Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-06-14

AMI ook<As
her own daughters dressed In the
height of local fashion, and Dom Cor
ria's earnest request had made them
generous. The dark eyed, olive com.
plexioned women Of Alagoas are often
exceedingly beautiful, but few Of those
present had ever seen brown haired.
brown eyed, fair faced Englishwoman.
Iris was remarkably good looking.
even among the pretty girls Of her own
county Of Lancashire. Her large, lin
Did eyes, well nodded nose and per-
fectly formed mouth were the domi-
nant features Of face that had all the
charm Of youth and health. Her
smooth skin, brown with exposure to
sun and air, glowed into rich GRIM
son when she found herself in the
midst of so many strangers. The
slightly delicate semblance induced by
the hardships and loss Of rest which
fell to her lot since the Andromeda
went to pieces on the Grandpere rock
in nowise detracted from her appear
ance. She wore the elegant costume of
q Maceio belle with ease and distinc-
ton. If she was furried by the undis
guised murmur Of admiration that
greeted her she did not show 1t beyond
the first rush of color.
Dom Corria, dragging Schmidt with
him, hurried to meet her. Surprise nj
his gala attire helped to conquer her
natural timidity, for the president was
gorgeous in blue and gold.
"My good wishes are soon changed
into congratulations, SENIOR" she said.
"Ah, my dear young lady, am over
joyed that you should be here to wit
ness my success" he cried. Then. MS II
he had waited for this moment, ne
turned to the assembled company and
delivered an eloquent panegyric OF the
Andromeda's crew and their deusa de-
liciosa-for that Is what he called Iris
"a delightful goddess.
Hozier, though by no means 1ndiifer-
ent to the good fare provided. was
wondering how many hours would
elapse before Iris cablegram reached
Verity's office, when some words
caught his ear that drove all other
considerations from his mind.
81 am sorry to say that, in my opin-
ion, there Is not the slightest chance
of your message reaching England to-
day. Miss Yorke," the president was
saying.
"But why notT' she asked, with an
astonishment that was not wholly the
outcome Of regret.
"The cable does not land here, and
the transmitting stations will be close
" watched, now that my arrival In
Brazil is known. Even the simplest
form of words will be twisted into a
political significance. No, think 1t
best to be quite candid. Until l con-
troll Pernambuco, which should be
within a week or ten days, you may
rest assured that no private cable
grams will be forwarded"
"Oh, dear, l fully expected reply
todayw she said, and now that she
realized the effect Of a further period
of anxiety OH the Bootle partnership
she was genuinely dismayed.
"You may be sure 1t will not come"
said Dom Corria. Indeed, / may as
well take this opportunity Of explain
ing to you and to my other English
friends"-with the interpolated SEN
tence his glance dwelt quietly on Ho-
zier and Coke-"the exact position To-
caIly. You see, Maceio is small place
and easily approached from the sea.
A hostile feet could knock 1t to pieces
In half an hour, and it would be
Door reward for my supporters loyalty
if my presence subjected them to a
bombardment. l have no strong de-
fenses or heavy guns to defy attack
and my troops are not more than q
thousand men, all told. 1t is obvious
that | must make for the Interior.
There gather strength as advance
the warships cannot pursue, ana
can choose my own positions to meet
the half hearted forces that Dom MI
guel will collect to oppose me. In
fact, and every armed man In Ma,
ceio march up country this afternoon.
Iris by this time was thorough!
frightened, and Hozier, who read more
in De Sylya's words than was possible
In her case, was watching the speak
er's calm face with fixity that NIGH
have disconnected many men. Don
| Corria seemed to be unaware OF eithe
the girls distress or Philips white an
ger.
"You naturally ask how l propose t
safeguard the companions of my fligh
from Fernando Noronha," he went OH
81 answer at once-by taking then
with me. The Senhora Pondillo ant
her family will accompany her hus
band to my quinta at Las Flores. 4
special train will take all Of us to tn
nearest railway station this afternoon
Thence nv estate ia but q DAYS marcn