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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1922-05-05, Page 711111 MAY 5, 1922. rHE HURON RIPOsIT'QR Soldiers Of Fortllllo by. Richard Harding Davis Charles Scribner's Sens, New York. (Oontinned from last week.) It proved to be one of moment. Even before Mendoza 'had ridden to- ward :them with his sword at salute, Clay gave an exclamation of en- lightenment and concern. He saw that the men who were believed to be devoted to Rojas, had been halted and left standing at the farthest cor- ner of the plaza, nearly two hundred yards from where the President had taken his place, that ' Mendoza's in- fantry surrounded them on every aide and that Mendoza's cowboys, who had been walking their horses, bad wheeled and were coming up with an increasing momentum, a flying maali of alorsee and men direct- ed straight at the President himself. Mendoza galloped up to Alvarez with his sword still in salute. His eyes were burning with excitement and with the light of success. No one but Stuart and Rojas heard his words; to the spectators and to the army he appeared as though he was, in his capacity of Commander -in - Chief, delivering some -brief report, or asking for instrucytone. "Dr. Alvarez," he said, "as the head of the army 1 arrest you for high 'treason; you have pletted to den, and then by way of the wharves That part of the city is atilt emtpy.' "Where are your servants; why are they not here?" 'Rape demanded without heeding her. The palace was strangely" empty; no footsteps came running to greet them, no doors open- ed or shut as they hurried to Ma- dame Alvarez's apartments. The servants of the household had fled at the first sound of the uproar in the city, and the dresses and -ornaments scattered on the floor .told that they h d not gone empty-handed. The woman who had accompanied Madame Alvarez to the review sank weeping on the bed, and then, as the shouts grew suddenly louder and snore near, ran to hide herself in the upper stories of the house. Hope crossed to the window and saw a great mob of soldiers nd citizens sweep around the earner and throw themselves against the iron fence of bhe palace. "You will have to hurry," she said. "Remember, you are risking .the lives of those boys by your delay." There was a large bed in the room, and Madame Alvarez had pulled it forward and w'ae bending over a safe that had opened 'in the wall, and which .had been hidden .by the head- board of the bed. 'She held up a bun - place yourself in office without pope- dle of papers in her hand, wrapped lar election. You are also accused of .ia a leather portfolio. "Do you see large thefts of public funds. 1 must these?,• she cried, "they are drafts ask you to ride with me to the mill- , for five millions of dollars." She tary prison. General Rojas, I regret tossed them back into the safe and that as an accomplice of the Presi- I swung the door shut. dent's, you must come with ns also. i ay,„ are a witness. I do not take I will explain my action to the peo- I them;' she said. ple when you are safe in prison, and I "I donut understand," Hope answer - I will proclaim martial law. If your 1 ed, "but hurry. Have you everything troops attempt to interfere, my men you want—have you your jewels?" have orders to fire on ,them and you." i eyes," the woman answered, as Stuart did not wait for his sentence.. she rose to her feet, "they are mine." He had heard the heavy beat of the' A yell more loud and terrible than cavalry coning up on them at a trot. i any that had gone before rose from He sad, the ranks open and two men ' the garden below, and there was the catch at each bridle rein of both sound of iron beating against iron, Alvarez and Rojas and drag them on and cries of rage and execration from with them, buried in the crush of a great multitude. horses about them, and swept for- I will not go!" the Spanish wo- ward by the weight and impetus of man cried, suddenly. "I will not the moving mass behind. Stuart leave Alvarez to •that mob. If they dashed off to the State carriage and want to kill me, let them kill me." seized the nearest of the horses by She threw the bag that held her the bridle. "To the Palace,." he jewels on the bed, and pushing open shouted to his men. "Shoot any one the window stepped out upon the who tries to stop you. Forward, at balcony. She was conspicuous in her a gallop," he commanded. a black dress against the yellow stucco The populace had not discovered of te wall,. and in an instant the what had occurred until it was finish- mob law her and a mad shout of ex - ed. 