The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-05-10

end, barring his progress. Pasquai, a
worthy man who has served-me well.
| I think, however. that because of the
possibilities he has doubtless seen al
ready In the duplication of Madrel.
las, he will return with all speed TO
the city. But l must know shy two
good officers of the Empire have cast
their lot with the forces of reyolu-
tion."
Leroux grinned. eft was an CD
portunity, Francois. whereby a SOL
der of France might work from with
In the enemies' tines: and. hiding his
time, turn a victory TO defeat That
time, as yet. has not arrived. though
our hopes are high"
.Some day." said Besancon, "a
great battle between the Empire and
the Republic will hang In the bal
ance; then will come our opportunity
land the Republic will losew
win or lose, my friends. your lives
are forfeit"
"a small payment. In very truth.
y. y
which totters even now; but you must
tell us all that has befallen. We are
hungry for tidings of the city"
So | spoke of my meeting with La
Anita. and, though | strove desperate
ly for control. my voice trembled.
Besaneon laughed. Another sacri-
fee upon the altar of lover
"Aye." said | frankly; 1.-The Senior
ita Arrelanos Is the one great love
of my lifel"
l described the duel. and the sorry
figure that Madrella had made;
touched lightly upon the senoritas
appearance before his majesty. on the
growth of De Vigny's beard, and !
gave with great detail an account Of
my secret visit TO the house on Aven-
ida Flores. | spoke of the encounter
with the Indian mozo. Agostino, and
of La Anitas farewell to the pseudo
Madrella.
Even a proxy kiss Is better than
no kiss at ALL" said Leroux-
| told them of the failure of Ne
vile, and | pictured him. silent and
still. beside the road explained
Pasqual, and | described the defeat
Of Manuel and Madrella In Cuerna-
vaca. And, lastly, l carried them
through my experience with Don Felis
Perez, the gargoyle of Treinta.
at Is sad" said Besancon, .about
Neville; fine soldier and a good
friend. Yet you, Francois. have fol-
lowed lucky star, thaagh fear you
have added nothing to your prestige
with the lady. for your efforts have
been all for the emperor"
My worship for La Anita" said L.
lis, | know, quite hopeless; yet it
makes of me none the less soldier
of the Empire One must have goal.
II is something to love her, some
thing to have known her. The fact
of her existence is constant incite-
ment to endeavor."
high, Besancon doing likewise. May
your star ever shine, and the god of
luck keep mis- smiling face toward
you; and. Francois. may the senior
tia"
Rene Leroux never finished that
sentence; had he done So | think this
tale of mine would never have been
written. He must have seen in my
face the sudden dismay and horror
that possessed me, for he stopped.
and for ten interrninable seconds the
silence Of tomb descended upon US.
His voice had drowned the slight
sound of an opening door. and Benito
Juarez, silhouetted against the bril-
liant moonlit night, stood In the door
way.
| stared. frozen into futile move
lessness Leroux turned his head,
and. seeing the general, SET the brim-
ming glass of wine-with a dreamy
deliberatiOD of geSture-upon the
table. His hand was so steady that
not drop was spilled, and ! mar
veled at the control of the man. for
this was the end Beardless, | was
De Vigny-and Rene had called me
Francois
JuareZ came slowly into the room
and stopped beside the table. He
looked questionably at each of u.s.
while we stood helpless, waiting for
the world TO fall .'Is this IA bar
IBERIA, senores; and IL so. who. may
ask, is the barber?"
found my voice. "It is sort of
game, excelIency," said |, search
ing my very soul for saving thought
YES" added Besaneon, IA kind
of game" His right hand had sought
the pockef of mis- blouse. wherein
rested the pistol: and l felt that
General Benito Juarez. al that mo
ment, was closer to his death than
! have ever been. which is very near
indeed
The generals smile was not a
pleasant thing TO see is this game
senior, something that your gener.
alp
| thought, for an. instant. that Rene
LerOux had gone mad with the strain
of the thing, for he broke out into
uncomfortable laughter He leaned
over the table in an eestacy of mirth !;
and. as we waited. Juarez's face grew
ominOus.
"YOur pardon, excellency." gasped
Leroux. Il will expIain-in a mo
ment." He stopped and drew a long
breath. He pointed toward me- This
beardIess man is Captain de Vignyi"
Mad was certain MadI
I waited.
Indeed" Juarez urged; what is
the next move in your-'game Z"
pablo Matireila." continued Rene