The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-06-13

The fiat roof Of the cafe OF the Lion
dor is set out as garden, with or
ange trees growing against the para
pets. and elephants ears and other
tropical foliage plants stood here and
there in round green tubs. Around II
are the other roofs of the city, which,
with the street between, look like some
white rocky plain cut up by steep can
yons. A glow comes from these depths
below. and with it the blurred hum of
people. But nothing articulate gets up
10 the Lion dor and in the very fish
ness of the noise there is something in
describably fascinating. Moreover, it is
a place, too, where the firefiieS of Val
paraiso most do congregate- Saving for
the lamps of heaven, they have no
other lighting on that roof. The own
ers (who are Israelites), pride them
air of mystery; it has made it the
natural birthplace of plots above num-
bering, and it has brought them profit
almost beyond belief. Your true plot
ter, when his estacy comes upon him,
is not the man to be niggardly with
the purse. He is alive and glowing
then; he may very possibly be dead
tomorrow; and in the meanwhile money
is useless, and the things that money
can buy-and the very best of their
sort-are most desirable.
One whispered hint did Mr.. Silva give
to Captain Kettle as they made their
way together up the white stone steps.
DO you know who and what our
hostess is?'' he asked.
"A very nice young lady" replied
the mariner promptly, with a fine
taste in Suppers."
she is all that" said Silva. But
she also happens to be the richest wom-
an in Chile. Her father owned mines
innumerable, and when he came by his
dollar he had to Donna Clotilde's entire
disposal. By some unfortunate over
sight personal fear has been left out
of her composition, and she seems
anxious to add it to the list of her
requirements
Captain Kettle puckered his brows.
Il don't seem to understand you," he
said
L say this" Silva murmured, be
cause there seems no other way to eX-
plain the keenness with which she
hunts after personal danger. AT pres
ent she is intriguing against President
Quijarra's government. Well, we all
know that Quijarra is a brigand, just
as his successor was before him. The
man who succeeds him in the presi-
dency of Chile will be brigand also.
1t is the custom of my country. But
interfering with brigandage is a tick
lish operation. and Quijarra is always
scrupulous to wiring the neck of any
one whom he thinks at all likely to in
terfere with his peculiar methods"
Il should say that from this point of
view" said Kettle, The was acting
quite rightly. SIR
Il thought you'd look at it sensibly,"
said Silva. We'll, captain. here we are
at the top of the stair. Don't you think
you had better change your mind and
slip away now, and go back to your
quarters?"
Why, no. SIR" said Captain Kettle.
From what you tell me it seems pos
sible that Miss Lo Touche may shortly
be seeing trouble, and it would give me
pleasure to be near and ready to bear
a hand. She is a lady for whom l have
got considerable regard. That supper.
sir, which we have just eaten. and the
wine are things which will live in my
memory"
He stepped out on the roof and
Donna Clotilde came to meet him. She
linked her fingers upon his arm and led
him apart from the rest. At the further
angle of the gardens they leaned their
elbows upon the parapet and talked,
whilst the glow from the street below
family lit their faces and the firefies
winked behind their backs.
Il thank you captain. for your offer"
she said at length, and l accept it as
posals of similar service before, but
they came from the wrong sort.
wanted a man. and / found out that
you were that before you had been at
the dinner table five minutes"
Captain Kettle bowed to the compli-
ment. But" said he, IF 1 am that
have all of a mans failings.''
Il like them BETTER said the lady
than a half mans virtues. And as a
proof l offer you command of my
navy"
Your navy, miss?"
1T has yet to be formed" said Dom
ma Clotilde, and you must form it,
But once we make the nucleus, other
ships of the existing force will desert !
to US and with those we must fight and
beat the rest. Once we have the navy, |
we can lombard the ports into submits /
sion till the country thrusts out Pres !
Quijarra of. its own accord, and sets
me up in his place"
90" said Kettle. Il didn't under |
stand. Then you want to be queen of |
Chili?"
President"
But president is a man. isn't he?"
Why? Answer me that"
Because, well because they always |
have been, Miss
Because men up to now have always |
taken the best things TO themselves. |
Well. captain, all that is changing: the |
world is moving on: and women are /
forcing their way in and taking their
proper place. You say that no state
mas yet had a woman president? You
are quite right. l shall be the first"
captain Kettle puckered his brow
and looked thoughtfully down into the
lighted street beneath. But presently
ne made up his mind, and spoke again
III accept your offer. miss. to COM
mand the navy, and I'll do the work
we'll You may rely on that Although
/ say it myself. you'd find it hard to
get a better man. / know the kind of
OrCtes one has to ship as seamen
along this South American coast. and
| m the sort of brute TO handle them.
BY James, yes, and you shall see me
make them do most things, short of
But there's one other thing
miss / ought to say. and l must apolo-
glze for mentioning it, seeing that
You re not business person. | must
have my Gl2 a month and all found.
know it's lot. and l know you'll tell l.
me wages are down just now But L
couldn't do il for less. miss. Com
navy's a strong order. and
besides, there's considerable risk to be
counted in as we'll"
Donna Clotilde took his hand in both
hers 1 thank you, captain she said
Tor your offer. and l begin to see sue
cess ahead from this moment. You :
need have no fear on the question of
I hope you didn't mind my mention
ng 1t, said Kettle nervously. u know
IS not thing generally spoken of TO
aides But, you see miss, I'm moor
nan. and feel the need of money some
lines. OF course, s12 month is high.
out
NV dear cantain ,, tho ,.a,. -. Il