'Phe coop d'etat had been long ultation• and anger rose from the considered and the manner in which ,mass that beat and crushed itself it was to be carried out carefully against rite high iron railings of the planned. The cavalry had swept a- ' garden. Hope caught the woman by cross the parade ground and up the the skirt and dragged her back. You street before the people saw that are mad," she said. "What good can they oarried Rojas and Alvarez with i you do your husband here? Save theist. The regiment commanded by yourself and he will came to you Rojas found ..itself'hemmed in before ; when be can. There is nothing you and behind by Mendoza's two regi- i can do for }rim now; you cannot give meats. They were greatly outnum- J your life for him. You are wasting it bered, but they fired a scattering shot i and you are risking the lives at the and following ,their captured leader, 1 men who are waiting for us below. broke through the line around thein . Carne, I tell you." and pursued the cavalry toward the MacWilliams eft Clay waiting be - military uprisen. side the diligence and ran fru.m the It was impossible to tell in the stable through bhe empty house and uproar which followed how many or Trow few 'had been parties to the plat.' The mob, shrieking and shouting and dean .the marble stairs to the garden without meeting any one on his way. He saw'Sbuart helping and directing leaping in the air, swarmed across his men to barricade the gates with the parade ground, and from a dozen iron urns and garden benches and different points men rose above the heads of the people and harangued them in violent speeches. And while some of the soldiers and the citizens gathered anxiously about these ora- tors, others ran through the city call- ing for the rescue of the President, for an attack on the palace, and shrieking "Long Live the Govern- ment!" and "Long Live the Revolu- tion!" The State carriage raced sent him back to the Palms with a through the narrow streets with its message to King. We told hint ;to body -guard galloping around it, run the yacht to Los Bocos and lie sweeping down in its rush eti+ay ped - sentry -boxes. Outside the mob were firing at him with their revolvers, and calling him foul names, but Stuart did not seem to hear them. He greet- ed MacWilliams with a cheerful lit- tle laugh. "Well," 'he asked, "is she ready?" "No, but we are. Clay and I've been waiting there for five minutes. We found Miss Hope's groom and estriana, and scattering the chairs and tables in front of the cafes. As it dashed up the long avenue of the palace, .Stuart called his men back and ordered them to shut and Barri, Cade the great iron gates and to guard them against the coming of the mob, while MacWilliams and young Langham pulled open the car- riage door and assisted the 'Presi- dent's wife and her terrified coin - off shore until we came. He is to take her on ddwn the coast to Trux- illo, where our man-of-war is lying, and they will give her shelter as a political refugee." "Why don't you drive her to the Palms at once?" demanded Stuart. anxiously, "and take her on board the yacht there? It is ten ,miles to Boom and the roads- are very bad." "'Clay says we could never get her through the city," MacWillians FI someto tree t� g.h,g run t>� uta,, of ,nista. world-taewua prep. arattoaror Ep11 s�atdd Fla—drops boars treatment, ,tt. over ..ee. en,nNaal•toes sum* •n sin•ava Mose or write ,saa e,tbeCIII er urn .+t.J+w T mato. uotvb9AttWuidagtA But the head en his shoulder only tank the closer and the body stilfea- ed in his armra . Cloy raised his eye and saw the aoldters still standing, irresolute and appalled at what they had done, and awe-struck at the eight of the grief before them. Clay gave t cry as terrible w the cry of a 'w07l.an who has seen her Child mangled before her eyes, and lowering 'the body quickly to the steps Mendoza gets here before Madasne he ran at the eesttering auras below Alvarez leaves, it will be too late." him. As he carne they fled down MacWilliams sprang up the steps the corridor, shrieking and calling to of the palace, and 'Stuart, calling to their friends tothrow open the gates the men nearest him to follow, start- ed after 'him on a run. As Stuart entered the palace with his men at his ,heels, Clay was hurr ing from its rear entrance along the upper hall, and 'Hrope and Madame Alvarez were leaving the apartments of the latter at its front. They met at the top of she main stairway just as Stuart put his foot on its lower step. The young Englishman heard the clatter' of his when following close behind him and leaped eagerly for- ward. half way to the top the noise behind him ceased, and turning his Stead quickly he looked back over his shoulder and saw that the sten had halted at the foot of the stairs and stood huddled together in disorder locking up at hint. 'Stuart glanced over their heads and down the hall- way to the garden beyond to see if they were followed, but the snob still fought from the outer side of the barricade. He waved •h$s aword im- patiently and started forward again. "Come on!" he shouted. But the men below him did not move. Stu- art halted once more and this tine turned about and looked down upon theist with surprise and anger. There was not one of them he could not have called by name. Ile knew all their little troubles, their Jove -affairs, even. They carte to him for com- fort and advice, and to beg for money. He had regarded them as his children and he was proud of them as soldiers because they were the work of his hands. a So, instead of a sharp command, he asked "What is it?" in surprise, and started at them wondering. He could not or would not comprehend, even though he saw that those in the front rank were pushing back and those behind were urging them for-. ward. • The ,nuzzles of their carbines were directed at every 'point, and on their faces fear and hate and cow- ardice were written in varying like- nesses. "What does this mean," Stuart de- manded, sharply. "What are you waiting for?"