The Washington times., 1904-09-25

port Of a large public sentiment, and
the tide may suddenly turn in their IA
vor. We have had many changes in
Mexico and today we cannot predict
with confidence who VIII be in authority
tomorrow
you have nothing to expect from Don
Carlos. But Don Carlos may be out Of
possibly a fugitive, with friends
and influence gone. If you ally yourself
with the party which is TO come into
power. YOU are in a position to ask
favors.
The scnorita Teresa. by rights. should
come into the possession of considerable
property There is a possibility that
you may be able to help her gain pos
session of her inheritance. You would
be entitled TO substantial recompense
for your services"
Il ask nothing" I replied. Tier for
tune can in no way concern me-
Il know no reason why it should not"
I had told myself that I was not mer-
cenary-I did not want money. But yet
I had felt that # was a misfortune 20
be poor. The senorita's money seemed
20 lift her above me. and was a barrier
which separated us. Not having a for
tune Of my own, I had wished more than
once that she was penniless, like my
self.
Then 7 would have defed Don Luis-I
would have plead my love, and she
would have understood that L wanted
her for her own sake, and that i was
not Influenced by selfish or avaricious
motives 1 was not a fortune hunter
The very thought that I should reach
out a hand to grasp at her fortune
caused the blood to mount TO my face.
For the moment il seemed TO me that
would so away to escape this new
temptation. or the appearance Of being q
fortune hunter. I did not wish to dis
cuss the matter. so dropped the subject
abruptly.
Il have had some training as sol
der" 1 said. II have even thought OF
casting my fortune with-with the
Liberals"
I hesitated, but there was no reason
why ] should conceal my plans from
Don Cortinia 1 knew him TO be a
Liberal I'm spirit, If not avowedly one.
He must of necessity have known my
preference.
Il do not advise you to do this, he
replied. Use your own judgment
There is an element Of chance in being
mixed up in any kind of revolution
in Mexico"
'Wiu 1 be able to pass the Iines2'
asked. Il have no passport. nor friends
who can procure me ore.
You have one friend" he replied. Il
think that I can arrange for your sa1e
conduct"
He was very quiet in his manners, but
there was a certain fire in his eyes
CT ~
solve to join the Liberals pleased him.
when do you wish to start2' he in
quired.
Tomorrow morning. The sooner the
better-probably."
You may expect to receive a pass
port 1t win be sent TO you at your
hotel"
/ thanked him. but he would not hear
to St that he was doing me a service.
Ally call was prolonged somewhat and
when I was about TO leave him he
asked me 10 wait, as he had something
FOR me. He left the room. but returned
presently with a sword in his hand.
II wish to give you this as an evil
dence of my regard for YOU" he said.
handing me the sword. ct was made
for service. but have no use for IT,.
You may find a use for II. / give you
no injunctions as to what use YOU shall
make Of It If you draw it for Mexican
liberty, very we'll I know that you
viii not unsheath Il except in what
you believe TO be a just and righteous
cause. Yet. being a gentleman. should
you receive a personal affront would
not counsel you not to draw to uphold
your own honor"
My surprise had only been equaIed
by my pleasure at receiving the gift.
! thanked him, as best I could. It was
fine sword, and one which any officer
might have been proud 10 wear.
As he said. did afterward find use
for II. I wore IL as an officer IN the
Liberal army. But at the time 1 expect
ed nothing better than the ranks. 1 mar
veled somewhat at the stranKeness of
the gift, for ne had given it to me. ex-
pecting that / was TO enter service
against the party of which he was pro-
fessedly an adherent.
Afterward 1 was inclined to believe
that there was a stroke OF policy IN
what he did, and to give him credit for
being a man Of foresight, and for dis
corning the signs of the times, seeing
victory for the reform government.
though afar of.
Ny last day at La Puebla was destined
TO be the happiest of my stay in the
city. IL was marred only by the thought
that ] was so soon to 90 away. Once
more ] was 10 be an adveuturer; but this
tirae / was 90 go forth as a soldier OF
fortune, to offer my services TO Presi-
dent Juarez, and 20 join the Liberal
army.
During my stay at the capital I had
been anxious to enlist. Yet, now. for
all my military training and love or adj
venture. at the time approached when ]
was 10 leave, L was loath 20 90. A
vague dread seemed to haunt me. and ]
might have changed my plans at the
last moment could l have done so witn
good grace.
I knew that even amid the turmoil OF
war j could not forget that ! had met a
good woman. and had failed to win her
love. I tried to convince myself that
the senOrita was nothing 90 me and that
would be better off away from her, for
It was hard for me 20 think Of parting
with her. probably never to see her
again 1t was Ike going into exiIe-be-
ing banished from home-it seemed 70
overpOwer and bear me down and 70
take all my spirit away
A lingering hope stiII held possession
Of me. ! almost looked for some chance
good fortune which rufVnt .-i.y. 49,, fof.t