Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-19
CHAPTER vi.
The Tigers Claws.

Seated in the small cabin Of the Mari
posa with the Tiger Of San Benito con-
fronting her. the outward attitude OF
inward discomposure.
She answered half disdainfully his cur
sorry inquiries as to her treatment on the
trip from New York. knowing that he was
already posted in all its details. and
evinced no curiosity whatever as to the
further dispositions he had made for her.
Only when he expressed the hope that
she had come prepared to remain among
her countryfolk did she deem it worth
while to utter q quietly emphatic mega
tive.
II shall return to Washington when I
think it," she added.
And yet you were born under the
golden cross. my cousin the president
said. his hot eyes drinking in all her
beauty, and her heart sank. for he spoke
truth. Above the home in Washington
to which her father the minister Of San
Benito. had taken his American wife. had
represented. And now her country claimed
her. through its head. for though she had
been born in the United States and was
to all tntents and purposes an American,
she still owed allegiance to San Benito.
steadfastly. IT have come here peaceably
rather than run the risk of public scan
dai, but do not think that I fear you.
Ygnacto. I shall return to Washington
when I think fit. My home is there.
where my father and mother are buried.
you will be well advised not to give
me cause to cut my visit to this country
Short
But first you will go with me to the
capital" he stipulated. cunningly. 1.-The
populace is all agog to see you. 1t is SO
81 xaYif1 Nd fHAxs
love you, Beatriz. even as I do. Your
presence in the palace will be very help
full to me in my task of government. You
are aware. no doubt, that these are trou-
blous times In San Benito. Surely you
will do SO much for your native land
Sort" she interrupted. fearlessly. 1T
rings too falsely from the mouth of him
they call"
The Mariposa shook from stem to stern
plosion. The speaker held up helpless
hands as fell glare crimsoned the tiny
cabin. She sank back. shuddering and
shut her eyes. but did not once cry out
Ybarra cast one anxious glance toward
her and then sprang through the door
way. He had been waiting for that mo-
ment.
He knew exactly what had happened,
since 1t was by his order that the in
human crime had been committed. A-mo-
as
sured him Of his own immunity from
danger. and with that he went forward
as far as the bridge.
He met O'Dare carrying Fiji aft in a
half-fainting state.
Go to your Mistress he said, grufiy.
go to the DEVIL" Dennis retorted with
equal acerbity. and SO passed on.
Gonzalez was at the searchlight on the
bridge. and his excellency greeted him
with words of approval.
"A well-planned piece Of work." he said.
and the man who had sold his shipmates
bowed before him.
Humble servidor re Vuestra Excel
encia." he answered. a tinge of irony in
his tone. Your ,excellency's humble
servant
The president glanced sharply at him
Ybarra was quick witted-and he went on,
in haste.
your exceIlency had word from me Of
the Americana. Corbyn, in whom the
Dona Beatriz was interested
"What of it?' snapped Ybarra. 1t irri-
tated him to be reminded that some other
man might have forestalled him with his
cousin. Gonzalez knew it would.
HE has followed her here from New
York." he said. still more daringly.
Thousand thunders Of God!" cried his
master. why do you stand there idle