Show I The Vale Ol of Aragon RED URD McLAUGHLIN d. d By of ol The Blade of ol Author WT nV Service by br Bobbs Co WHAT HAS TRANSPIRED In New Orleans In the year 1521 Loren Gc Garde do recently an of- of fleer under General Jackson i IB Is surprised b by the appearance of or three figures In ancient Spanish costume two men and a woman whose beauty enchants him Resenting Re- Re the arrogance ance of or the cIder cider elder cid eld- er of the tho two men Gardo Garde fights A duel with him and wounds him lb Ho lIe learns his opponent Is Adolfo do de F Fuentes colonel In the Spanish army In Venezuela Gardo Garde overhears overhears over over- hears a plot t to overthrow Spanish rule In Venezuela Discovered ho fights but Is o overpowered ered Garde Gardo finds himself a n prisoner on the Santa LucrecIa be bearing arms and ammunition for tho the Venezuelans under Doll Bolivar On board are the conspirators he ho had overheard the lady of his love her brother Polito Polito Po- Po lito and De Do F FUentes entes From the girl Gardo Garde learns her name Is Dulce Lamartina He loves her herand herand and feels she Is not Indifferent to him The Tho vessel wrecked ed Garde reaches tho the Venezuelan shore alone Ho He meets Monahan captain In the British legion under Bolivar Boli Doll var and sees Dulce with Do Fuentes Fuentes Fu Fu- Fu- Fu entes and Polito Monahan directs him to friends In Caracas There Gude Garde Is wel welcomed omed at revolutionary revolution revolution- ary headquarters He goes to the wedding of or Dulce and Do Fuentes Dulco Dulce recognizes him and leaves Do De Fuentes at nt the tho altar She Is torn from Gardes Garde's arms but he escapes Dulce makes her wa way to Garde She tells him her wedding to De Dc Fuentes was to have havo been the price of or Gardes Garde's lifo life They reveal their mutual love Garde Is s seized by Spanish soldiers and learns Dulce has disappeared He HeIs HeIs Heis Is rescued by Manuel a n revolutionist with Polito sets nets out for ar's Boli camp CHAPTER VI Continued VI-Continued Continued 7 7 He Hc was silent and I continued I 1 have hac tol told the thc Senorita Polito Polite of ot m my love and failed miserably as asI asI asI I deserve lIe He offered no comment She told me to today a in the home of the good Tomas that tomorrow she the would wed De Fuentes No o he whispered no A A sort of sacrifice my friend for or what she imagines I have e done for her a n thing that makes me melove melove melove love her very cry much But she would not not not- he lie said Not ot now there Is no need Besides Be- Be sides Eldes now I laughed Adolfo Adofo will marry no one tomorrow Polito nor northe northe northe the day after nor for many da days s because the Ule proud colonel will never Ile-er go Into the cathedral and stand up before the people of Caracas with the face that he willbe will willbe willbe be wearing tomorrow put out a gauntleted You hand What he be questioned have have i T TJ J I 1 have c done eYer everything but kill him my friend and Manuel and his courageous stayed me Just In Um time Something In m my blood calls for his life W We are arc proud PolIto and he has called me ladrone In New Orleans did he not try to kill me Polito nodded and many nany weary miles mUes were put behind us before another word was spoken The was was yet an hour bour above the crest of ot the Carabobo hills when we wc passed through the sleeping hamlet hamlet ham ham- l let t of at Cua an and turning our horses borses toward the southeast took the troad broad road that led to Ocumare From Ocumare we we went t south again between fields of ot cane and maize and of ot melons barely visible vis viz ible In the graying dawn Swiftly we took the gentle ascent ascent ascent as as- cent approaching the broad range that is the barrier between the waters waters wa of ot the Orinoco and the Caribbean Cant Carit- bean sea We Ve thundered through a canon and a pass opened out ahead of us a wide pass on the southern rim of a n vast amphitheater Here we stopped our panting horses and surveyed the scene ahead of us Be Beyond ond the pass would lay manifestly the valley vaHey of at the OrInoco Orinoco Ori OrI- noco and the valley of ot the Orinoco would be we knew under control of ot those who served Bolivar PoUto I said I do not know I wh why you have bave accompanied me thus thins far tar but I am nIll sure we approach the lines of the revolutionists re Y You u are I therefore in danger for tor a n Spanish I officer In the hands of ot Venezuelans Venezuelans lans hans who have ha heard ere this of would have little chance for tor his life Ocumare with safety for you lies not far behind us He sat with head averted a I 1 do donot donot donot not care he whispered could we not not Dot i You throw your life away Senor besides the Senorita Dulce will surely need you But Senor he whispered will willI will i I think It had been his desire to ask what chance I 1 In Ia Spanish uniform uniform uni uni- form might have with the followers follow follow- ers of ot Bolivar ar tnt but an Interruption came nn an Interruption In the guise of a body of ot armed horsemen who approaching from the southward appeared In the pass weapons I gleaming In the morning light I am terrified Senor 1 I turned upon my companion In amazement for tor Polito would never