The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-08-10

murk1Dle ufeSS or observe InaL the
eyes of the men as well as the women
followed him wherever he went.
He was genuinely startled, therefore,
when fan tapped him lightly on the
shoulder and a sweet voice pronounced
his name. He turned to see woman's
rayishing 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 filmy lace
that rested upon 1t. She must be young
and beautiful Quin thought.
'Senorita.' he hazarded, "you have
the advantage of me-
"Are you sure that we have never
met. Senior Quin? What would you
give to see my face?"
"Name your price," he answered.
A rippling peal Of laughter was the
reply, and the girl glided off into the
crowd, turning once to look back.
Quin's curiosity was aroused. and he
followed. He lost her for short time
and then discovered her at distance
talking to O mask who wore the uni.
form of Spanish officer. On the spur
of the moment he turned to man Of
erect and military bearing, costumed
as Cuban planter.
.Sir. can you tell me the name Of
that lady. the one by the wall convers-
ing with the otticer?" he inquired.
''From her figure was the courteous
reply. II am satisfied that she is the
Senorita Inpz Carajo."
'''l'he daughter ef Juan Carajo, the
mercLSatY
1.-THE same"
81 was not aware that he had a
daughter" said Quin.
"Then you must indeed be stranger
in Manila. senor. The Senorita Carajo
is the jewel of our fair capitalize
Pearl of the Philippines, she is called.
She has rejected numerous offers of
marriage and is said to be still heart
free. Her father guards her very close
ly, and ! am surprised that she should
be here tonight
Just then Quin's mask slipped down,
and for a brief instant his features,
which were bronZed to the color of
Spaniard's. We're revealed. lie quickly
replaced the mask, thanked his inform
ant and passed on. 1t was his inten-
tion to seek out the girl and beat her
at her own game by challenging her
identity. But after searching vainly
for half an hour he gave up the quest
and stood leaning against the wall.
A few minutes later. when he was
on the point Of leaving. he heard
sudden commotion at the far end of
the room. mingled with loud voices.
The turmoil increased, and the dance
music stopped. Quin would have gone
forward to see what had happened,
but just then the object Of his recent
search glided up to him.
"Come this way" she said. And to
Quin's surprise she drew him behind
nearby pair of curtains into dark
passage.
at is well; none saw u.s." she whis-
pered as she peered out. "You are In
great danger, Senior Quin. You must
escape from the house at once"
Quin was too bewildered to reply.
at is said that the rebel leader. Pc
rez, is present tonight daringly cos
tuned in his own uniform" the girl
continued in an agitated voice. "You
are under suspicion, and the soldiers
have come to take you-hark! They
are approachingv'
''But can easily prove my identity"
"Not In time, senior. The crowd
would kill you In their passion and re-
gret their haste afterward. Quicki
You must escape at once"
Int
now convinced of his peril.
''This passage leads to the dressing
room. from which a window opens on
the garden. Thence you can gain the
street II the grounds are not surround
ed. Leave the town at daybreak, as
you Intended. and do not send back the
clothes that my father lent you. else 1t
may give him trouble. | will explain
to him
"Then you are the daughter Of Juan
Carajo"
"Yes."
'Will you lift your mask, that I may
remember you with gratitude?"
The girl Instantly acceded to the re-
quest, and by the dim light Quin saw a
face Of such regal beauty as he had
never beheld In the course of his wan
derlng life.
snow go-go at oncep the senorita
whispered. and with that she slipped
between the curtains and vanished.
Quin heard the commotion swelling
to roar within the ballroom. and he
did not hesitate an instant. He darted
to the end Of the passage. opened a
door and found himself In the empty
dressing room. In trice he had DON
ned his coat and cap and flung the reb.
el headpiece into corner. The window
was open. and he dropped into the gar
den. Under cover of the thick shrub
berry he gained the farther end. and
after making sure that no soldiers were
about he scaled the wall. He was
now In a dark and lonely quarter OF
the town. with little to fear. The out
cry soon faded behind him, and 20
minutes Of brisk walking brought him
to his own little villa on the outskirts.
He was convinced that he was wen
out Of the scrnpe, and he slept soundly
through the remainder OF the night.
At the first flush of dawn he started
for the interior at the head Of his little
procession OF natives and pack mules.