The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-07
RS OF FOR TUNE. by RICHARD ARDING DAVIS

and his daughter at the Presidents table.
Nine. Alvarez pointed TO a place for him
tcside Alice I.angham. who held up her
hand in welcome.
You were very foolish to rush on Ike
that" she said.
1T wasn't there" said Clay. crowd!iS
into the place beside her.
No. IL was here In the carriage all the
time. CAPTAIN Stuart found II for me"
oh. he old. did he"' said Clay; that's
whS / couldn't find II. l am hungry" he
laughed: INV ride gave me- an appetite.
He looked over and grinned at stuart. but
that gentleman was staring ityed!y at the
candles on th- table before him. his eyes
filled with concern. Clay observed that
Nine. Alvarez WAS Coyertly watching the
yu,lng Off Ger and frownins her disa pprOvai
at his pIeUCcupatiDn. So he stretched ms
leg under the table and kicked viciously at
Stuart's boots. Old General kOjas. the Vice
President. who sat next To stuart. moved
suddenly. and then blinkei violently AT the
ceiling with an expression OF patient sUf-
fering, but the exclamation which had sS-
capped him brought Stuart back TO TIE PIES
ent. and he talked with the woman next
him In Il perfunct"ry manner.
Miss Langham and her father were wait
ing for their carriage IN the srsat nall
of the palace as Stuart came up 70 Clay,
and, putting his hand affecti"nhteiy on his
shoulder. began pointing to something far
Their hacl; In the hall. TO the niGht-birds al
the street ana the uUisy fdcre drivers out
side. and to the crowd Of guests who stood
on the high raarhl. steps waiting for their
turn to depart, he might have been relating
an amusing anecdcte Of ;he ball Just over.
I'm I'm great trouble. old man. vas
what Re said. II must see you alone TO-
night. FL ask you to my rooms. but they
watch me all the time. and l don't want
them TO suspect you are in this until they
must. 90 on In the carTa9e but get out
AS yol: pass the Plaza BOLIVAR ana wait for
ne by H. statue there
clay smiled. apparently in great amuse-
mrnt.
That's very good" he said.
He crossed over to where King stood
| surveying the powdered beauties OF Olan-
cho and their gowns OF a past fashion. Win
an intensity OF admiration when would
have been suspicious TO those VINO Knew ms
tastes. When We get into the carriage"
! said clay. in Il low voice. I'VE will both
call to Stuart that VT Will see him to-
morrow morning al breakfast
"All right" assented King. What's up"
Stuart helped Miss Langham into her
carriage, and as Il moved away king
shouted to him in English to remember
that he was breakfasting with him on the
morrow. and Clay called out in Spanish:
Until tomorrow at breakfast. don't for
get And Stuart answered. steadily:
Goodnight, until tomorrow at l."
AS their carriage iolted through the dark
| and narrow street, empty now Of all noise
| or movement. one Of Stuart's troopers
dashed by it at a sailop. with a lighted
! lantern swinging at his side. He raised It
as he passed each street corner, and held
1t high above his head, so that It's light
fell upon the walls Of the houses ut the
four corners. The clatter OF his horses
hpofs had not ceased before another troop
er gaIloped toward them. riding more slow
ly. and throwing the light Of his lantern
over the trunks OF the trees that lined the
pavernents. AZ the carriage passed him. he
brought his horse to its side with n jerk
OF the birdie. and swung his lantern in
the faces Of lie occupants.
Who Iives?' he challenged.
'OIancho." Clay replied.
who answers"
Free men," Clay answered again. and
pointed at the star on his coat.
The soldier muttered an apology. and
striking his heels Into his horses side
dashed noisiiy away. his lantern tossing
from side to side. high in the air. as he
drew rein TO scan each tree and passed
from one lamppost TO the next.
What does that mean" said Mr.. Lang
ham: did he take us for highwaymen?'
1t is the custom" said Clay. " are
out rather late. you see"
IF I membe rightly. Clay" said King.
they gave a ball at Brussels on the eve Of
Waterloo
4 believe they did" said Clay. smiling.
He spoke to the driver to stop the car
rage. and stepped down into the street.
Il have to leave you here" he said:
drive on quickly. please; l can explain
better In the morning"
The Plaza Bolivar stood in what had
once been the center Of the fashion
able life OF blanche. but the town
had moved farther up the hill.
and It was now far in the suburbs. its
walks neglected and its turf overrun with
weeds. The houses about it had fallen into
disuse. and the few that were still cccu-
pied at the time Clay entered IT showed no
sign Of life. Clay picked his way over the
Srass-grown paths to the statue OF Boil
var. the hero of the sister Republic Of
Venezuela. which still stood on its Pc