The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-19

not be surprised. The grim vault
guarded them well.
MY duties occupying me only at
night, my days were wholly my own,
and they passed very pleasantly in
deed, for my acquaintance with Lesba
Paola had ripened into 8 close friend
snip between usZa friendship I was
eager to resolve into q closer relation.
But LeSba, although frank and in
genuous in all our intercourse, had an
effectual way of preventing the declar-
atoms of love which we're ever on my
tongue, and I found it extremely diff
cult to lead our conversation into chan
nels that would give me an opportun-
ity to open my heart to her.
She was an expert horsewoman, and
we took many long rides together, dur
estates of ali the grandees in the neigh
borhood. Dom Miguel whose love for
the beautiful girl was very evident,
seemed to encourage our companion
ship. and often spoke Of her with great
tenderness.
He would dwell with especial pride
upon the aristocratic breeding of his
ward, which, to do him justice, he
valued more for its effect upon other
noble families than for any especial
advantage it lent to Lesba herself; for
while Dom Miguel was thoroughly re-
publican in every sense Of the word, he
realized the advantages to be gained
by interesting the best families in Bra
I'll in the fortunes of his beloved Cause
and one by one he was cleverly sue
ceeding In winning them. My famil-
iarity with the records taught me that
the Revolution was being backed by
the flower of Brazilian nobility-the
most positive assurance in my eyes of
the justice and timeliness OF the great
movement for liberty. The idea that
mOnarGhs derive their authority from
divine sources-so prevalent amongst
the higher claSses--had dissolved be-
fore the leaders powerful arguments
and the object lessons Dom Pedro's
corrupt ministry constantly afforded.
All thoughtful people had come to q
realization that liberty was but q step
from darkness into light, bursting OF
1 the shackles that had oppressed them
| since the day that Portugal had de-
pfre, and set a scion of her royal FAM
L lily to rule its people with autocrattc
sway.
And Lesba. sprung from the bluest
blood in all the land, had great infiu-
! ence in awakening, in those families
she visited, an earnest desire for a re-
public. Her passionate appeals were
| constantly inspiring her fellows with
an enthusiastic devotion to the cause
of liberty, and this talent was duly ap-
preciated by Dom Miguel. whose ad-
miration for the girls simple but direct
methods Of making converts was un-
bounded.
''Lesba is a rebel to her very finger
tips" said he, "and her longing to see
her country a republic is exceeded bS
that of no man among US. But We are
chary Of admitting women to our coun-
ellis, so my little girl must be content
to watch for the great fay when the
cause of freedom shall pwevail.''
However. she constantly sTfpriSs6
me by her intimate knowledge OF oui
progress. AS We were riding one dag
she asked:
Were you not impressed by you
visit to the secret vault?''
''The secret Vault" exclaimed; "DC
! you know of it %
Ct can explain every inch of its con.
: struction." she returned with a laugh
z everything, indeed, save the secret b.
which one may gain admission. Wa.
, it not F'rancisco's idea? And is it no
exceedingly c1ever?''
''It certainly is" admitted.
: ''It was built by foreign workmen
brought to Brazil secretly, and for tina
. very purpose. Afterward the artisans
: were sent home again; and not one O.
them, believe, could again md hi
way to my uncle's house, for every
precaution was taken to prevent theil
discovering It's location
THAT was well done, said I.
"All that Francisco undertakes i.
well done,'' she answered simply.
This faith in her perpleEng brothei
was so perfect that I never ventureC
to oppose it. We could not have re
manned friends had I questioned eithei
Z his truth or ability.
Madam label I saw but seldom, a.
she avoided the society of the famil!
and preferred the seclusion of her owl
!, apartments On the rare occasions o
our meeting she treated me with frigit
courtesy, resenting any attempt upol
my part to draw her into conversation
( For a time it grieved me that Don
Miguel's daughter should regard M
, roNFEnr9n7ATsvT IT