Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-06-21

miss, but e is president, In Pernam-
buco ut all events" he said In an
apologetic aside to Carmela-"an' the
sooner we make tracks for ole Eng
land the better it'll be for all OF
us. Wot do you say to an early start
tomorrow We'd be OF tonight on'y
I'm feared my rheumaticky bones
wouldn't stand the racket"
The color ebbed from Iris face, but
she said at once:
II shall be ready, uncle, dear. l
promised Dom Corria to look after the
hospital appliances that are 80 much
needed by the poor soldiers, but the
Senhora de Sylvia will attend to that
much more effectually than l."
Good! Then that's settled"
Carmda, of course, did not believe
in a woman's complacency In such a
vital matter. She was ever prepared to
spring, to strike, to wrench their plans
to suit her own ends; but, contrive as
she might, she could not succeed In
leaving Iris alone with Bulmer. Full
Of device, she was foiled at each turn.
The day wore, the sun went down, the
starlit sky made beautiful parched
earth, but never word in privacy did
Iris exchange with her husband to be.
Carmela's malice was not hidden from
her, but she despised 1t. There was
some ease for her tortured brain in de-
feating 1t. If the Senhora de Sylvia
had only understood how thoroughly
the Englishwoman loathed her petty
jealousy 1t was possible that the few
remaining hours Of their enforced inti-
macy might have been rendered less
irksome.
The future Is the most cunning Of
playwrights. No man may tell what
the next scene shall be. And no man
nor any woman could guess the mad
revel Of hate and war that would rage
that night around the placid home
stead Of Las Flores.
Behind the veranda was huge ball
room converted by the e1igencies OF
the campaign into dining hall for the
many inmates of the finca. The Bra
lillian ladies, the sailors, some sick or
wounded officers who were not con-
fined to bed, even the household sery-
ants, took their meals there in COM
mon. Supper was served soon after 9
o'clock. When cigars and cigarettes
were lighted and the company broke
up into laughing, gossiping. noisy
groups, the place looked more like a
popular continental cafe than room
In private mansion.
Though De Sylvia, General Russo,
San Benavides and some score Of
members of the presidents staff who
usually dined at the finca were now
absent, there was no lack Of lively
chatter. A very Babel Of tongues
mixed In amity. The prevalent note
was one Of CHEEKY animation. Carmela
eXerted herself to win popularity, and
a presidents daughter need not put
forth very strenuous efforts in that di.
rection to be acclaimed by most.
Iris was listening with real interest
to Verity's description Of the finding
of Macfarlane in the Andromeda's boat
by n Cardiff bound collier three days
after he had drifted away from Fer
nando Noronha.
"The yarn KEN to us through the
consul at Pernambuco," he said. "Evi-
IDENTIFY, from wot you tell me, it's all
right. Poor ole Mac 'ad a bad time
afore e was picked up, but e was
alive, an I'm jolly glad Of 1t, for ell
be a first rate witness wen this bust
ness comes up in court"
"Wot court? demanded Coke sharp
ly.
"The court that settles our claim, of
course" retorted Verify, with quick
ferret look at his fellow conspirator.
"Therell be no claim. The president
means to stump up In style. You take
my tip an shut up about courts" said
Coke.
"Itll cost Brazil tidy penny" re-
marked Bulmer thoughtfully.
A criado, nondescript manservant
attached to the household, stopped
over Iris and whispered something.
She gathered that she was wanted In
the pateo, or courtyard. which, owing
to the construction Of the house, stood
on one side instead Of in front, where
the lawn usurped its usual position.
"Who Is It 2" she asked.
Colonel San Benavides, senhora."
"Tell him to wait" she said, hoping
to gain a moment wherein to decide
how best to act.
ut is urgent, senhora-ao mesmo
tempo, the colonel said."
GO! That is my answer"
Iris had no wish to meet San Bena-
vides. If she were seen with him In
the dark pateo at this late hour fuel
would be added to the fire Of Carme-
las foolish spite. She was aware of