took a
chance among those big, liver-colored,
hammer-headed sharks. And you did
that because you had a cause you
thought worth dying for. never knew
a man who had a cause that was
| yUOrtb 6Uin0 for vrrbo would oUpO nC.