h have ve said that Mother of G G-d G d Senorita what madness Js is this I had ridden beside her ber through the night had talked of ot many things s. s What had I said what stupid blunders had I made madei I had professed a deathless love lop for her tier and had tailed failed to see through h a simple simple sim aim pie disguise But for that look 1001 of terror In her eyes I should have laughed I I 1 I would leave Caracas Se Se- nor She had given en herself herselt Into my keeping and permitted me to tell her of or my love lo Ab Ah that was a ajoy ajoy joy Joyl I Now the horsemen let put out wild yells and bore down upon us There is no safety here hero for you ou Senorita anyone who Is Spanish Spanish- Yes Senor yes I must go You will be s safe In Ocumare Dismounting I caught the bridle of her tier horse borse and whirled him around toward the north When this nightmare of murder Is over o Senorita shall I find you you you- She nodded God preserve c you Senor she said softly Adios then 1 She waved an nn arm and bending low In the saddle disappeared in inthe inthe I the mouth of the canyon The he sounds of at her going had died away before the tIIe revolutionists came to where I stood wailing waiting The They circled around me guns to the fore and I raised my empty hands above my head Take me to your officer I said a n great happiness filling ray my soul So closely guarded b by at least leasta a score of at horsemen I rode slowly slowly slow slow- ly iy across across the amphitheater and through the wide pass coming at last to a level le space where a body of men encamped besl beside e the road None one so far as I could see was In uniform except one tall man One of my captors spat out a n stream of unintelligible jargon and the officers officer's face grew grimmer as the tIIe story proceeded Now he lie faced me his black eyes holding a hostile glint You may tell teil me who you are my captain I am Loren Garde an American Ameri Amen can come conic to offer service to Boll Boli van var In a Spanish uniform I r A likely tale Senor Wh Why do you offer servIce servIce service ice to our general Because I do not like the SpanIsh SpanIsh Spanish Span Span- ish I s said ld He showed white teeth In a pleased grin If It you ou do not like the Spanish Senor why the thc uniform uniform uni uni- form One must go through the lines of Spain this uniform has been borrowed for the occasion and the former owner of It doubtless nurses a broken head I smiled I reassuringly ly but met no response In his eyes Your story Is Interesting Senor 1 Now tell me If 11 your desire to serve us Is sincere why you aided the Spanish officer to escape What could I say Could I tell him that the Spanish officer was the Senorita Lamartina fiancee of Colonel de do Fuentes and that I I. I coming to offer service to Bolivar Boll Boll- var had hind sent her back to the safety of the Spanish lines Hues Could I have hoped to make male him believe such uchi a preposterous tale Perhaps said the officer after what he lie must have ha considered a sufficient wait walt perhaps this companero companero com com- of ot yours Ours was the Dauphin In disguise eh disguise eh i We might Just as well call him the Dauphin I said lId hopelessly He offered another mirthless smile Tuca an Senor has left an evil flavor In the mouth and the blood of at man many Spaniards will willbe willbe be required to wash It out He Hc transfixed me with an accusing e eye e Who sent you OU here Manuel said I. I He lIe gasped You say Manuel sent you A Aye c the thc swarthy Manuel the clever ugly sailor who happens to tobe tobe tobe be that portion of the trains brains of Bolivar which operates In Car Car- acas Humph he growled He considered considered con con- my horse and I saw an acquisitive ac nc- ac- ac gleam In his black e eyes esA es A UA fine line horse Senor Aye a gift gIrt from Manuel He would look well under a n colonel dont don't you think Very well Senor though unfortunately I do not e. e expect to become u u. colonel Now he laughed but his eyes were cold and his laughter was not nut a n pleasant thing to hear The wings jou ou will soon possess Senor will render the use of at ofa a poor earth earth- I I ly horse unnecessary How I wanted to thrust my fist Into that smiling face of his to discompose the even en or order er of his teeth to get my fi fingers gers He must have sensed my murderous murderous murderous mur mur- I derous passion for tor he lie uttered a short command and two of ot the thc llaneros grasped me by the arms This officer with the bandaged head whose safety seemed so precious precious precious pre pre- cious a thing to you Senor you do not tell teli me who vho he hc Is The Dauphin will do as well as ns anyone said IVery IVery IVery I. I Very well one life Is little enough t to sp spend d to save saye the Dau Dau- phin I congratulate you The sun sun Senor Is Just coming coining over the rocky crest of at yonder onder mountain mountain- an excellent time Indeed You may mayview mayview view It as you ou die It Is more than many a poor Venezuelan has bas been permitted to do The Tue soldiers must have e anticipated anticipated antici antici- the wishes of ot their colonel for a squad of eight swung Into I line between us and tIre the sun turned to face me grounded their guns and waited I had seen so much of violence and of death since landing In Us unhappy country that already I had became hardened calloused so that I seemed to be only an un onlooker er to this my own execution and I found m myself taking very ery little Interest Interest Interest In In- terest In It I found one principal principal pal regret that I hall hail come s so near to loves love's fulfillment fulfillment and and had hud failed Yet I had taken her tier away from tram Dc De Fuentes and she had bad put her ber life Ufe Into my han hands s I smiled at the tho thought of oC her ber masquerade Had I penetrated her disguise earlier how beautiful that silver night would have e been Well Vell I 1 had won a portion of her ber love lo I hugged that consolation to m my heart as as' as the cynical colonel gave gUve gaven n a crisp order that caused the two Indians to release me mc and to stand clear so an errant bullet might not find themI them I 1 am ready Senor said II II II I. I I want you to know he lie said slowly his eyes upon the fine bay bayhorse bayhorse horse that had carried me from Caracas that I believe every ery word you have baye told me I I 1 believe belle you jou ou are Loren oren Garde an American and that you have come to otter offer service ser to General Bolivar sl I believe Manuel Manuel Manuel Man Man- uel sent you rou here and mid that he be furnished furnished furnished fur fur- the mount for you ou but your o-a o own act In permitting aye permitting aye aiding the aiding the Spanish officer to to- toeS e eScape eS es escape cape condemns you ou It makes no difference who he Is If It he Is a Spanish o officer icer your our life Is for for- feit felt The men of Bolivar must be made of at sterner stuff 1 I am sure his excellency himself would never neer condone such nn an nn act If there Is something you ou wish to s say y A few loiterers had hind gathered to watch tire time execution and one aHe a n nHe r. r Of Lo r I 1 w I 4 I i IU 1 j 0 IJ J I IV V 1 h l I He Radiated a Vibrant t Sort of Energy Energy Energy En En- ergy That Deader My Faculties tall taB commanding figure that seemed familiar disengaged Itself from the group Francisco I cried Fran Francisco isco Perez Aqui It Though I bad had fought the scheming patriot at eYer every turn I was sure he be stood my friend Who Is It It he asked It Is I San Garde-San Garde San Isidro Dont Don't you ou remember me me rue I I Iwas was on the Santa L Lucrecia crecia and In in New Or Or- leans I have d dyed ed I my thy 1 hair Francisco strode forward a half- half smile softening the grim lines of his face tace He held up his his hand Walt VaIt Colonel Pint Pini h he ie said I 1 know this man Colonel scowled scowl d. d What of at atIt It Francisco has he not not to Yes my colonel he has hns committed committed com corn a grave offense and he be should pay with his life Ufe but I would talk to him first If It he be Is from tram Manuel anuel he might have e things to tell us He Is an America Americano o who has merely followed the lure of a lovely lady Does the time lady then bring him here bere No said I I. I for tor I had brought the lad lady Did the lady send the Spanish officer with you jou ou C Colonel lonel PinI laughed This Dauphin whose safety No C Colonel my companion was the Senorita Dulce Lamartina Mother of G G-d G d Francisco Fi gasped and PInts PinEs high laughter I beat out over ver the hills I A builder of fairy tales said PinI Could the Americano have entered Caracas and ridden awa away with the lady whom Fuentes Intended Intended intended In In- InI I tended to marry Can you believe that stor story i I 1 waited My Colonel said Francisco at last this young oung Americano o Is not the t type pe of ot man who lies easily though the tale Is hardly credible If he be has bas sent back to safety the lady whom he lie followed to Caracas as he must have had good reason for forso forso so 50 doing Why the crafty Manuel Mnnuel has directed them to the tue lines Unes of the revolution we d do not know nor can we question Manuel who enjoys s 's the faith and love loe of Bolivar I J. J think therefore the safest will be to take tale him to the general generI who hearing his story will m decide dedde de de- de- de cide his fate Colonel PinI smiled smile Very well Francisco but If It Bolivar approves his execution the horse Is mine remember I 1 shall shaH not forget Francisco said And if It the grea great Simon do does s snot not approve I I. I fear for thee my colonel because the Viking nurses a healthy hatred 1 I CHAPTER VII Simon Bolivar r. r A AS TilE THE three of ot us rode slowly down the bench belch toward Coma Cama- tn tagua ua where Bolivar had hall his headquarters headquarters headquarters head head- quarters I gave e a to Iran an account of at all that had befallen since the waives es ha hind had cast me nw Into the Jungle The sun was hl high h when we approached at ut last the Insignificant cant town 0 o Camatagua which been because use of the presence of the Liberator Lib Lih- had assum an aspect of ot great Importance n Bolivar had become In my Imagination imagination Imag Imag- n a sort of superhuman In Influence In- In fluence a mortal reef barrier-reef upon upon- which the attacks of Spain had broken and spent their force I wondered what manner of at man he was this |