And so for eleven whole long days, in their petitions to God, in church and night and morning in their room, they invoked His blessing upon the Cristobal's filibustering mission. It was an anxious time. The period of excitement over, the interval of suspense made their spirits droop. None of the usual amusements diverted them. Even Will's now ardent attentions, which had provoked some teasing in the bosom of his family, were slighted in the strain of the long wait until, boylike, and chafing under the apparent neglect, he had impetuously sought explanations from Manuela. What she told him is not a part of the conspiracy, but from that hour there were two secrets kept in the Franklin dwelling. And when he hurried home each afternoon with The News, that they might carefully examine it for anything bearing on his father's expedition, there was a double motive in the eagerness with which Manuela met him at the door. It was Wednesday week before the first news came. General Moreto, who had left them on the day after Captain Franklin had passed Cape Henry outward bound, telegraphed as follows: Glorious news; San Luis taken. We must have done it. The girls were excitedly reading the account in The News of the victory by Pino Guerra when this cable dispatch came to them from Catherine's father: Bocas del Toro. Costa Rica, Aug. 22. Machinery transferred; no trouble. FRANKLIN. Both girls cried from happiness at the relief. "Oh! Catherine," said Manuela as she sobbed on the latter's neck, "I'm so glad I knew you at Notre Dame!" "And I'm glad we struck a blow for Cuba libre," rejoined Catherine. "It may mean annexation," said Will, as he deftly slipped his arm around Manuela's waist. The Cuban girl grew rosy red. Catherine was quick to understand: Cuba might be freed, but one individual who had labored for it was going to be annexed. "I'm so happy!" she cried. And she kissed both warmly and left them to tell her mother of the latest beneficent example of American assimilation. _A Two-Party Line_ I. (Tuesday, October 23, 1906.) HE--Hello! Is this Central? Well, give---- SHE--No, it is not Central, and I wish you'd please get off the line. HE--I beg your pardon, I thought you were the girl at Central. SHE--No, I am not. I wish you wouldn't break in. The line's busy. You were saying, Evelyn---- HE--I'm sorry to bother you. I don't seem to be able to get Central. SHE--I do wish you would leave us alone! You were describing that dress you wore at the Marlborough dance, Evelyn. EVELYN--How is he on this wire? SHE--I don't know. I suppose he has the other 'phone on this line. HE--I beg your pardon again. Do I understand you to say this is a two-party line? SHE--What number are you? HE--Wait till I read it. Why this is Madison 7-9-3-1-y. SHE--And I'm Madison 7-9-3-1-m. So you see, we're on the same wire. Please get off. HE--I beg both of your pardons, ladies. But I'm trying to get a doctor for my mother.