The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-10-23
CHAPTER II-Continued

Sue UOWeu uSr nedu, anu the Slllu
shoulders dropped. Il know, Mon
sieur, only that it touches me-here."
She pressed her hands over her heart.
Il do not understand"
"What have they done to Francisco
Perez and Santini, the soldier?"
"We are approaching the shores of
Venezuela" she said, land tomorrow,
as the sun rises" She raised her
hands and let them fall in gesture
Of hOpelesSness. 81 have tried 70 save
them l do not understand Adolf
70; in some things he is hard-hard!'
l did not have to ask her what they
intended to do with Loren Garde, who,
as far as they knew, had casl his lot
with the forces Of revolution, who had
hidden his identity behind the mas
querade of insanity. 1 knew.
What have they done with Manuel?"
"Manuel?" she questioned. "Ah-
Manuel; he of the dark face and
heavy shoulders. They have done
nothing; he is free-a good sailor and
4 brave man though somewhat stupid"
L
a deep hurt in her eyes and her chin
begin to tremble, then / stopped. apol-
Ogetic Perhaps" said |, my moon
madness has never quite forsaken me-"
She had called Manuel stupid
What was it Francisco had said to
me? All, yes IF the captain
questions our innocence, and even be-
comes so suspicious as to confine us,
there is yet Manuel and the mixed
crew of this ship" Surely, Francisco
had not done things by halves. If
courage and brains could win, Bolivar
would never lose.
IF it helps you to laugh in the
shadow of the gallows, Monsieur
Garde, your mOon-madness is a blessed
gift" She turned away as though TO
leave me, but came back again. 'I-I
want you to know that have tried so
hard to save you, but am helpless l
am not even a pawn in this tragedy
they call the game of empire
MAY | crave a favor Your Maj
esty-just One-befOre you gO?"
Surely" She raised her fair face
questioningly. IF there is aught-?"
Now, while she kept her face up
turned to me, l studied the smooth
forehead, the high arch of eyebrow,
the deep blue of her eyes, the CULVER
ing lips and the tender curve of cheek
and chin.
May I tell you that you are beauti-
full, and may offer apology for hav-
ing followed you, for having wounded
your-your-,fOr having wounded De
Fuentes and for that night IF
madness and terror in New Orleans?
l wonder if you have imagined me
crazy"
1T is not that, Monsieur; / do not
understand l think we cannot read
America. That you should laugh at
the gallows seems strange to me. And
that you should have followed us from
New Orleans. Isis that the act Of a
sane MANI"
mo, Your Majesty, it is not" Could
tell her of my mad worship, of that
overwhelming love of mine; would
that have gained anything for either
of us? To have told her would mere
ly have added to her unhappiness, for
had only short night of life left
to me.
Il am going to Adolfo," she said at
last. land tell him that the Senior
Americana is not responsible. that the
Venezuelans, Perez and Santini, held
him captive. Adolfo will do much
for me-"
But not that, Your Majesty. for
Adolfo does not love me. He has every
reason not to love me, for l have
wounded him.
Il shall try, at least"
knew she would fail, knew she
would not return, so tried every con-
versational subterfuge to detain her,
with no success, for she extended a
hand to me. smiling. "Adios."
Even as | held the slim fingers, the
sound of pistol shot came from the
deck above us, followed by the roar of
a commanding voice.
Captain Alvarez" she cried; ''the
voice of Captain Alvarez. What is it,
Monsieur?"
Another shot, another yell; shrill
medley now, and swift, padding foot
steps. Our guards disappeared in the
gloom of the channel, running for the
upper deck. The air was filed with
the menace of an approaching storm
as well as that of mutiny.
what is it?" she screamed, holding
to me- What has happened, Senior,
tell me?"
l laughed shortly. "The stupid
Manuel is playing the game according
to his orders. Unless something is
done swiftly and well, this ship will
be, very soon, in the hands of those
who fight for Simon Bolivar. 1t is a
floating arsenal and is, therefore.