White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1932-03-03
CHAPTER XIII
A Night of Madness

the window watched red sun go
down behind the hills of Barquisimeto
Alone and facing my last night Of
life, I lived in fancy, through the
ewift passage Of events that had filled
the few short weeks since that night
Of moonlight madness in New Orleans
In actions, in emotions, in love and
hate and fear had lived long life
In that brief space. l had met brave
and honorable men whose friendship
had proved blessing to me; I had
made enemies who had filled my soul
With a passion for killing; I had seen
patriotism IL it's highest form, had
watched a man win an empire; aye,
had assisted, even, in the winning IF
1t, and l had spent my life in the
service of a lovely lady. And I was
carrying away with me to another
and surely more beautiful-world the
blessing OF her love.
Dulce herself had called my love
Il madness. Well if madness
might glorify ones life with such emo
tional bliss, then madness was indeed
blessing, and sanity futile thing.
1t had been born, remembered, all at
onee-that love for the Senorita. She
had come, like an angel, out of the
mellow moonlight, and love had over
whelmed me in an instant.
My worship had brought me here,
here to a gloomy house of horrors
which I would leave at dawn to face
the rising sun and a file of armed sol
diers. Yet | was glad of my service
to the Senorita. Her brother was safe,
and free Of the menace of Colonel
PM, she was doubtless safe. PM
had vanquished, yet Pinis dead hand
reached out to crush me. How
strangely doth fate direct our destiny
for, between two suns, the Senorita
LaDartina should lose three suitors for
her hand.
l laughed aloud at the sheer absurd
ity Of the thing, and turning back to
the iron door, found the guard stand
Ing there, tapping upon it. Can you
laugh at such time, Senor?"
"Why not?"
~ do not know-yet man seldom
laughs at DEATH"
us not laugh easier to fashion,
He considered 1t. "Who knows ?"
He frightened up. II have news,
News Of interest and profit to the
Senior Americana. l would tell you,
Senior, of thing that shall give you
freedom. He has returned, Senior"
He" questioned; mot PM, Pablo,
he could never-?''
Mother Of Cd" Pablocito gasped,
crossing himself again. II hope he
may never return!"
''1'hen-?'
1.-THE young Spanish lieutenant, he
whom you aided to escape"
mo, Pablo" cried, mo; he could
not have done thing so foolishw
"A glorious thing, Senor.'
'Aye, Pablo" said humbly, "a
glorl JUS thing indeed
SO the brave Polite, to save me.
had made the great sacrifice. All, a
miserable time for Dulce, for she loved
th't handsome brother. "NNhat does
he say. Pablo?"
"After the darkness had settled"
the guard explained, "this young lieu.
tenant appeared at the iron gate and
demanded admittance He told us
chat the Americana, Major Garde, had
taken his personal bond until ten
o'clock, so that, under cover Of the
night, he might make his way safely
to the calabozo for the streets of
Valencia are filled with Venezuelans
celebrating our great victory at Cara
hobo.
$50, If the Senior has not aided in
the escape Of the Lieutenant Lamar
tina but has merely put him on parole
for few hours, he will surely not be
shot tomorrow morning. If the pris-
oaer has returned, how may they shoot
your"
"How indeed, Pablo?"
'You do not seem glad, Senor."
"No, Pablo, for. the boy has thrown
his life away"
"A brave man." said Pablo, who
seemed less sympathetic than happy.
Il nave lOCheu I'LL up anu dIu gong
now to report the occurrence to Cap
tain Lopez, comma nGant of the prison.
He will see to your release-is 1t not
SO, Senor?"
II suspect that he will, my little
Pablo. Can you not bring the lieu
tenant here and put him in this cell
with me?"
"Assuredly; little moment, Senor."
/ waited, horror in my heart, for his
return. l knew that this would give
me back the Senorita, yet, if she lost
her brother =. ~. All, the glory, and
the pity, of the thing
They stood in the narrow hallway,
vague figures in the Intellectual light.
Pablo unlocked the door, thrust into
my cell a uniformed figure and
slammed the door shut again. Il will
Yeturn, Senor," he said.
l waited until the sound of his de-
parting footsteps died away In the
COON, then took the counterfeit lieu
tenant in my arms. Always, Senorita,