The Opelousas courier., 1905-12-16

The Amateur Revolutionist.
The Revenge of a Lover and a Child.
By JOHN FLEr1INd WILSON.

By JOHN FLErING WILSON.

II you should see bronzed men o.
men with soldierly bearing frequent
ing a certain office in a small street ir
San Francisco, and if you knew who
the men were or what they represent
ed, you could predict to a nicely the
next Central American revolution, its
leaders, and it's 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: III
1t weren't for women there'd lie no
revolutions, And If it weren't for g
woman every revolution would be sue
cessful.' He said this to the iian 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 q smile not often
seen On his spare face. The %financier
dida't like the look, and he growled
Some more: They might at least
have let me hold the government up
for nay 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 a young wom-
an landed from the Pacific Mail Ateam-
er City of Para, and registered at the
Palace as from Mazatlah. She baa a
little maid whe gisgled and talked
Mexican, some luggage with Vienna
and Paris hotel labels over it, an. the
manner of a 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 gentle-mannefed old
man with knotty hands, called and in
troduced a companion. This is the
young man 1 spoke to your excellency
about. I present Senior Thomas Vim
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
he was there, nor who she was, nor
even the name of the mar who had in
troduced him. But he was not sorry.
She let him stand while she glazed
him over. Vincent drew himself up
at her somewhat insolent manner, and
was rewarded by q smile.
s "Will you accept an ~invltatior to |
supper tonight If I press YOU very
she asked him In smooth Eng |
lish.
Vincent turned his eyes about The
court. Then he looked down at her
again, and nodded CURLY. Certain ",
madam" He flushed, and went oh,
But I failed to catch YOUR name. l
LII dWIuiay embarrassed.
She got to her feet, and held cut a
hand. Il am Miss Mary
she said, quietly. my father
was formerly the president of Hon
anras. I went to school at Bryn Mawr,
md l met your sister there. That's
yhy, when 1 found you were iii San
I asked to have you brought
introduced"
Vincent loked at her very soberly,
Utmost pityingly. Then he offered her
lis arm, and they went into the supper
Dom, where everybody turned to
watch their progress, knowing neither
II them.
When she removed to the fiat on
street, Miss Mary Rivas told
Vincent to come and take the first
Inner with her. well christen the
place." she said gayly, land, be-
ides, / hope you'll find that I'm really
American and AN cook"
That night at nine o'clock when the
dexican maid had departed giggling
o the kitchen, Vincent's hostess leaned
over the table at which they
at, and rested her elbows on it. Her
are arms framed her face in a sudden
gay that took Vincent's heart out of
Is regular beat. He leaped to his feet
Ehen Maria Rivas, dropping her head.
nrst into a torrent of sobs, her white
houlders heaving as her agony got
he better of her.
As he stood there biting his lips she
brew back her head and darted ap
nd to the window. He heard her
1oan, as ii she saw and heard some
hing too awful to comprehend. He
talked owe and stood back of her till
be swung round, and he saw the tear
tanned face relax and the swimming
yes close. He carried her to the table.
nd laid her down across it, and rubbed
er hands. Then the maid came In,
Ill giggling Historically, and together
hey revived her until she sat up be-
Vincent's arms and slid from (
big table to the floor. Vincent {
INT the astonished maid out by a ges- J
ire of command.
Now what's the matter?" he de-
landed, hoarsely. IF you're In trou- {
tell me-" {
She painted before him. sIt was
hat. | remembered" she replied. [
How can / forget? |
AFTER ] had been five years in the /
papa sent for me to meet him I