The Indianapolis journal., 1904-02-21

kk2 fingers of the hand that held IL
ESEHSi was a mourning ring with a
49, single rose diamond. The brace
let on the slender wrist also was jet black.
The mourning, thought Malcolm Mccall
lum. was overdone. For that matter. every
thing in the Southern Republics was over
done, even the republics. There were too
many of them for comfort. What they
have to learn" said Malcolm McCallum,
master of Ccllmore and of little else. lis
discipline-gad. and the women need it
first. Discipline them first, then amalga-
mate them into one decent State"
"Of matrimony." said his companion.
"Eh? What?'
You were. L think. speaking of ANAL
gamating our women"
Your countries-your little bits of States.
Mr.. President. Your womenl They are
charming. but they have no thought for
anything but the little arts of coquetry.''
The President smiled little dryly. IF
it were not for our fair friends" he said.
there would be no cOnspiracies, no revo-
lutions. no distraction. 1t would be what
you call boredom
The master, watching the languid fiutter-
ing of the black fan across the patio. Won
dered whether it concealed the face Of a
conspirator or of a mature dame, widowed,
fat. and ostentatiously melancholy.
Par exampler' murmured the President,
with the slightest nod towards the fan.
"A conspirator? She?'
'All women are conspirators. my friend;
the old, because they have had their tri-
umphs. and don't wish others to succeed;
the young. because they have ambitions
And she-has she ambitions or regrets?"
'She has but now arrived.
"a Stranger"
"Pardonl She is yet young-and, as we
say, has arrived at years of indiscretion-
is it not SOP
II see she has stepped out of short skirts
into plot. Done UP her hair and fastened
the coils with dagger. 1t is childish, Pres
ident, and a trifle bloodthirsty. We put
such as she in reformatories in our coun-
try"
Excellent murmured the President.
"But who would attempt such feat
''Yet. it would be for her own good" said
the master warming to his argument. ''It
from remorse and preserve her womanli-
ness
''Grue, most true. 1t would. indeed. save
her from herself, but then-what use-no
one would undertake the task. The sense
of chivalry-"
"Chivalry be hangedi 1 don't recognize
the chivalry which encourages a girl to
share in the dangers of a conspiracy. Hang
it all. She may be engaged in some mad
scheme which would send some poor
wretches to their DEATH
THAT is certain
Certain, And you do nothingr'
The President blew rings of smoke.
There are rules to all games-see? To
the conspirators a term of grace-and she
has achieved nothing yet. Still, it is pity
oh, yes, l admit-a great pity. But again,
where is the man? 1 pass my friends in
review and there is none-nOt one who
would have the courage to save that beau
tiful young lady from the consequences OF
her imprudence.'
rs she beautiful?'
"As a spring morning-lovely as a SUM-
setzstately as a cloud in a summer sky
a face that is perfect. But what are words
Young. beautiful, and rich. The man who
would save her-but there are no men now. -
thoughtfully across at the black fan.
The President sighed gently 81 have
memories, sad memories of one as young
1t was in the revolution of Dec. IA, or Jan.
81 am not clear. Her side lost her pos
sessions were confiscated, her health gave
way-she died poor. 1t was her first con-
spiracy."
"That was hard luck
Truly terrible said the President, soft
ly. ''She had no, what you call, run for
her money If there had teen someone
to run away with Acknowledgements was
your word-she would have been happy to-
day"
The master laughed. ''Did suggest run
ming away with our friend opposite? You
malign me, President. What L suggested
was that she should be retired temporarily
to safe lodging until this fever of conspir-
acy had cooled
do you know the Hacienda Morro?"
Never was there"
1T is a retired place, under the protec.
senorita could remain there comfortably
as a guest"
The master laid a muscular hand on the
IItSiucIl > huSts NHdJ are you uIlNlus
at?"
The President looked sharply at the young
Scot. ,"You started the discussion. | think
and I took it up. L mean this. 1t would
be good for me, first of all. 1 am honest
you see. Good for the State. and good fol-
her if she were removed for a month. A
revolution is nearly due. 1t will come any.
how, but il will be more VIOLENT If she re-
1QrT -fay--ar
lutte, discreet-who would secrete her fOl
that month the State would stand by him
IF he failed2'
THE State would bury him."
The master smiled. Failure is not to bt
thought of; but for success man would
want a couple of good horses and some
cash.
They could be supplied"
Good! Now answer me two questions
SenOr President"
Proceed. mon ami"
You brought me to this hotel with Q
purpose. You meant that l should see this
lady with the FAM"
You are a man of ideas,'' said the Pres
ident, Suavely.
$50 you meant to use me. don't object
if it serves my purpose. Next-against
whom does this lady cOnspire?'
The plot is fixed to assassinate me-" saiC
the President, calmly.
Then, said the master, with a kinC
of admiration, ''you risked your life wheT
you drove out with me 10 this place alone.
All. no. They have not yet fixed or
the day, and it would not be etiquette tC
dispose of me now. Savez mon bravel
Pardon. but you are a queer lot. You've
made one mistake, though. by SHOWING
yourself in my company, If you mean me Il
play the role of abductOr."
THAT is easily settled" And the next
h. ,-sJ,