Page:Under three flags; a story of mystery (IA underthreeflagss00tayliala).pdf/286

 Hilario, I have a plan. You must join the senorita and myself in marriage."

"Marry you? Impossible!" exclaims the astonished padre. Have the American's troubles driven him insane?

"Impossible nothing. Easiest thing in the world if the lady is willing," is Ashley's cheerful response. "Now, listen to me, father. Don Quesada is a fugitive, and his daughter, being a Cuban, is amenable to the laws of this country. From the Spanish government she would not likely receive much earnest protection or reparation for any wrongs she might suffer. But when she becomes Mrs. Jack Ashley," says Jack, dramatically, working up to a mild enthusiasm, "she is then an American citizen and as such she will be under the protection of a flag that the Spaniard dare not affront with impunity. You get the idea, eh?"

"Impossible, impossible, I tell you," repeats Father Hilario. "You are not a Catholic, Senor Ashley; the senorita is. Besides, the consent of her father"

"This is no time for quibbling over technicalities. Would you see a woman, your friend's daughter, insulted, perhaps murdered, when a few words from your lips would save her?"

"I would do my duty," replies the priest, calmly. "The idea is madness. I cannot bring the senorita here, and you cannot reach the church."

"Oh, I'll be there in season," is the cool response. "Just leave the way from your house to the church open to me."

"If you have any message to send the senorita, you must make haste, adjures the priest. "The carcelero is approaching."

"It will be brief," replies Ashley. Then hurriedly: "Go to her at once. Comfort her. Pray with her. And tell her that I will be with her before the sun rises. Say nothing about the marriage. I prefer to do my own proposing. But, above all, remain with her until I come."

Then, in a different tone, as the cell door is swung open by the carcelero: "Many thanks, dear father, for your kindly visit and spiritual solace. I have made my