Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-09
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Red RevolutionistU.

dark image OF u SnaStiy QedtH dStrioe IT.
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Red Revolutionists.
The wires between La Boca and Alta
Cruz had not yet been repaired at all
points. for the insurgent forces. gaining
power and prestige with each day Ybarra
delayed at the Golden Horseshoe. had
now assumed the offensive and were lay
ing waste the land. They saw to It that
no news of their operations trickled
Don Quentin Sariol had endured with
all philosophy their presence outside his
shut gates. The capital was in a state OF
siege, but that did not seem to disturb
him. He had harangued the few troops
left at his disposal since the president
had almost emptied the cavalry and artil-
lery barracks 10 serve his private ends,
and. that done, adopted a patient dignity
under difficulties which might have de-
ceived any one who did not know him
intimately.
But every citizen OF Alta Cruz knew
him well. had known him too long to be
taken in. and even Challoner. the special
correspondent Of the New York Wireless.
who was the only stranger then within
the walls. winked cynically after he had
sized up the vice presidents new atti-
tude.
That most assiduous searcher after
news Of note had taken up his quarters
In the city of the golden spires after his
ignominious expulsion from the Golden
Horseshoe. He had the entree OF the
palace. wherein he picked up that infor-
nation which went winging coastwards
with the carrier pigeons he had thought
fully provided for such purpose. 20 that
Newspaper row and Fleet street were far
better informed as to what was going on
inhabitants Of that benighted country.
The South American republic was in q
state of anarchy, its debts unpaid. its
treasury empty, his excellency. its ofliciai
head. secluded at or near his summer
residence among the mountains. whence
the most urgent appeals for his presence
had failed to entice him back to his post.
His deputy did not dare to assume ONCE
in his absence. was waiting the trend Of
events. would take no action whatever
at his own risk. Responsible govern
ment there was none; the strongest party
at the moment was that Of the insurgent
Reds.
Such was the situation as set forth
under scare headlines In the Wireless on
the same morning that it's delegate at
Alta Cruz went up the palace steps for
the last time. He had heard rumors Of
an impending consultation between Don
Quentin. with such members Of the ma
tional assembly as were then in residence
within the capital. and the leaders Of the
revolutionary movement. which assurediy
presaged trouble for some one: whether
Ybarra, against whom they were plotting
or themselves, on whom the Tiger might
spring from his lair at any moment, NO
one could yet foresee, and they least OF
ALL
The palace was well guarded, but Chat
Toner, duly accredited, made his way un-
checked to the great banquet hall, where
in seats had been set for those expected.
He was the earliest arrival there. and
took the opportunity to seek q corner
where his presence need not be unneces-
sarily noticeable. II irked him to be bound
by such precautions. but while the Wire
less paid him for the gathering OF foreign
intelligence he had to sink all scruples
in it's service safeguard himself its rep
resentative. by all means I'm his power.
curtained window seat provided him
with the seclusion needed, and there he
waited as the room filled-eavesdropping
If You will, but from no mean motive and
at his own grave risk.
dozen men in frock coats and soft
hats slipped in. sat down In shamefaced
silence. until one, little holder than his
brethren. spoke sibilantly to another.
when there broke out a low storm OF
suspicious whispering. Others appeared
TIL Chaloner could count eighteen. and
the eighteenth was Quentin Sariol. smil-
ing suavely, hand Outstretched to every
one.
He took the chair OF state, the others
closed up toward him, and without
further ceremony they commenced their
session.
One graybeard got upon his feet, and
speaking. by his own statement. for the
people. repeated long list OF grievances.
asking redress for them Of the vice presi-
dent.
"Senor Ybarra has deserted us in our
darkest hour he cried, with tragic ges-
ture. and concluded.
Following him. the minister OF finance
begged leave to state that he had no
he were to hold his portfolio. I'VE are
the laughing stock of South America"
said he. with frowning brows. I'VE. pa
triots and men of single mind. I call
yourself for ever from the impositions
which have drained the very dregs. wrung
the last copper coin from a treasury once
we'll stocked. of responsibility none
could impugn.''
Foreign affairs added his quota to the
general discomfort. and his colleague. the
minister Of war spoke wofully OF matters
military. 1T is not meet" he urged.
that. while we suffer here the hardships
and privations seemingly inseparable
from siege, the flower of our brave
army should he forced afield to aid a pri-
vate enterprise. I see the body polite
without head and sick at heart Let
us beware lest 1t should die before we
call in the Doctor
Subdued applause greeted this happy
simile and he sat down. A dozen others
had remarks to make in a like strain,
and Sariol. the slippery. heard them out
in silence and when they looked to him
for some response. he merely said, "a
deputation from the misguided men who
have besieged this city has asked the
honor OF an interview with-with u.s. Shall
We receive them here--or send word that
we do not treat with rebels?"
His assumption of the impartial out
slider tickled Chalioner. who knew how
carefully all these proceedings mad been
planned. But the graybeard was once
more wagging, and to the vice presidents
discontinue. We look to you for guild
ance, Don Quentin" its owner answered
for his fellows. You are responsible. I'm
his excellencys absence, for the conduct
of affairs of state
Don Quentin, thus hard pressed
touched the golden bell beside him. and
at the signal there was ushered in a
group OF swarthy. black-browed fighting
men, who, in defiance of all etiquette.
were fully armed. They clanked across
TO where, by some strange coincidence
there was standing row of empty chairs
aol lix.x.lx-