, 1902-12-15
A Diplomatic Affair.
BY EDGAR wELTON COOLEY

BY EDGAR WELTON COOLEY.
Copyright, 1862. by Daily Story Pub. Coz
II was a summer day-a blistering
dHy In Caracas. The rays of the sun
fell porpendicuiariy upon the parchci
e. nth, the air was still. immovabls.
In the United States consulate the
American minister sat at his desk so
hIs.Iy occupied with his official cor
TC UnGcuCe that he dld not hea:' the
wrnan when she entered. and she had
almost reached his side before he he
came aware of her presence.
Her face was pale as the dead's.
her hands neryOusly clasped and un-
clasped each Their. Her eyes. large.
brown ard dreamy. were cleaning
with al. , and despair.
From hcal to foot she was gowned
in Yellow .Ght, glaring yellow
with here and there touches of jet.
a mass of dark brown hair fell about
her shoulders in luxurious abandon
ment and her features, on which were
visible deep lines of anxiety, were
graced with a beauty almost oriental.
When his eyes met hers the min
lister sprang to his feet. The hot
blood rushed to his face and pounded
at his temples. a frown furrowed his
forehead. He set his jaws firmly and
from his eyes flashed the terrible an.
ger that burned in his heart.
The woman made an attempt to
speak. but gasped and caught the back
of "A chair, then bowed her head ana
sobbed.
As one suddenly turned to stone,
the minister stood with folded arms
and gazed 1t her. And under his
gaze she trembled like a leaf in the
wind.
Nainly trying to stifle her sobs. she
pressed her hand TO her bosom. as
though she would force her heart to
cease its beating. But the man stood
before her with blazing eyes, upon
his livid lips a sneer. Finally he
spoke.
"Weli?" he said.
At the sound of his voice she dashed
the tears from her eyes with a gesture
of Impotence and the color leaped to
her face.
Mr.. Mason" she said. Il demand
that you protect my husbands life"
Indeed" he sneered. rs your
husbands life in jeopardy"
For answer she almost dragged him
to a window.
Look" she cried, pointing down
wards into the courtyard of the bar
racks.
A few PAGES from the high adobe
wall a file of soldiers were standing
at rest, their lieutenant leaning idly
upon the hit of his sword that glis
tened in the sunshine, while against
the wall a man. whose tall, erect
figure proclaimed that he was not a
Venezuelan. stood facing the soldiers
deflantly and waiting-waiting for
the stroke of noon from the bells Of
the old Spanish cathedral.
Even at that distance the minister
recognized the mans features and his
face darkened. But he uttered no
word.
He is condemned to be shot as a
spy" continued the woman, excitedly.
They say he delivered important mes
sages into the hands of the revolu-
tionists. But that is a lie, Mr.. Mason.
He is innocent-as innocent as you,
and you can save him. You will?"
She was looking straight into his
eyes and he noted, with something
akin to satisfaction, the anguish in
her face. But he folded his arms
again and looked at her in bitter con-
tempt.
And why should | interfere in the
affairs of the Venezuelan govern.
ment?" he asked. why should l
raise my hand to save this mans life?
Did he not come into my home-into
our home-like a thief in the night and
steal from me that which was more
precious than life itself? Did he not
tear from my heart and my hearth
stone the wife who had promised to
love and to cherish me? Well may
you hide your face. madam. Look