Page:Under three flags; a story of mystery (IA underthreeflagss00tayliala).pdf/133

 "Cuba?" she repeats, dreamily. "Ah, I should like to visit that country some day."

Don Manada looks up with swift hope. "You would, senora? Then you shall!" he cries. "We will leave to-morrow on my vessel. I will be your slave. You have but to speak and every wish will be gratified. You will do me this favor," he urges, and then, with the fervor and descriptive powers of a Claude Melnotte, he proceeds to paint a fascinating picture with a tropical background, his enthusiasm fired by ravishing glances from his companion.

"Quite an escapade you have outlined," smiled Isabel. "But it is too prosy. If the voyage promised a dash of adventure, if it were spiced with an element of danger, I" she pauses and lifts the wineglass slowly to her lips.

"Danger?" echoes Don Manada, with a curious smile. "Dios! The voyage might not be without all the adventure your heart could desire, senora." He takes from his pocket a newspaper clipping and hands it to Isabel, after a glance about him to make certain that they are unobserved. The clipping is from the current edition of the Hemisphere. It is a dispatch from Key West, and a portion of it reads as follows:

"This city has been in a fever of excitement all day over the report that an important filibustering expedition is to leave New York this week to aid the Cuban insurgents. The report is backed by excellent authority, and there is no doubt that an effort will be made to send valuable assistance to the patriots of the Antilles some time during the week. In some way the United States authorities and the Spanish government have got wind of the proposed expedition and they are striving to nip it in the bud. The Spanish warship Infanta Isabel this morning steamed from this harbor for the purpose, one of her officers said, of intercepting the filibusters on the high seas.

"It is also stated that a prominent and gallant member of the Cuban revolutionary society will head the expedition, but his identity has not been disclosed."