The Washington times., 1911-04-18


tered groups Of the brightly uniformed
Bulldogs, and officers of the regulars in
| their more sober blue and red and gold,
with here and there relieving figures In
| white or khaki-the commanders Of the
militia.
The barracks, in the Gale Mayor, ad-
jacent to the Palacio Federal, were also
astir. In front of them regiment Of
regulars, equipped for the road. had as
sembled, and now stood idly at ease,
ready to form in ranks at the word Of
command. Above them fioated a ponder
Gus, aureole-like cloud of BLUSH smoke,
since each separate man puffed vigor-
ously upon cigarette or cigar. In the
southern lands one smokes from dawn
to dark, ceasing but to eat; and then
one smokes between the courses.
Jimmy and the captain, Fastening past
these groups of chattering men, caught
fragments of conversation that warmed
their imagination no less than did this
rare activity Of the military.
Pedros' -'insurgents''-'La Maroma"
-"Ursua."
Now. what are you gathering from
this?" demanded the captain.
War" replied Jimmy briefly, his eyes
glistening at the brave, soldierly scene.
the assured, well-drilled bearing Of the
officers.
Malone, he thought, ruled we'll and
wisely TO have provided such an army;
and his mind reverting to the slouchy,
careless forces of other republics which
he had seen or served. he gave their
rulers = presidents or dictators - blame
that they had not followed or antici-
pated the example.
Unconsciously he stiffened his shoul-
ders and corrected his stride to the cap
tatn's; the leaven was working within
him. He knew these men, or their kin:
he had fought by their sides, or against
them; he had served in their ranks and
commanded them; and now his palm
itched for the grip of the sword -hilt and
the ring of spurs upon his heels.
1T means war; he continued. 1.-THE
revolution has broken out, and am late
in the field. However, this war is not
for the likes OF me, cap'n; we'll have
scrap enough to get the senorita out of
the clutches OF kazard and his gang"
I'VE WILL" said the captain grimly.
The wound in his scalp burned a bit;
he thought of Lazard and lusted for his
blood. If ever Hendry got within strik-
ing distance of him, that shot in the
saloon of the Miranda ]. was like to
A sentry halted them at the door of
the guardroom in the Green House. A
stoCky young Hibernian lieutenant an
swered to Curtice's request for a word
with the officer of the day. He was
plainly not in the best of humors, may
hap because the chance for promotion
which he desired would be far from him,
who must needs stick to garrison life
and guard the person OF the president.
We'll" he drawled, lounging in the
doorway, nor offering to let them in,
what dye want with me?'
But very little, lieutenant It Is the
president We wish to see.''
Very likely. But will his excellency
be wanting to see you? That's the Ques-
ton He grinned triumphantly, as one
who, through arduous reasoning, arrives
at a logical conclusion.
II think his excellency will be glad to
0f-z IL a111 1D,,-
young guard. My business with him
is of pressing moment"
And his eXcellency'S present business
is likewise of pressing moment" said
the Hlbernian lieutenant. I'm short, he
is too busy to waste time with the likes
of vou.''
Il repeat began Jimmy quietly.
''Oh. We do? Well, you may do your
repeating to the president himself In
And when will that be-" asked
Jimmy, as the lieutenant turned away.
"'The day after tomorrow, at 10 o CLOCK
in the morning. VIII that do for you?
1T will not; l must see him at once"
We'll, you can't. That's fat. Get
out wild ye now
rs Colonel Kilrae engaged?'
He is-with the president:
will YOU be kind enough to carry
my name to him.
Now what might your name be.
them"
"Curtice-James Curtice."
And We are a white maD?" cried tie
lieutenant in apparent amazement.
never would have known II, upon me
word, Why. don't We wash your face?'
Fortunately for Jimmy's self-restraint,
which was being put to severe test,
gray-haired captain, who sat writing at
a table within, looked up at the name
and gave interruption TO the lteuten- |
ants amusement.
"Curtice?" he demanded, knitting his
brows as he gazed at the couple. Now,
which one of you says he's Jimmy Cur
"OBrien!" cried Jimmy. This is
luckr'
The captain came forward. and,
Curtice by the arm. dragged
him into the light. His Identification
was instantaneous; the verdict was an
enthusiastically upon young Amen-
cans neck. i
by the powers. my son, but I'm glad |
to see you! Dineen, man." he called to /
immediate that Captain Curtice is here, |
offerin' his sword to the service"
II thought So" commented Hendry. |
The lieutenant went. unwillingly |
enough, casting back suspicious g1ances
at the TWO old friends fraterniZing. Re- |
turning, he conducted Curtice and Cap |
tain Hendry to the door of Malone's |
apartments, and there he paused with |
hand on Jimmys arm.
IF We be Curtice-Captain Curtice of |
the Honduranian army" he said-"Fve |
an apology to offer you, sir. But, man"
he added with fash of humor which |
he could not repress, 'ye should by all |
means wash the face Of ye.
"Oh, that's all right" replied Curtice |
and, Burke admitting |
them, they passed into the room.
Beyond doubt a council of war was in |
progress. Upon the broad dining table |
were a score of typographical maps |
spread fat, and about it-at the moment |
leaning over II and following with |
strained attention the movements of a |
blue pencil held by one of their number |
were some half dozen of the heads of |
he government, among them the presi- |
dent and the minister of war.
The atmosphere was thick with the |
fumes Of burnt tobacco; great white |
-eafs of smoke hung drowsily, circling |
noodily about the center lamp, which, |
suspended above the table, gave saffron |
to the scene. A feeling OF !
depression, too, made It's presence evil |
dent In the varied expressions upon the |
faces of the gathering. The president |
alone wore a countenance that exhibit |
ed no lack of confidence. He lolled in |
his chair. listening with Difference, it is
true, TO Eilrac. who was speaking, but
shaking his head in dissent to some
theory which the minister was advanc-
ing.
(The Continuation of This Story WIN
he Found In TOmorrOw's Tissue
of The Tfmes.)