Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-07-17

ed by Magellan In 1921. have since
been held and jealously guarded by the
Spaniards. And to the present day.
with the exception Of the populous sea-
port towns. they are almost a terra In
cognita: the interior Is comparatively
unexplored and unknown. This fact
coming to the attention OF Karl Ham,
rach & Co suggested the advisability
OF an expedition on small scale, not
SO much for the purpose Of collecting
wild animals or curios rs for ascertain
ing the natural resources Of the coun-
try and paving the way for future
operations. Matthew Quin favored the
plan. and he readily undertook to carry
II ont. the more because he had been to
Manila on a previous occasion and
spoke Spanish fiuently.
He left England unaccompanied late
In the year 1897. when the recent re-
bellion against Spanish rule had been
apparently crushed and there was liz.
tie likelihood Of its breaking out again.
He had reasons for keeping his true
purpose a secret-Hamrach & Co. did
not want any rivals In the field. and so
he went ostensibly as an English
sportsman in quest Of big game. he
carried the necessary papers TO support
this role, and they were promptly vised
by the Spanish authorities when he
reached Manila. which was on the ID
OF January. 1898. A week Was sufii-
cient to complete his arrangements
and to map out his course. He hired
temporarily small house on the out
skirts OF the town. engaged the serv-
ices OF dozen natives who knew
something Of the interior and bought
what supplies he needed from Senor
Carajo. a wealthy Spanish merchant.
Daybreak OF the 10th was the time
Quin fixed upon for his departure. On
the evening Of the Sth he received n
visit from Senor Carajo. who handed
him u card and explained that It was
an invitation TO a ball TO be given the
next night by General Augustine. the
commandant Of the garrison Quin
while grateful for the courtesy. at first
declined the Invitation on the plea OF
his early start for the interior.
"Ah. but you should go!' the senor
sight And you need not remain late"
But II Is fancy dress affair, ac-
cordlng to the card" Quin pointed out
THAT can be easily arranged" was
the reply. unfortunately. | am una
BILE 10 be present tomorrow night. and
II VIII give me great pleasure to send
you the costume had purchased for
the occasion. II 10 q novel one and will
assuredly attract attention. II Is
dress similar to that worn by the In
surgent officers In the field"
Under the circumstances Quin alter.
ed his decision and reluctantly agreed
to 60. There seemed no other way out
Of the difficulty unless he should run
the risk OF offending his kind friend,
who had taken the trouble to procure
the card OF invitation. Moreover. on
further reflection he rather liked the
idea Of mingling In disguise with the
cream OF Manila's society.
"TIl leave at respectable hour" he
concluded. "for | must have some
sleep before starting In the morning.
Senor Carajo was as good as his
word. The following day he sent the
costume, which consisted Of embrold-
cred jacket and trousers, a gaudy sash
with knotted ends and broad brim.
med hat A black mask was also In
cluded.
Until the dusk Of the evening Quin
was busy with the fnal preparations
for his journey. Then he got into the
clothes. which fitted him perfectly. 1t
was the cool season. 20 he put on
long light coat. concealing the hat un-
der II. and wearing cap on bis head.
He walked through the town to the
main quarter. where was situated the
pslatial residence Of General Angus
tine. standing liz q fine garden. On
presentation Of bis card-he had al
ready donned his mask-he was con-
Quoted to q dressing room. He
emerged q few moments later and
mixed with the brilliant throng.
1t was a highly fascinating scene
without doubt Several hundred mask.
ed persons Of both sexes, representing
almost as many different characters,
were strolling about In the splendid
apartments Of the Spanish comman-
dant or dancing to the strains Of MILL
tary band. The flowers and palms
were superb and the refreshments OF
the best. All was happiness and gay.
ETY.. Merry jests and rollicksome sport
abounded. There was no sign OF the
cloud that loomed on the horizon. the
warcloud occasioned by the critical
phase which the relations between
Spain and the United States were
steadily nearing. Moreover. Quin had
heard that morning that the leader OF
the late rebellion was believed to be In
the town for the purpose Of gathering
recruits for fresh rising. This terri
BILE and much dreaded man. Francisco
Perez, had very nearly been victorious
in the previous year. He had good
blood In him and was well educated.
He was q fearless fighter and an able
general, and yet. so cunning had he al
ways been. his features were familiar
to none Of the Spanish officers.
For an hour Quin wandered about.
feeling a bit lonely In spite Of the coy
but fruitless attentions Of various
masked ladies. The fair sex had but
slight. charm for him. and he was In
different TO their advances. nor did he
overnear the comments upon his re
markable dress or observe that the
eyes Of the men as well as the women
followed him wherever he went
He was genuinely startled. therefore.
when a fan tapped him lightly on the
shoulder and sweet voice pronounced
his name. He turned to see woman's
ravishing figure costumed as the Span
ish flag. Pearly teeth and coral lips
peeped from under her mask, and her
hair was as black as the flmy lace
that rested upon It. She must be young
and beautiful. Quin thought
"Senorita." he hasarded. you have
the advantage Of me-"
'.Are you sure that we have never
met Senior Quin? What would you
give to see my facer
Name your price," he answered.
A rippling peal Of laughter was the
reply, and the girl giided on into the
crowd. turning once to look back