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

hangInans unless you beware! But why
should I speak? am not trusted, it
seems; I. the daughter Of de Pintra,
who is chief OF the Revolution. This
foreigner, whose heart is cold in our
Cause Is to take my place. Very well,
will return to the court--to my hus-
band"
''IzabeilD
do not, fear. will not betray you.
If betrayal comes, look to your buff
foOn, the minister of police; look to
your cold American!"
She pointed at me with so scornful
a gesture that involuntarily I recoiled,
for the attack was unexpected. Then
my lady stalked from the room like a
veritable queen of tragedy.
Dom Miguel drew a sigh of relief as
the door closed, and rubbed his fore
head vigorously with his handkerchief.
THAT ordeal is at last over" he
muttered; land I have dreaded it like
coward, Listen, senhOrt My daugh-
ter, whose patriotism is not well under
stood. has been suspected by some Of
my associates. She has a history, has
Label sad history, my friend" For
moment Dom Miguel bowed his face
head again the look of panied emotion
upon his features lent his swarthy
skin a grayish tinge.
Years ago she loved & handsome
young fellow. one Leon de Mar-of
French descent who is even now fav-
Orite with the emperor" he resumed.
Against my wishes she married him,
and her life at the court proved a most
unhappy one. De Mar is a profligate,
a rake, a gamester, and a scoundrel.
He made my daughter suffer all the
agonies of hell. But she uttered no
complaint and knew nothing of her
sorrow. At last. unable to bear longer
the ScOrn ana abuse of her husband,
label came to me and confessed the
truth, asking me to give her the shelter
OF home. That was years ago. SEN
hOr. I made her my secretary, and
found her eager to engage in our patri-
otto conspiracy. 1t is my belief that
she has neither seen nor heard from
de Mar since; but others have suspect
ed her. It is hard indeed, Robert, not
to be suspicious in this whirlpool of in
'trigue wherein we are engulfed. A
few weeks ago Paola swOre that he
found label in our garden at midnight
engaged in secret conversation with
that very husband from whom she had
fed. have no doubt he was deceived;
but he reported it to the Secret COun-
ell, which instructed me to conf1de no
further secrets to my daughter, and to
secure new secretary as soon as pos
sible. Hence my application to your
uncle, and your timely arrival to assist
me-
He paused, while I sat thoughtfully
considering his words.
II beg that you win not wrong my
daughter with hasty suspicious" he
you to conhde our secrets to her, since
/ have myself refrained from doing
SO, out of respect for the wishes of my
associates. But do not misjudge label
my friend. When the time comes for
action she viii be found a true and
valuable adherent to the Cause. And
now, let us to work."
I found it by no means difficult to
become interested in the details Of the
plot to overthrow the Emperor Dom
Pedro and establish a Brazilian Re-
public. 1t was amazing how many
great names were enrolled in the
Cause and how thoroughly the spirit of
freedom had corrupted the royal army,
the court, and even the emperor
trusted police. And learned, with all
this, to develop both admiration and
respect for the man whose calm judg-
ment had so far directed the mighty
movement and systematized every
branch Of the gigantic conspiracy.
Truly, as my fair Lesoa had said Dom
Miguel de -Pintra was "a born leader
of men,"
Night after night there assembled at
his house groups Of conspiratOrS who
arrived secretly and departed without
even the servants having knowledge of
their visit. During the counsels every
approach to the house was thoroughly
guarded to ward against surprise.
Strong men We're these republican
leaders; alert, bold, vigilant in serv-
/ ing the Cause wherein they risked their
/ lives and fortunes. One by one came
to know and admire them, and they
! spoke freely in my presence and
/ trusted me- Through my intercourse
t with these champions of liberty, my
/ horizon began to broaden, thus better
/ fitting me for my duties.
Francisco Paola, the emperor's min
/ lister. came frequently to the confer
ences Of the Secret Council. Always he
seemed as simpering, frivolous. and
absurd as on the day first met him.
/ To his silly jokes and inconsequeut
/ chatter none paid the slightest atten-
tinn; but when a real problem arose
/ and they turned questioningly to
Paola, he would answer in a few lightly
I spoken words that proved at once
shrewd and convincing. The others
were wont to accept his decisions with
gravity and act upon them.
have said that Paola impressed me
as being cOnceited. This might well
be true in regard to his personal ap-
/ pearance, his social accomplishments
playing the piano and guitar, singing
riding and the like-but never
heard him speak lightly of the Cause
OF boast Of his connection with it. In
I deed. he exhibited a queer rnfnglfne OF
folly and astuteness. His friends ap-
/ peared to consider his f1ippancy and
seif-adulation as a mask that efectual-
/ ly concealed his real talents. Doubtless
the Emperor had the same idea when
ne made the fellow his minister of Do
nee But l. studying the mant with
fervid interest, found It difficult to de-
eide whether the folly was a mask, OF
whether Paola had two natures-the
seeond q sub-conscious inteIIieenee
upon which he was able to draw IN q
crisis.
He certainly took no pains to i'm.
press any one favorably, and his clos.
est friends were, I discovered. IRE.
quently Disguised by his actions,
From the first my Judgment Of the
man had been influenced by his sister,
enthusiastic championship. Lesbs
seemed fully in her brothers conn.
dence, and although she was not Z
recognized member Of the conspiracy
found that she was thoroughly con.
, versant with every detail of our prog.
ress. This information must certainIy
have come from Francisco, and as
ral-aa aha.----al-- .---a-, 7 49,. -