White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1931-12-24
The VALE OF ARAGON

Our parents did this long ago. In the
three years that Colonel Fuentes has
spent in Venezuela vast changes have
come over him, and perhaps in myself
as well. do not feel so sure Of my
self as did some time ago."
| Now, although I was sure this visit
OF the Senorita Lamartina would be
my death warrant-for Adolfo would
know whittier she had gone-I laughed
in the fullness of great joy, for
knew that De Fuentes had lost. Elias
the air Of Venezuela, Your Majesty,
furnished your tin soldier, or perhaps
the moonlight Of New Orleans-7"
"Can you jest SO, Senior, when you
must know they are seeking you out
even now? You should never have
come here; there is danger here for
you"
"Assuredly; yet wherever the Seno-
rita goes"
Caracas is filed with your enc
miles,"
AYE, and I have friends here,
! Senorita, the best friends that man
ever Indifferent patriots who are
working for the freedom Of great
empire; men whom Spain will never
| conquer, soldiers who follow man of
| Destiny"
An expression of sadness touched
her eyes. "Yet you told me, Senior,
that you did not serve Bolivar"
II did not serve him then, Your
Majesty, but since that time / have
looked upon the dead city Of Tucayan,
and a people who can sanction such
an act Of senseless brutality"
"Ah, Senior, this nightmare of MUIR
der This Bolivar who has
brought about all the wars, and the
killings. Would you serve this this
vulture, Senor? She caught the
lapels of my rough jacket in trembling
fingers. "Senor," she said breathless-
ly, my father spent his life in the
service of Spain, and Polito, my broth
er, will doubtless do the same. Ones
country is ones life. Did you come to
Venezuela, Senior, to offer service to
Bolivar?
AS you very well know, l followed
the Senorita Lamartina to Venezuela"
did you journey to Caracas to
serve Venezuelan"
II saw the Senorita riding toward
Caracas, and I followed her, as
would always
did you visit the cathedral today
because Of your love for the fervent
patriots?"
1 heard the sounds of marching
men, and knew that the guards had
returned. This, then, was the end.
II would not hurt you, Senorita, yet
must tell you; / would tell you that
my worship for you has been a sort
Of glory in my life, that your face
has filled my dreams, that your voice
| has seemed"
Please, Senior, I cannot"
"Under happier circumstances, Your
Majesty, could have offered very
much, but with the soldiers waiting to
I take me to the dungeon, I can only
tell you that love you, can only offer
| gratitude to you for the joy my wor.
ship has given me-"
She faced me, her eyes shining with
SSe~A'' AASlS A1oNO OCCA LOO uldAy
soldiers in my family, Senior, for me
to love an enemy of Spain"
Love is not matter of national
ity."
mo" she said sadly, "it is a mad
ness, a wretched insanity"
She held our her hand and 1 pressed
the fingers against my lips. "Ah,
Senorita l love you sol"
"Dios!" she gasped. To-day 1 tried
to buy yiur liberty, and you didn't
need it; tomorrow, when you need it.
1 shall try again, for you have offered
so much. You will be free, then. to
| serve"
"Ah, Dulce mia, may I-?'
"Adios, Senor."
AS sat through the passage of the
leaden hours a darkness settled on
my prison, and on my soul as well.
l waited with the dull fatalism of the
condemned for the coming Of him
who would see to my execution. HAY
ing lost the Senorita, there was moth.
ing more that could lose; life with
OuI AC1 WOulu Dc luIll0 Lnlng, q
vain effort, empty Of all that which
should make life worth while.
A full moon, thrusting above the
rim Of the eastern hills, had just be-
gun to spread its golden mantle over
the city when Adolfo came; his
guards, eight in number, stationing
themselves outside my door that led
into the patio. The recklessness that
comes to one whose hours are mum.
bered had laid spell upon me.
SWELL" I cried gaily as he entered.
eff it isn't the stranded bridegroom ~
He stabbed me with baleful eve.
"You might not deem that quite so
clever, Senior, If you had known am
familiar with your English"
(To BE CONTINUED.)
TN m