The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-11-22
The Amateur ReVOlutiOniSt.
The Revenge of a Lover and Child.
BY JOHN FLEnING WILSON

By JOHN FLErlING WILSON.

FFFyTSsTTTT1'sSSs
If you should see bronzed men or
men with soldierly bearing frequent
Ing certain Office in a small street in
San Francisco, and if you knew who
the men were or what they represent
cd, you could predict to a nicely the
next Central American revolution, its
leaders, and its outcome. That is be-
cause San Francisco is the place where
everything commences, and many have
their end in the way of troubles in the
SISTER republics"
Three years ago the present govern
ment of Guatemala missed overthrow
by Just a hair. AS the man who had
been financing the insurrection said
bitterly when the bottom fell out: 'If
It weren't for women thered be no
revolutions, and if it weren't for
woman every revolution would be sue
cessful." He said this to the man who
knows more about troubles political
where there's money and fighting than
any other man in the world. This man
nodded his head with a smile not often
seen on his spare face. The financier
didn't like the look, and he growled
some more: "They might at least
have let me hold the government up
for my expenses before calling the
whole business off. l could have got
everything back and interest on my
venture"
The other man kept on smiling.
"That's the way you fellows look at it.
II you can't win sell out at a good
price. But that don't win in the long
run. One woman can spoil the
scheme"
Two years before this young wom-
an landed from the Pacific Mail steam
er City of Para, and registered at the
Palace as from Mazatlan. She had a
little maid who giggled and talked
Mexican, some luggage with Vienna
and Paris hotel labels over it, and the
manner of deposed queen. She signed
herself as "Srta Maria Rivas."
In due time Senorita Rivas left the
hotel for quiet lodging on Vallejo
street. But before she disappeared
from the court, a gentlemannered old
man with knotty hands, called and in
troduced a companion. "This is the
young man l spoke to your excellency
about. present Senor Thomas Vim
cent Then the gray-haired man
slipped away, and Thomas Vincent was
left looking down into the dark face
of Maria Rivas He did not know why
be was there, nor who she was, nor
even the name of the man who had in
troduced him. But he was not sorry.
She let him stand while she glanced
him over. Vincent drew himself up
at her somewhat insolent manner, and
was rewarded by smile.
"Will you accept an invitation to
supper tonight IL l press you very
hard?" she asked him in smooth Eng
fish.
Vincent turned his eyes about the
court. Then he looked down at her
again, and nodded curtly. Certainly
madam" He flushed, and went on
But I failed to catch your name.
am awfully embarrassed"
She got to her feet, and held out q
slender hand. II am Miss Mary
Rivas," she said, quietly my father
was formerly the president Of Hon
duras. l went to school at Bryn Mawr
and l met your sister there. That's
why, when found you were in San
Francisco, asked to have you brought
and introduced"
Vincent loked at her very soberly
almost pityingly. Then he offered her
bis arm, and they went into the supper
soom, where everybody turned to
watch their progress, knowing neither
Of them.
When she removed to the fiat on
Vallejo street, Miss Mary Rivas told
Vincent to come and take the first
dinner with her. "We'll christen the
new place" she said gayly, land, be-
sides, hope you'll find that I'm really
American and can cook"
That night at nine o'clock when the
Mexican maid had departed giggling
to the kitchen, Vincent's hostess leaned
forward over the table at which they
sat, and rested her elbows on it. Her
bare arms framed her face in a sudden
way that took Vincent's heart out Of
Its regular beat He leaped to his feet
when Maria Rivas, dropping her head,
burst into torrent of sobs, her white
shoulders heaving as her agony got
the better of her.
AS he stood there biting his lips she
threw back her head and darted up
and to the window. He heard her
moan, as. if she saw and heard some
hing too awful to comprehend. He
walked over and stood back of her till
she swung round, and he saw the tear
stained face relax and the swimming
eyes close. He carried her to the table,
and laid her down across 1t, and rubbed
her hands. Then the maid came in
still giggling Historically. and together