Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-01-18
DAILY SHORT STORY
A Schoolgirl Diplomat.
IOriginal.l

the people on the wharf when Il car
rage drove up and Il lady aiighted and
came aboard. As she walked up the
gangway she happened TO raise her
eyes, and they lighted upon the Amer
lean 1t seemed to him as if there was
something conscious in the look, some
thing to indicate that she had seen him
before He hoped he was not wrong
in his inference, for the lady was
young and a perfect type of Spanish
American beauty.
The evening after sailing was Dalmy,
and Il half moon appeared on the merid-
ian. Most of the passengers were on
deck. including the American and the
Spanish senOrita. The former was pac-
ing the deck. the latter sitting in u
girl and occasionally glanced at her,
but she did not notice him. Suddenly
the wind produced by the motion of
the steamer took off Il bit of lace that
had been wrapped about her head and
throat The American caught it and,
taking it TO her delivered ii with pro-
found bow.
Thank you. signOr," she said, then
in a low voice: Il wish TO have some
speech with you and without attract
ing attention. l let my lace headdress
90 on purpose. Do not remain by me
long enough 10 attract attention. but
tonight. after all these people are i'll
their berths. l will be here. Come
then"
Certainly. senOrita.' And, lifting
his hat he continued his walk.
The passengers turned in early. and
by 10 o'clock the last one. except the
senorita. had left the deck. Then the
American joined her.
You are Mr.. WOrthington Curtis"
she said
Il 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. l would know moth
ing about it or everything. / know ev-
erything. An effort is To be made be-
fore you reach Washington to relieve
you of your papers. 1t is very impor
tant to Colombia that they should 90
through. l am going to try 10 foil those
who are on your track
They? Who are they"
"They are not aboard the ship, but
their representative is
And that representative:
1T is better that You should remain
ignorant of his or her identity. l will
not tell YOU the sex. If you knew you
would reveal the knowledge
But could l not the better protect
MYSELF"
THAT is the Americans view of it.
We Spanish people are so deeply versed
in treachery as to consider your igno-
rance of your enemy an advantage. 1t
will throw that enemy off his or her
guard. | will come in as third per
son TO take advantage of it,
Il see. But who sent you on this
miSSion?"
That's secret. 1t 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 me?''
NO. l am going to New York to
school"
HIM. Rather n precocious school
girl. Where are your credentials"
What credentials"
You must have letter to me from
those who sent me that you are here to
aid me"
Il have not"
Then I must decline TO trust YOU
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
ing her politely for her interest in him
and went below. The next morning a
steward handed him a note unsigned.
which read:
You will be approa ched by a man this
evening who will endeaVor TO lure YOU to
the stern of the ship. Do not go with him.
True enough, as Curtis was smoking
on deck Il man opened conversation as
10 the direction of the gulf stream.
After some talk he proposed TO Curtis
TO walk to the stern TO observe Il phOS-
phorescence in the wake of the ship.
Curtis declined to go and from that
moment placed faith i'll what he called
the Senorita. Next came note advis-
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
the schoolgirl in retired place on
deck. He dropped several hints that it
was time for all passengers to he in
bed. but the seuorita seemed Inclined
TO sit late. Suddenly Curtis felt himself
embraced 10y an iron grip and was pow
erleSS 10 move. The senorita whipped
out bottle from pocket in her dress
and. saturatinC a handkerchief with it.
held il against his face.
When the dispatch bearer came to
himself he was lying ~ his berth and
the ship was lying in the harbor wait
ing for the quarantine or the custom
house officials, or both. Curtis put his
hand into the pocket where he kept his
II r-laS Thnx- pinned