We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
78
THE MOTION PICTURE STORY MAGAZINE.
THE ARMY OF SANTA ANNA HAD FORMED.
three being high representatives of the unconquerable spirit of the American people. Military discipline was, however, so lax that Mexicans of supposed friendly attitude mingled with the revelers.
Senor Navarre appeared and exhibited a degree of effrontery which would have awakened the suspicions of any but men so insanely self-confident that they seemed to court destruction. His attentions to Lucy Dickenson were bold enough to excite her bitter resentment, yet were allowed by her natural protector to pass unheeded. Had the lieutenant's wife been a deliberate coquette she could not have adopted a surer course to stimulate the Mexican's passion than that of displaying her hatred for him. To men of his race a woman's resistance meant invitation. He had been secretly nourishing for the American girl a passion whose strength lay in the higher quality of her appeal ; his own country women were too easy; this one held him at arm's length. Wherever she moved he was in her train, until others fell away and gave him opportunity.
"I have something important to tell you," he whispered; "you are in great danger; if you will come with me to the plaza I will explain."
That she recoiled with instinctive
distrust had no significance for one who would have brought destruction upon the best of human kind to obtain the woman he wanted. He continued with the recklessness of a man who has but one object in life, and that one at stake.
"I have good reason to hate Santa Anna. He is destroying the independence we wrested from Spain with a view to making himself dictator and conveying Mexican claims this side of the Eio Grande to your Government for the millions he expects to personally appropriate. His army is only a demonstration, but if he knew that this garrison was so weak he would take it for the impression he would be able to create."
"He is six hundred miles away," said the lieutenant's wife.
Navarre's lips curled in a derisive smile.
"As you will," he replied. "Santa Anna's ignorance of your weakness is only surpassed by yours of his position. He was six hundred miles away several weeks ago, but where can he be when a message is brought thru the lines to me, indicating that he is at our doors ?"
The American girl drew herself up proudly.