The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-11-16
CHAPTER I1I-coNT1yUED,

SkhAf@kGfN
They In their turn did not escape from
notice or The two sisters would
have been conspicuous anywhere-in a
queens drawing-room or on an Indian res
ervatfon. Theirs was a type that the cabal-
leros and senoritas did not know. With them
dark hair was always associated with dark
| compilations, the rich duskiness of which
was always vulgarized by a coat of pow
der. and this fair blending Of pink and white
skin under masses OF black hair was
strangely new. SO that each OF the few
women who were to be met on the street
turned to look after the carriage, while .he
American women admired their mantillas,
and felt that the straw sailor hats they
wore had become heavy and unfeminine.
Clay was very happy in picking out what
was most characteristic and pictur-
esque. and every street into which
he directed the driver to take
them seemed to possess some building or
monument that was of peculiar interest.
They did not know that he had mapped
out this ride many times before, and was
taking them over q route which he had al
ready travelled with them in Imagination.
King knew what the capital would be like
before he entered Il. from his experience
of other South American cities. but he acted
as though 1t were all new to him, and al
lowed Clay to explain and to give the rea-
son for those features of the place that
were unusual and characteristic. Clay no.
~ S"AS oAA 0bfSoANA " h s
to time. when he was in doubt. but the
other only smiled back and shook his head.
as much as to sa-. This Is your city; they
would rather hear about it from you"
Clay took them to the principal shops.
where the two girls held whispered con-
situations over lace mantillas, which they
had at once determined to adopt. and
bought the gorgeous paper fans, covered
with brilliant pictures Of bullhghters in
suits of silver tinsel, and from these open
eN.A- 10 Il $780, --.. - l
where there was old silver and precious
hand-painted fans CT mother-of-pearl that
had been pawned by families who had
risked and lost all In some revolution, and /,
then to another shop where two old maiden /
ladies made a particularly good guava. and
to tobacconists, where the men bought a
few of the native cigars. which, as they !
were a monopoly of the Government, were
as bad as Government m~onopolies always
are. |
Clay felt a sudden fondness for the city, |
so grateful was he to 1t for entertaining her |
as 1t did. and for putting its best front
forward for her delectation. He wanted
to thank some one for building the quaint ,
old convent. with its yellow walls washed
to an orange tint. and black in spots with
dampness. and for the fountain covered
with green moss that stood before its gate
and around which were gathered the girls
and women OF the neighborhood with red
water-tars on their shoulders, and little
donkeys buried under stacks Of yellow
sugar cane. and the negro drivers of tho
city's green watercarts. and the blue wag-
ons that carried the manufactured ice. To-
ward 5 o'clock they decided to spend the
rest Of the day in the city and to telephone
Tor the two boys to join them at La Venus,
the great restaurant on the plaza, where
Clay had invited them to dine.
He suggested that they should I'LL out
the time meanwhile by a call on tho
President. and after a search for
cards in various pocket books,
they drove to the Government Palace,
which stood in an open square in the heart
Of the city.
were leaving for their afternoon drive on
the Alameda, the fashionable parade-ground
OF the city. and the state carriage and q
squad OF cavalry appeared from the side
Of the palace as the visitors drove up to
the entrance. But at the sight Of Clay
General Alvarez and his wife retreated to
the house again and made them welcome.
The President led the men into his recep-
and entertained them with cham
payne and cigarettes, not manufactured by
Government; and his wife, after, first
conducting the girls through the state
where the late sunlight
shone gloomily on strange old portraits of
Presidents and victorious Cen
erals. and garfsh yellow silk furniture,
brought them to her own apartments, and
gave them tea after q civilized fashion,, and
showed them how glad she was to see some
me of her own world again.
During their short visit Nine. Alvarez
talked a greater part of the time herself,
addressing what she said to Miss Langham,
out looking at Hope. It was unusual for
Hope to be singled out in this way when
Ter sister. was present, and both the sis ,
noticed 1t and spoke of It afterwards.
They thought Nine. Alvarez very beautiful
nd MISUNDERSTANDING. and she i'm
PRESSED them. even after that short knowl-
'dge Of her, as a woman Of great force Of {
!,
she was very well dressed for q Spanish
woman" was Miss ~Langham's comment, I
ate In the afternoon. but everything
he had on was just a year behind the {
o. twelve steamer days behind. /
IS Mr.. Macwiiiiams puts IT." !
She reminded me-" said Hope, "of q ]
lack panther I saw once in a circus" I
Dear met" exclaimed the sister. 81 6ouet G
ee that At All. Why?: