Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1923-10-26

opened up the ranks next to the house.
Senor Monies appeared in the break,
coming swiftly. His dark face wore
a smile; his manner was courteous,
important, authoritative
"Senora, you got here in time. El
Captain Stewart will be Free"
"Free!" she whispered.
She rose, reeling.
"Come," replied Monies, taking her
arm. "Perdoneme, Sonora.
Senor Monies led Madeline through
hall to patio, and on through
large room with flooring Of rough,
bare boards that ratified, into small
er room full Of armed quiet rebels
facing an open window.
Monies directed Madelines atten-
ton to a man by the window. A loose
scarf of vivid red hung from his
hand.
"Senora, they were waiting for the
sun to set when we arrived" said
Monies. "The signal was about to be
given for Senior Stewards walk to
DEATH"
"Stewart's walkl" echoed Madeline.
"Ah, Sonora, let me tell you his SEN
tence-the sentence I have had the
honor and happiness to revoke for
you"
Stewart had been court-martialed
and sentenced according to a Mexican
custom observed in cases of brave SOL
diers to whom honorable and fitting
executions were due His hour had
been set for Thursday when the sun
had sunk. Upon signal he was to be
liberated and was free to walk out
into the road, to take any direction he
pleased. He knew his sentence; knew
that death awaited him. that every
possible avenue Of escape was blocked
by men with rifles ready. But he had
not the slightest idea at what moment
or from what direction the bullets
we're to come.
"Senora, we have sent messengers
to every squad of waiting soldiers
an order that Ell Captain is not to be
shot. He is ignorant of his release.
shall give the signal for his freedom"
"s there no-no possibility Of
mistake" faltered Madeline.
"None My order included unload
ing of rifles"
"Don Carlos?"
"He is in irons, and must answer to
General Salazar," replied Monies.
With heart stricken by both joy
and agony, she saw Monies give the
signal.
Then she waited. No change mani
tested itself down the length Of that
lonely road. There was absolute si
lence in the room behind h"r
terribly. infinitely long seemed L.
waiting!
Suddenly door opened and tal'
men stepped out.
Madeline recognized Stewart -
had to place both ands on ~ N,I
dow-sll for support, while storm OF
emotion swayed her. Like retreat
ing wave it rushed away. Stewart
lived. He was free. He had stepped
out into the light. She had saved
him. Life changed for her in that in
stant of realization and became sweet,
full, strange
Stewart shook hands with some one
In the doorway. Then he looked up
and down the road. The door closed
behind him. Leisurely he rolled a
cigarette, stood close to the wall while
he scratched a match. Even at that
distance Madeline's keen eyes caught
the small flame, the first little puff Of
smoke.
Stewart then took to the middle Of
the road and leisurely began his walk.
Madeline watched him, with pride.
love, pain, glory combating for mas
terry over her. This walk of his seem
ingly took longer than all her hours
of awakening, of strife, Of remorse
longer than the ride to find him. Sh'
felt that it would be impossible fo'
her to wait till he reached the end o.
the road. Yet in the hurry and rio,
of her feelings she had fleeting panics
She wanted to run to meet him. New
ertheless, she stood rooted to he
covert behind the window, living thai
terrible walk with him to the utter
most thought Of home, sister, mother
sweetheart, wife, life itself-every
thought that could come to a man
stalking to meet his executioners
With all that tumult in her mind and
heart Madeline still fell prey to the
incomprehensible variations of emotion
possible to a woman. Every step
Stewart took thrilled her She had
some strange, subtle intuition that he
was not unhappy, and that he believed
beyond shadow Of doubt that he was
walking to his death. His steps
dragged little, though they had be-
gun to be swift. The old, hard, phys
ical, wild nerve Of the cowboy was
perhaps in conflict with spiritual
growth Of the finer man, realizing too
late that life ought not to be sacri-
feed.
Then the dark CLEAN that was hia
face took shape, grew sharper and
clearer. He was stalking now, and
there was a suggestion Of impatience