Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-10

SAA& sSSSe~
Have you decided anything?" a leader
Of guerrillas asked. and stared from face
to face with impatient. bloodshot eyes.
my dogs are straining at the leash. 1t
will be we'll to act before they break
it,
What would you have me do?" de-
nnAnded Sariol, assuming the responsible
tty his colleagues of the. council had ap-
peared to thrust upon him. while
President Ybarra is in power it is with
him that we must reckon"
''Ybarra has absconded from his post "
you. Don Quentin Sariol, to take his
place-to remedy the evils he has caused
Ito save our fatherland from further
strife within its borders.
IF you are man enough to lead. we
follow. but-we will not wait. Time
presses. and unless that main point car
be settled here and now. Alta Cruz will
be sacked till nothing but the site is left
of it. Speak up, senior! We lack presi-
dent in this republic. VIII you take Of
fee under oath?"
Sariol sat and pondered. without speak
ing. Now that his careful schemes had
borne the fruit he had hoped to pluck
now that the hour of crisis was at hand
upon him, he felt unusually nervous Ill
at ease. The crown of his career had
been held out to him. he had been urged
almost implored to take it.
He looked up at the stained-glass dome
above him. studied it for an instant and
then shook his head with simple dignity.
Il cannot step into a friends shoes
while that friend is absent he said. In
ringing tones. and Challoner, In turn,
sought inspiration in the roohight TO,
this change of front.
The figure of Ygnacio Ybarra was out
lined against the glass. his face was peer
ing down upon the gathering below, a
sneering smile that showed his teeth be-
tween mustache and beard proclaimine
that he had at least OWNED its purpose.
"Au can promise YOU" said Sariol, in
. much lower key, but as though he had
seen nothing. lis that the shoes in ques-
tton viii be filled without delay. Mean
time. you gentlemen who have attended
as under safe conduct will do we'll to
get straightway beyond the walls. and at
q gallop. I have a telegram He
fumbled In his pocket and. producing a
crumpled sheet. spoke still more softly.
but with warning emphasis. Il have a
telegram to say-to say that Senior Ybarra
Is at this moment on his way hither from
the Golden Horseshoe. AS soon as have
consulted with him Ill
He left his seat. and no one needed any
second bidding to begone. The insursent
leaders spurred. the national assembly
shuffled OF on foot. and scarcely had the
echo Of their flight died down before
Ybarra. with a posse of life guards at his
back. was standing at the doorway, look
ing aggrievedly into the empty room.
,Challoner took no chances. He waited
where he was, and saw his excellency
enter after the soldiers had departed in
obedience to a sign. Then Sariol came in,
his eyes fixed meditatively upon the
floor. and when he saw the other there,
great was his JOY.
my dear Ygnacio,' he cried. coming
forward. with oustretched arms. my
dear Ygnacio. This is a pleasure long
looked forward to. The days have drag
ged since we met last-and much has
happened to make me long for your re-
turn. When did you get here? What
good news have you? Your wife Is well?
And you yourself?"
He spoke with a most admira BILE air of
innocent establishment, and even Ybarra
was In some degree imposed upon by it,
you've had a meeting here" his ex-
cellency said. abruptly. and ignoring al
together the others inquiries
THE rebels sent a deputation in to
treat with u.s." explained Don Quentin.
with ingenious veracity. They have but
this minute gone. They are peremptory,
Ygnacio. I had to temporize. told
them that you would be here anon: that
until then l was without authority to act
They threatened us with consequences. but
since you have come back there will be
security OF life and property for the
loyalists."
Ybarra looked him up and down ad-
miringly. as though half minded to COM
pliment him on his diplomatic explanation