Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-21

ten South American republics" murmureo
Dave Henley as he coolly tore open the
note addressed to his native assistant.
Now. In the states no man"
He broke off abruptly, and under the
tan of his clear-cut face crept an ugly,
purplish-red tint.
Come at a quarter to 12-tonight-the
cid south wing. Lolita"
He repeated the word Observation-Disclosures.
twice. Then, very deliberately. he tore
into pieces the note written by Lolita,
daughter Of Senior Matanya, minister of
finance. to Carlos Equilla, first assistant to
David w. Henley, manager of the Henley
Graves Construction Company, engaged in
introducing a water system into the capital
of San Cruza.
Incidentally the resident representative
of the company offered daily prayers that
the present party might remain in power
until the contract was completed and the
last installment was paid. That was one
reason why Henley had turned color at
sight of a note from the daughter of
man In power to a man whom he suspected
of secretly conspiring with the disaffected
party.
There is always a disaffected party in
a South American republic, and it requires
only the right leader in the right place at
the right moment to put them in to power
Henley had questioned the wisdom of
retaining Carlos, after he had discovered
the natives sympathy with the insurrec-
tionists, but Carlos Aquila was the only
man in all the God-fOrsaken republic who
knew one thing about the foundations of
rock. gravel and quicksilver which under
laid the city with the same uncertainty
that marked its government.
But there was another reason why Dave
Henley had flushed at sight of the note,
and that waists writer.
He returned to his plans and spectfica-
lions. but over the ruled pages ran the
words: 'COme-tonight-Loit
What did the girl know of Carlos and
how much did she care? Had she asked
for this midnight meeting In hopes of win
ming him over to the cause? Henley knew
that there could be but one price at which
the loyalty of Aquilla could be bought-the
love of Lolita
Dave ground his teeth at thought of it.
Carlos at this particular moment was up
In the foot hills, swearing picturesquely at
the native foreman, who had ordered a
DIast set seven rods from the right spot.
he would not return before dusk
Henley rolled up his papers, locked his
desk and his office. and strolled out to call
on the head of San Cruza's secret service.
That night as Carlos Auuilla his throat
parched from heat. dust. and much profan-
1ty rode slowly toward the city a small
pody OF soldiers appeared suddenly at a
sharp bend in the road An hour later, in
a gloomy court room. Aquilla was for
mally arraigned for having made "riotous
and infiammatory speeches. at meeting
OF lnsurrecuonists in a neighboring village
three nights before. In vain the first as
sistant of Senior Henley swore by his pa
iron saint, and all the rest on the church
calendar, that on the night mentioned he
mad E>dden with his chief to the new aque-
dlSt west OF the city. Senior Henley was
not to be found to prove the alibi therefore
must Aquilla await his coming in that sec
ton of the bastile devoted to state prison
ers.
treated with unusual courtesy for a polit-
ical prisoner. He knew that the charge
was trumped up, for though he had been
aidlng the insurrectionists. he had covered
MS tracks too well to be followed by stupid
ofncers of the cause. And then-there was
Lolita! Only the night before, when he
had pressed her hand in the dance and had
asked asked Tor a word alone. she had whispered:
"Perhaps-tcmorrow-b night"
Perhaps she had sent him a message,
perhaps at this very moment she awaited
his coming.
And at this very moment Dave Henley,
In the guest room OF the secret service
chlef, was calmly, deliberately donninR
fresh duck suit, a soft silk shirt and
stunning tie. warranted the newest things
In the states.
And over the house of Senior Matanya
minister of finance, brooded a calm that
was portentous. Oddly enough. and for
the first time in It's history II was emntv
save LOT the master and his young daugh-
Ter. Inc old care-taker at their country
nome was celebrating her saints feast day
and all the servants in the city house had
been hidden. Not only had they received
permission to attend. but they had been
bearers OF rarely large gift from the old
retainer. ~
In the dining hall the minister and his
daughter fingered over the evening meal
when, Tor the girls part. was untasted
IT is such deeds that the women of your
race did before you, Lolita" said the min
lister with calm finality.
yes, father" murmured the girl ODE
dlently, but her voice shook, and two tears
stole down her cheeks. But 1 never saw
sny one die-and 1 shall remember 1t al
ways"
You will not see him die-and you will
not remember anything save that through
Men like Carlos Aquilla are more danger
Gus than those who talk loudly and do
little. who long to carry the gun. but know
na1ght Of the art of intrigue
Yes. father" said the girl. through
force of habit. But she heard nothing that
he said, for suddenly there had come be-
fore her vision of dance and a man I'M
like the men of her own race-one who
stood so straight that he looked down upon
her by full a head; whose face was fair
and who wore no black, pointed mustache.
She recalled the next time they had met
and the next-and life grew sweeter with
each turn OF memory's pages. She was
weary of the empty, honeyed phrases of
her fathers political friends. She had
learned to care for this northerner who
laughed with his eyes when he praised with
his lips. And she clasped her hands tight
ly In her lap and wondered what he would
thlnk-if he knew,
She was aroused by the scraping of her
fathers chair.
1--WE will retire to the south wing" he
was saying.
The south wing! Her breath came In
short, faint gasps.
They crossed the dimly lighted reception
hall and passed through the drawing room
and the library. where great metal lamp
threw weird shadows over her fathers high,
carved desk; then through the unlighted,
silent passage which led to the south wing
He threw open narrow door and they
stood within the original residence of the
house OF Matanya -cramped, low-ceiled and
narrow. From the living room, stairs led
TO sleeping rooms above. and at the fur
Their end. an iron-barred door led into the
kitchen, where the mother of Lolita had
cooked many simple meal. Opposite the
staircase was another barred door which
led into the gardens.
Since the death of Lolita's mother the
rooms had not been used. often the pow
erful minister of finance had determined to
pull down the wing. which served only to
remind him of the days of poverty and
struggle. But 1t was just as WELL for now
the old south wing was to have a magnifi-
cent, spectacular fate.
He closed the door behind them. Lolita
clasped her hands over her heart and