White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1932-01-07
Blu Fred McLauqhlitN

have told the Senorita, Polito, of my
love, and failed miserably, as de-
serve"
He offered no comment.
"She told me, today, in the home
Of the good Tomas, that tomorrow she
would wed De Fuentes"
mo-" he whispered, mot"
"a sort of sacrifice, my friend, for
what she imagines I have done for
her; thing that makes me love her
very much"
| "But she would not" he said.
mot now, there is mo need. Be
Sides" now I laughed, "Adolfo will
marry no one tomorrow, Polite, nor
the day after nor for many days, be-
cause the proud colonel will never go
into the cathedral and stand up be-
fore the people of Caracas with the
face that he will be wearing tomor-
row."
Polite put out gauntleted hand
"What?" he questioned. "You
| have-?"
II have done everything but kill
ILL., lily lllcuu, anu N1duucl anu Ills
courageous intrigants stayed me just
| in time. Something in my blood calls
| for his life. We are proud, Polito,
and he has called me ladrone. In New
| Orleans did he not try to kill me?"
| Polite nodded, and many weary
miles were put behind us before an
other word was spoken. The moon
/ was yet an hour above the crest Of
the Carabobo hills when we passed
through the sleeping hamlet of Qua
and, turning our horses toward the
southeast, took the broad road that
led to Ocumare. From Ocumare we
went south again, between fields Of
cane and maize, and of melons barely
visible in the grazing dawn.
| Swiftly we took the gentle ascent
approaching the broad range that is
the barrier between the waters Of the
Orinoco and the Caribbean sea. We
Numbered through canon, and a
pass opened out ahead Of us, wide
pass on the southern rim Of vast
amphitheater. Here we stopped our
painting horses and surveyed the scene
ahead of us. Beyond the pass would
lay, manifestly, the valley of the ORR
noco, and the valley Of the Orinoco
would be, we knew, under control Of
those who served Bolivar.
"Polito," said, II do not know why
you approach the lines Of the revolu-
tionists. You are, therefore, in dan
ger, for a Spanish officer in the hands
Of Venezuelans who have heard, ere
this, of Tucayan would have little
chance for his life. Ocumare, with
safety for you, lies not so far behind
u.s."
He sat with head averted. II do
not care, he whispered; "could we
not-?"
"You throw your life away, Senior;
besides, the Senorita Dulce will surely
need you"
"But, Senor," he whispered,
"will-?"
I think it had been his desire to
ask what chance 1, in Spanish uni
form, might have with the followers
Of Bolivar, but an interruption came,
an interruption in the guise of body
of armed horsemen, who, approaching
from the southwark, appeared in the
pass, weapons cleaning in the morn
ing light.
II am terrified, Senor!"
turned upon my companion in
amazement, for Polite would never
have said that. Mother Of Cd,
Senorita, what madness is this?"
had ridden beside her through the
night, had talked Of many things.
What had said, what stupid blunders
had made? I had professed death
less love for her. and had failed to
see through simple disguise. But
for that look Of terror in her eyes /
should have laughed.
I'll would leave Caracas, Senor
She had given herself into my
keeping, had permitted me to tell her
Of my love. All, that was joy! Now
the horsemen let out wild yells and
bore down upon u.s.
"There is no safety here for you