• Clay had just reached the top of the stair.;. He saw Madame Alvarez and Hope corning toward him, and at the sight of Hope he gave an ex- clamation of relief. Then his eyes turned and fell on the tableau below, on Stuarts back, as he shod confronting the men, and on their scowling upturned faces and half -lifted carbines. Clay had lived for a longer time among Spanish- Americans than had the English sub- altern, or else he was the quicker of the two to believe in evil and in- gratitude, for he gave a cry of warn- ing, and motioned the women away. panion to alight. Madame Alvarez answered. "We should have to fight was trembling with excitement as all the way.. But the city to the she leaned on Langham's arm, but south is deserted, and by going out. she showed no signs of fear in heti by the back roads, we can make Bo - 1 ace or in her manner. cos by ten o'clock be -night. The "Mr. Olay has gone to bring your yacht should reach there by seven. travelling carriage to the rear door," ,'you are right; go back. I will Langham said. 'Stuart tells us rt Is can off some of my 'men. The rest (harnessed and ,Cady. You'i - must hold this mob back until you hurry, please, and: get whatever you reed to carry with you. We will see you safely to the coast." As they entered the 'hall, and were ascending the great marble stairway, Hope and her groom, who had fol- lowed in terse rear of the cavalry, came running to ,meet them. "I got in by the back way," Hope explain- ed. "The streets there are all de- serted. How can I help you?" .she asked, eagerly. "By leaving me," cried the older woman. "Good God, child, have 11 not enough to answer for without dragging you into this? Go- ,home at once through the botanical gar- URpN, YouCannotBuy New Eyei Bed you rise Primerica elean,HealthyCondnlon YoUR UReMurine Eye Remedy Night cod Morning." keep reverEnistlessi,Clear and Healthy. Write for Free Ere Care Book. Rea rraaeaH,c."eswosUatrNq.CIk.N atart; then I will follow with the others. Where is Miss Hope?" "We don't know. Clay is frantic. Tiler groom says she is somewhere in the paiace." "Hurry," Stuart commanded. "If Rheumatism ? Or Neuralgia, Sciatica, Lumbago? The remedy is simple, inexpen- sive. easily taken and harmless. Templeton's Rheumatic Capsules Your druggist will supply yon. Write for free trial to Temple- ton'l, 56 Colborne St., Toronto. Sold by E. Umbacb. In Walton by W. G. Neal. and begging them to admit the snob. When they reached the outer porch they turned, encp,raged by the touch of numbers, sof halted to fire at the Man who etiil'fellowed them. Clay ato?ped,with It look in his eyes 'which no one who knew them had ever seen there, and smiled with pleasure in -'knowing himself a master in what 'he''had to do. And at each report of his revolver one of Stuart's assassins stnrtibled and pitched heavr ily forward on his face. Then he turned and walked slowly, back up tilt hall to' the stairway like a man moving in Ibis sleep. He neither saw nor heard the bullets that bit •spite- fully at, the walls Shalt him and rattled among the glass pendants of the great chandeliers above his head. When he came to the step on which the body lay.'he stooped and picked it up gently, and holding it across his breast, atrdde on up the stairs. MacWilliams and Lan gham were coming toward him, and saw the 'helpless figure in his arms. "What is it?" they cried; "is he wounded, is he hurt?" "He is dead," Clay answered, pass- ing on with his burden. "Get Hope away." Madame Alvarez stood with the girl's arms about her, her eyes closed ane'. her figure trembling. "Let me be!" she moaned. "Don't touch me; let me die. My God, what have I to live for now?" She shook off Hope's supporting arm, and stood before them, •all her former courage gone, trembling and shivering in agony. "I do not care what they do to me:" sine cried. She tore her ;ace mantilla Ertl her shoulders and threw it on the floor "I shall not leave this place. • He is deal. Why should I go? He is dead. They have mur- dered hint; he is dead." "She is fainting," said ,Dope. Her vo:'•e we, strained and hard. To her brother she seemed to have gr.twa 1 • suddenly much cider, and he' looked to he- to tell him what to de. "Take hold of her," she said. "She will fall." The woman sank back into the arms of the men, trembling and moaning feebly. "Now oarry ' her to the carriage," sad !tope. "She Chas fainted; it is bet:sr; she does not know what has happened." Clay, still bearing the body in his arms, pushed open the lirst door that stood ajar before 'him edit his foot. 11 opened into the great banqueting hall of the palace, but he could not choose. He had to con-ider now the safety of