The daily Alaskan., 1904-03-11
| Schoolgirl Diplomat
torlginaI

ile people on the WhdIIi when a cur iIage drove up and a lady alighted and ume aboard. As she walked up the ,angway she happened to raise her eyes. and they lighted upon the Amer lean. It seemed to him as if there was something conscious in the look. some thing to indicate that she had seen him before. He hoped be was not wrong in his inference, for the lady was young and a perfect type of a Spanish American beauty.
 The evening after sailing was balmy and a half moon appeared on the merid- Ian. Most Of the passengers were on deck including the American and the Spanish senorlta. The former was pac- ing the deck. the latter sitting in a steamer chair. He walked near the girl and occasionally glanced at her. but she did not notice him Suddenly the wind produced by the motion of the steamer took off a bit of lace that had been wrapped about her head and throat. The American caught it and, taking 1t to her. delivered it with a pro found bow
 "Thauk you, .signor" she said then in a low voice. 'I wish to have some speech with you and without attract Ing attention ! let my lace headdress 20 on purpose Do not remain by me long enough to attract attention, but tonight, after an these people are in their berths. ] win be here. Come then"
 Certainly. senorita." And, lifting his hat. be continued his walk
 The passengers turned in early and by DO o'clock che last one, except the senorita. had left the deck. Then the American joined her.
 You are Mr. Worthingtou Curtis. ' she said
 "I am," he replied much surprised
 "You are on your way to Washington with important dispatches from the government of Colombia"
 "Really"-
 Don't deny it ! would know noth- ing about 1t or everything. l know ev- erything. An effort is to be made be- fore you reach Washington to relieve you of your papers. It is very impor- tant to Colombia that they should go through ann going to try to foil those who are on your track
 "They? Who are they|
 "They are not aboard the ship, but their representative is.'
 And that represcntatiyet'
 "It is better that you should remain ignorant of his or her Identity. ! win pot tell you che sex. 1T you knew you would reveal the knowledge.'
 But could ] not the better protect myselfg'
 "That Is the Americans view of it We Spanish people are 80 deeply versed in treacheiy as to consider your igno- rance of your enemy an advantage. It will throw that enemy off his or her guard ! win come in as a third per son Co take advantage of it"
 "I see But who sent you on this mission:'
 That's a secret It is enough that the Colombian government is interested in your getting through with your dis patches
 "Did you come on the ship especially to aid mef'
 "No. ] am going to New York to school"
 "H'm. Rather a precocious school girl Where are your credentialsf"
 What crcdentialsT
 "You must have a letter to me from those who sent me that you are here to aid me"
 "I have not"
 Then ] must decline to trust y0u'
 "You don't need to trust me When point out a danger, avoid it. That is not trusting me"
 Curtis ended the interview by thank. lug her politely for her interest in him and went below. The next morning a steward handed him a note, unsigned, which read.
 You win be approached by a man this evening who win endeavor Co lure you Co the stern of the ship. Do not go with him.
 True enough. as Curds was smoking on deck a man opened conversation as to the direction of the gulf stream. After some talk he proposed to Curtis Co walk to the stern to observe ph0s- phorescence iu the wake of the ship. Curtis declined to -o and from that moment placed faith in what be called the senorta. Next came a note adyls- Ing him to keep his dispatches on his person for the rest of the Journey He hesitated for some time and then de- cided to take the advice.
 The night before reaching the port of New York Curtis was sitting with "tbe schoolgirl" m a retired place on deck. He dropped several hints that it was time for all passengers to be in bed, but the senorltu seemed inclined to sit late. Suddenly Curtis felt himself embraced by an iron grip and was pow erless to move. The senouu whipped out bottle from a pocket in her dreis and. soturaung a handkerchief with it held 1t against his face
 When the dispatch bearer came tO himself be was lying in his berth and the ship was lying in the harbor wait- ing for the quarantine or the custom bouse officials or both. Curtis nut his