The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1910-02-04
CHAPTER ~.
In Which Opportunity Comes.

In Which Opportunity Comes.
A period of decided depression fol-
lowed, the earlier vision of youth ia
ding swiftly as l realized what the
message of this card plainly meant,
and contemplated the social gulf
yawning between myself and this
wOman Of the English ~aristocracy. A
cat may look at a king, and a South
American adventurer might venture to
gaze admiringly upon this beautiful
gentlewoman. yet vaulting ambition
should have a car lest 1t o'erleap
itself. Oh, well. 1t vas not much l had
to overcome-merely an impression, a
fugitive admiration which would early
perish, for 1t was hardly probable we
should ever meet again, In spite Of his
lordship's stih invitation. and her ex-
ceeding warm glance secretly Sec
onding It.
smiled grimly at thought of so in
sane q dream of love at such a time
and place. Here was I, alone. unable
to change my environment, every
movement bringing new danger, al
most certain of early detection, the
result Imprisonment or death: yet
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
a girl never eel before, probably
never to be e again. But a smile
can leave a deeper wound than a
sword, and my mind would recur, in
spite of other Intervening thoughts,
10 the pleasant mystery behind her
gracious words and action. ! was thus
lingering over the nuts and wine,
dreaming a fools dream, and idly o
dering 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
l could push back my chair, the unwel-
come intruder on my privacy was po-
litely bowling before me. one hand
pressed upon his heart.
Pardon, senior, my SO abrupt ap-
pearance'-and gazed curiously into
a round. bronzed face, guarded by
closely clipped side-whiskers, and H.
lumined by steady black eyes-'but
the waiter said l should certainly find
you alone here, and my need was most
urgent. | address the Senior West?'
It was the name l had assumed, and,
with closely pressed lips, l bowed in
silent acknowledgment of my identity,
feeling little doubt about the mans
mission. The round, rather compla-
cent face broke into a genial smile OF
,relife.
Must fortunate I am thus to dis
cover you with such facility" he con-
tinued fluently. using both hands in
gesticulation. "Senor. 1t is nov a
greet favor l would ask. Could you
yield me the honor of a private inter-
view in my own room?" pointing up
war; impressively. 1T Is upon the
door above"
IF your mission is In regard to the
Sanchez affair, senor," returned
somewhat coldly, privacy is hardly
necessary. The preliminary details
. all be arranged here"
He gaxed at me In surprise. rub
bling his hands together swiftly.
"The Sanchez affair! know not as
to that, senior. The matter on which
/ come IL most delicate. most secret;
dt IL not for other ears. It's because
iof what l would communicate that l
Isook private audience"
remained m~otionless, 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. 1t
must be an arrest. Yet why was the
fellow 30. mysterious? What did he
require Of me In private audience? All!
4 bride. probably-he desired to learn
first what amount l would give for
a opportunity to escape. Q to
my feet. the whole affair settled with
ii my " mind, and cool enough to
take advantage Of every opening thus
presented.
very well. senior: lead the way
and l 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. It's
In the face. the eye, and gives me
hope Of my mission already. We will
60 by the outside stairway, 10 a. to be
unobserved by those Within"
| followed him silently up the steep
iron steps and along the narrow. dim
" lighted hall. He paused finally. un-
locking Z door. and stood politely
aa1de while I entered. A moment he
800 outside. peering suspiciously
md down the deserted hallway.