The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-31

her right, and also asked that be
! appointed her guardian, holding that
she was citizen of the United States.
ana as / was her nearest relative, her
natural guardian. The matter went SO
far as to have an accounting of the
property made, but the decision of the
court was against me. I found that /
had not only Don Carlos with his power
full influence to contend with. but also
the church; il being claimed in some
way that as my niece had entered the
convent her property was held in trust
for the church. I could do nothing. and
was finally not even permitted to see my
niece. or to hold any communication
with her."
! I could see the old gentleman's face
harden as he told me this. He did not
look at me. but sat staring at the blank
wall before him.
That certainly was not Justice.
though the decision may have been le-
GAL replied.
Justice he exclaimed. turning upon
me almost f1erceIy That word is un-
| known here. 'Twoulo seem, too, laws
can be construed to suit the pleasure OF
the Judge
Part of the property my brother
left, he continued, Don Carlos will
keep; but the church lays claim to
the most of it. The church has been all
powerful. and ever a careful guardian
of its own interests. AS soon as it is
known that 1 am here. and 1 expect 1t
will not be more than a few days at
most, every move I make will be watch
ed. Spies will hang about the hotel,
and follow me wherever I go; even the
walters and servants about the house
Will be bribed TO report every move I
make. and every word I utter. You do
not know how great is the power of the
church. Don Carlos, too, holds high
place under Miramon. and Mramon Is
president-in authority he is a dictator
his word is law. We have a difficult task
before US. but IL we act quickly we may
succeed"
Your niece is in convent?' I asked.
mo. not now. She is with her step
father. He lives near the Plaza de San
Juan"
at would be difficult for me to meet
her." I ventured.
Yes. almost impossible. But you
must contrive to meet her Bride the
servants. You shall have money. I viii
arrange with Messrs. Smith & Rivera
about that. 1t viii not do for you to
come here. You are to act independent
/ ly of me. Use your own judgment II
you can manage to escape with her.
leave the country. The Constitutional
lists are likely to be friendly The
Americans have given them good assist
ance. Or. at least there will be United
! States gunboat at Vera Cruz"
And the lady, suppose she shoulc re-
fuse TO accompany me?" ! asked.
"She viii go with you. You need not
fear as to that"
= am to proceed in my own way?" ]
asked
Yes; leave everything to you. II Is
necessary that should do so. for you
must be governed largely by circum-
stances. / cannot tell you how TO act
| can only wan you of the danger in
VOWED. Should yonr object be suspected
every obstacle possible would be thrown
4 In your way. Should you be taken in
any overt act, there will be little h ISL
fancy In putting you oul of the way.
/ Believe me. Don Carlos commands eat
i threats as well as soldiers OF the guard
] should not want either, were l you. &c
spend my days In a Mexican p.sson.'
. He gave little shudder as ne said
this and I fancied there had been an in
timation of that kind of treatment wher
he had visited the city before. but he
was a man of determination, and not tc
be swerved from his purpose by mere
threats.
Il have considered the danger in,
voIved,'' I replied.
And you are willing to assist me2
| hesitated. and he continued.
You take your life into your owr
hands when YOU enter upon this bust
ness. do not misrepresent the diff
culties YOU will meet with. 1t is a tash
anyone might hesitate about undertake
Ing. l am satisfied that you have tbs
nerve and the courage, and IL anyone
could hope for success. l believe yoJ
can. 1t is a cool business proposition
make 10 you. I will spare no money Il
! assist you. and you take the risks In
volved On these terms. and under
b standing the dangers that Will be in
volved, are you willing to undertake,
this service?"
Here was the question. point blank
For a moment I hesitated. 1 noticed
that his eyes were upon me. and tina
he weighed me. as 1t were, and seemed
10 make a mental estimate of my abil
ity. II was. as I know now. the su
preme test Of my life Had l beer
found wanting. I must have fallen mos
! ignominiously.
For a moment. as 1 said. I hesitater
while my whole future life, prospects
success or failure. everything. hung il
! the balance one word from me woul'
! determine my destiny. l believe tina
have felt the Importance of the stel
| was about to take. for l was cool an,
composed. / was not moved by senti
/, ment. 1t was life question, and
! looked at IT from a practical stand
point.
. The hazards were large. as 1 kney
from what he had told me. but success
. might mean a great deal TO me. looke
into the furrowed face before me. Not
: muscle relaxed, not a word escaped iron
? his lips 1t was for me 70 answer. an
slI replied calmly that 1 would serv
him.
e He reached out and took my hand
}. The perspiration stood on his face, an
4 | could see how much my answer mean
D to him. In his confidence. his earnest
ness, hts faith in me. seemed to Sc
S my own success.
v II am fortunate. indeed. in discover
r ing you" he said. still holding my hand
= and looking me squarely in the eye. II
I had given me the sign of a secret or
C der, which / recognized This it'll
:. ] bafu.aaf, frz wont yer.