The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-04-29

/ iAiN''onSN VI tlliS Cdiu DldlUlN meant.
and contemplated the social gulf
/ yawning between myself and this
woman Of the English aristocrscy. A
cat may look at king, and a South
! American adventurer might venture to
! gaze admiringly upon this beautiful
/ Sentlewoman, yet vaulting ambition
! should have a care lest it oerleap
| itself. Oh, we'll it was not much | had
| TO overcome-merely an impression.
/ fugitive admiration which would early
/ perish, for it was hardly probable we
! should ever meet again. In spite OF his
! lordship's stiff invitation. and her ex-
| ceeding warm glance secretly sec
| ondiug 1t.
! | smiled srimly at thought of so in
sane dream Of love at such a tine
and place. Here was |. alone. unable
| to change my environment every
| movement bringing new danger al
| most certain of early detection. the
| result imprisonment or death. vet
! turning aside to quarrel with one ONLY
too glad to denounce ME should he dis
, cover the truth. and totally forgetting
! every caution in sudden admiration for
girl never seen before, probably
| never to he seen again. Pgt smile
! can leave a deeper wound than
/ sword. and my mind would recur. in
| spite OF other Intervening thoughts
to the pleasant mystery behind her
| gracious words and action. | was thus
lingering over the nuts and wine,
dreaming a fools dream, and idly won
dsring at the cause Of that endless
racket in the streets below, with the
chorus of vivas arising from the
crowded plaza. when the open win
dow facing my table became suddenly
darkened by a burly figure. Before
/ could push back my chair, the unwel-
come intruder on my privacy was po-
litelv bowling before me, one hand
pressed upon his heart.
Pardon, senior. my so abrupt ap-
pearance"-and | gazed Curiously into
round. bronzed face. guarded by
closely clipped side-whiskers, and il
lumined by steady black eyes-"but
the waiter said | should certainly find
you alone here. and my need was most
urgent. | address the Senior West?'
1t was the name | had assumed and,
with closely pressed lips, | bowed in
/ silent acknowledgment Of my identity,
/ feeling little doubt about the mans
mission. The round, rather compIa-
| cent face broke into a genial smile of
relfe
Must fortunate | am thus to dis
cover you with such facility he CON
/ tinued fluently using both hands in
| gesticulation. "SenOr. it is now
! great favor would ask Could you
yield me the honor OF a private inter-
view in my own room ," pointing uD-
ward impressively. 1T is upon the
floor above"
IF your mission is in regard TO the
Sanchez affair, senior" returned
somewhat coldly, privacy is hardly
necessary. The preliminary details
/ can all be arranged here
| He gaZed at me in surprise, rub
| bling his hands together swiftly.
The Sanchez affair, | know not as
| TO that. senior The matter on which
! come is most delicate, most secret;
! 1t is not for other ears. 'Tis because
| OF what | would communicate that |
! seek private audience
remained motionless, looking
| straight at him, my teeth clenched on
my cigar, my mind busy with expedi
ents. II his call had nothing whatever
to do with my quarrel with Sanchez, it
| hA Nnt xI-I, ha
fellow so mysterious? What did he
require Of me in private audience? All!
| bride. probably-he desired to learn
first what amount | would give for
an opportunity to escape. | arose to
my feet. the whole affair settled with.
in my own mind, and cool enough TO
take advantage Of every opening thus
presented.
Very we'll, senior; lead the way
and will follow"
"BuenO," He laid one hand upon
my shoulder, his eyes darkening with
delight You have the courage, senior.
the audacity OF the brave soul 'Tis
in the face, the eye, and gives me
hope OF my mission already. We will
go by the outside stairway, so as to be
| unobserved by those within"
| followed him silently up the steep
iron steps and along the narrow, dim
ly lighted hall. He paused finally, I'M
locking a door, and stood politely
aside while / entered. A moment he
fingered outside, peering suspiciously
up and down the deserted hallway.
and stepping within, closed and bolted
the door, even carefully lowering the
transom before turning up the gas
lights. He hastily crossed the room
shut down the single window, and drew
closer the heavy shade. I watched
these evidences OF excessive caution
with considerable amusement - un-
doubtedly bribery of the Valparaiso
secret police was considered a most
serious affair. A table occupied the
center Of the room and with a wave