"You, Guardie?"
"Yes, when I was very, very young—a mere boy of thirteen—I joined a colony of Communists."
"I wish I could have seen you at thirteen," Elena cried, with a joyous laugh.
The laugh died suddenly and a frown overspread her face as Norman appeared.
"I want you and Elena to hear our orator to-day, Governor," Norman said, with enthusiasm. "We are going to make it a great day."
"It's already great, my boy—I've just got the news."
"What news?"
The Colonel drew a telegram from his pocket.
"A message from Washington. Sampson and Schley have annihilated the Spanish fleet. Admiral Cervera is a prisoner on board the flagship, and the army is rapidly closing in on the doomed city of Santiago."
He handed the telegram to Norman, who glanced at it in silence and returned it to his father.