The morning times., 1897-02-14

gan and riding the man down But presently
the two shook their brides and went on at
round gait, and the young Congressman,
who had unconsciousiy followed them,
turned and took another road, very un-
fitted for his duties
Perhaps Mr.. Bentinck would have been
still more untitled had he heard the con-
versation of the riders as they went their
way.
lie S Important the man was saying;
las important as your Senators. The hostile
business interest in his district is immense.
1t can make him or break him. 1t can drive
MIN TO open measures of hostility that may
ruin US. 1t can demand them of him or ruin
him, poor devil! | hate to make him
tool There is something frank and gener-
Gus In his bearing that takes the heart but
needs must for the cause. Add it up against
the Spaniard. His birth, his breeding, his
wealth, all make him a power in another
way. And then the money behind him, the
money of those people that can run over
into elections. He is new here, but what
he asks of the administration he is very
likely To have. Yes, If yoi can silence him.
can only keep him silent,i you do well''
Perhaps / may do better
In what way?' was the quick question.
II may have him espotise the cause-it
is not 1mrossibe-g give his wealth, his
talent, his name I'd itn
He will not come back here for second
term, them r.
'Ah, well, what then? There are as
good things in life as serving in that pan
demonium up there
Il did not ask for so much as that
'1ou shall have it, though. All>things
are fair in love and war"
We'll, when Cuba is free he can have
his reward, for then there will be nothing
you cannot claim and have. The work you
are doing in making these friends, in
silencing these enemies and these possible
enemies, is equal to guns. But going on
with all vour lovers you are like a juggler
with his golden balls in the air. How long
can you keep them in play? You Were
rather daring With Bentinck, | should say"
1T was necessary to startle him, to
arrest him. But l fancy-I don't know
it seems to me just now thatDellah never
bound Samson with stronger withes.'
God grant you are not overconfident
my Gloria! 1t is hard that you should sac
rifice yourself so, but it is for our coun-
try, our dear countryr'
''our dear country, Virglo!'' and they
leaned across their saddles. and he kissed
her on the cheek.
Nor was Mr.. Beutinck made easier in his
mind by the sight of Gloria, later in the
day, lunching in the Senate restaurant
with Nine. D'Arco, and Senator knownto
look unfavorably on the Cuban preteDsions,
although her bow and smile seemed to
beckon him 10 her side. and she asked him
when he came'if he were too busy to walk
down the Avenue with her. He would
have walked down the Avenue with her If
the whole business OF all the United States
had come to Il standstll.
But even walking down the Avenue with
her alone for SHE had sent Nine. d 'Arco
home in tine carriage-was not an unal-
loyed bliss, for a S they swept along he
could not help noting strange glances of
recog milton in GloTia's eyes, as they
passed this and that dark stranger in the
slouched hat, twirlng his big mustachiOs
sulkily, and more than once the hat was
doffed and the word was exchanged in
passing. And these loungers, these fill
bUster-looking sCamps, should have the
right to speak to her seemed a sort Of
sacrilege that he would have liked to
avenge ON the spot. But then he knew he
would be content with nothing less than
taking her away into some far region guard
ed by flaiaing sword.
Il rode this morning, and have not
been in the saddle before for some weeks,
and it is good to walk she said
Yes he replied. Il ode, too ! saw
you ~,
~. .
"Join riders who. clasp each others
hands they ridc?''
She turned and looked at him mo-
ment, and then she laughed. "Youmight,"
she said. 'Alas slall not long have his
hand to cIaspr' She. added, the laugh dis
appearing and a wave OF something like
languish sweeping over the face, wave
Of something like despair sweeping after
it into Bentinck's heart,
She did lot speak again for some time,
looking the other way. AT some time
l should Ike to have you know him. she
said at length. But at present-see low
l trust you-at present there is rlice on
his head. Still, he is toerably safe here,
I SUPP oSe, safe until lie reaches Cuban
waters. He is the person / love best" A
sw word thrust seemed TO divide Bentnck's
very being. Il mean-perhaps- oh, yes, he
isthc one love best i'll all the world. Heis
my brother, my dear brother Virgilio."
The sword thrust healed and made itself
Whole in the manner of miracle. "God
bless our dear brother yirgilior' exclaimed
Bentinck.
she turned again, the sunshine of a swift
smile breaking through the tears that brim-
bor ci, b,I1
hand. "Oh,' she cried,"I am your friend
My hand upon it," And If the passersby
thought the movement extraordinary they
would any Of them have been glad to be
party to it.
'.And you will ride with me some day?''
he said.
'Ah, that is another question: she re-
piled.
Just then the wind that was rising blew
out the flag from the top of the unfinished
Monument, and the western sun struck it
SO that it's dyes had a deepened splendor
Bentinck saw it, and it shared with every
thing else in his feeling that today the uni-
verse was something perfect She saw his
glance.
Yes she said, 'it is like a great
flower there, a great flower born out of
the sky. You love it; you revere it; you
would die for it. Then you know how
feel, low we feel, for our own flag. Oh,
yes, you must come to me now and let
me tell you the whole story, its dark side
dipped in blood, it's bright side-oh, it
has bright side-white, white as the
light on the souls of heroes. Let me see
We dine with the Chileans, and tonight
it is the opera. After the opera-no that
will ro5 do Well, sufficient unto the day
i am I OF much like Your idea of a West