the living, winos lives were still in jeopardy. The long table in the centre of the hall was laid with pietas for many people, for it had been prepared for "Stuart!" he cried. "Came away; the President and 'the President's for God's sake, what are you doing? guests, who were to have joined with Come back!" .him in celebrating the successful The Englishman started at the conclusion of the res . •w. Front out - sound of his friend's voice, but he side the light of the sun, which was did not turn his head. Ile began to just sinking behind the mountains, descend the stairs slowly, a step at shone dimly upon :he silver on the a time, staring at the .mob so fiercely that they shrank back before the look of wounded pride and anger in his eyes. Those in the rear rais- ed and levelled their rifles. Without taking his eyes from theirs, Stuart drew his revolver, and with his sword swinging from its wrist -strap, 'point- ed his weapon at the mass below hint. "What does this mean?" he de- manded. "Is this mutiny?" A voice from the rear of the crowd of men shrieked: "Death to the Span- ish woman. Death to all traitors. Long live Mendoza," and the others echoed the cry in chorus. Clay sprang down the broad stairs calling, "Come to me;" but before he could (reach Stuart, a woman's voice rang out, in a long terrible cry of terror, a cry that was neither a prayer nor an imprecation, but which held the agony of bath. Stuart started, and looked up to where Ma- dame Alvarez had thrown herself to- ward him across the broad :balustrade of the stairway. She was silent with fear, and her hand clutched at the air, as she beckoned wildly to hint. Stuart stared 'at her with a troubled smile and waved his empty hand to reassure her. The movement was final, for the men below, freed from the reproach of his eyes, flung up their carbines and fired, some wildly, without placing their guns at rest, and others steadily and aiming straight at his heart. As the volley rang out and the smoke drifted up the great stair- case, the subaltern's ,hands tossed high shove his head, his body sank in- to itself and toppled backward, and, like a tircri child falling to sleep, 'the defeated soldier of fortune dropped hack into the outstretched arms of his friend. Clay lifted hint upon his knee, and crushed ben closer against .his breast withone arm, while he tore with his free hand at the strata' about bhe throat and pushed his fingers in be- tween -the buttons of the tunic. They came forth again wet and colored crimson. "Stuart!" Clay gasped. "Stuart, speak to .me, look at me!" He shook the body in his arms with fierce roughness, peering into the face that rested on his shoulder, as though he rnuld command the eyes back again lo light and life. "Don't leave mel" he said. "For God's sake, old man, don't leave rte!" Catarrh Catarrh 1s a local disarm, greatly Influ- enced by constitutional cnnditlone. HALL'S CATARRH MEDICINE la a Tonle and Blood Purifier. By cleansing the blond and buildingr thn System. HALL'S CATARRH MEDICINE restores normal conditioner and allows Nature to do Its work. AU Druggists. Circulars free. F. S. Cheney & Co., Toledo. Ohio. board, on the glass and napery, and the massive gilt r entre-pieces filled with great clusters „f fresh flowers. It looked a, though the servants had but just left the r'om. Evert the candles .had been lit in •readiness, and as their flames wavered and smoked in the evening breeze they cast un- certain shadows on the walls and showed the stern fares of the readier • presidents frowning down on the crowded table from their gilded frames. There was a great leather loin-T.-- stretching oungestretching along one side' of the hall and Clay moved toward this quickly and laid his burden down. He was conscious that Hope teas still following- him. ollowinghim. He straightened the limbs of the body and fold the arms across the breast and pressed his hand for an instant on the cold hands of his friend, and then whispering something between his lips, tinned and walked hurriedly away. Hope confronted ;im in the door- way. She was s •bbing silently. ' "Must we leave hi•,," she pleaded, "must we leave hire -like this?" From the garden there came the sound of .hammers ringing on the iron hinges, and a great crash of noises as the gate Tit back from its fastenings, and the mob rushed over the obstacles upon n high it had fal- len. It seemed ss if their yells of exultation and anger must reach even the ears of the dear' man. "They are callint: Mendoza," Clay Whispered, "he must be with them. Oome, we will hay, to run for our lives now." Bet before he , • old guess what Hope was about to .lo, or could pre- vent her, she bad ;'ipped past shim and picked up Stn:n•t's sword that had fallen from his wFist to the floor, and laid it on the <,,:dier's body, and closed his hands u• .11 its hilt. She glanced quickly ab. „ her as though looking for something, and then with a sob of relief ran to the table, and (Continued ei page 6) MEANS 7 ,Yf st+nl ii TIRE rf:�XiMILEAGE'' iii4:llt se; • .0,1i.. 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