The Washington times., 1911-04-14

A ! O'CLOCK, tnen oI Ih'i
" the president, seeking his MINIS
~ ter of war, found him in the
billiard room. Despite the def
erenca which he owed Dona lneZ for
her sex-or, at any rate, for her ao-
vanced age-Colonel Kilrae's feet were
resting upon the table, at comtorlaple
resnect. however, the duenna was Sc
reneIv obliVious; she dozed, nodulnS
her wicked head The colonel was IN
little better case, nodding drowsliy over
a long, black cheroot, while In one
hand he held a slender glass, wherein
were brandy and cracked ice. He lacked
energy 10 add the soda, which STOOD
'uSf Malone ITH % coughed discreetly, his eyes
III | intrude-'' he suggested. .,
KiIrae sprang to his feet with renel
which he did not attempt to isg disgu1Sie niens-
". stop and join me, Malone; l was
about to drink. Fill up your glass
The sonora de Casada stepped into the
room from the patio. She had thrown
over her head and shoulders manulla,
whose filmy folds of dark lace work
brought out the creamy pertecuon OF
her throat and the soft gold of her
hair. She was slightly flushed, either
from excitement, triumph, or fatigue
The evening. though crowned with
victory beyond her hopes. had been
Don't let me interrupt" she said
with a pretty air. You were toast
"Our charming hostessy cried Kill
rae, raising his glass.
'One moment colonel-oh, but l will.
Adele!" Malone interposed. "Kilrae is
my nearest friend
Well" she conceded, 'ff you must!
ITO my promised wife, colonel!'' he
corrected, pressing. his lips to her hand
ere he lifted his glass.
Whatever astonishment the minister
Of war may have felt. he concealed it
and drank his drink with spirit.
81 am delighted, sonora, to be the first
to give congratulations to you both
Thank you. senior. The pleasure is
also to me, since you are the close friend
of Ba-of Barry" Her tongue tripped
over the namo as If ineXpert in its use;
colonel. And may l hope that"
she concluded with gracious innuen-
do.
II am indeed doubly favored with the
offer of your friendship, sonora. Be sure
I'll not be backward in accepting"
While Kilrae bent over her fingers
courtierly. she submitting with a COM
ptaisaGce which became well the future
mistress of the Green House. a servant
entered. obsequiously deferential.
The sonora will pardon"
"I will not!' she burst out angTily.
Did l not give orders that I was not
to be interrupted"
But, sonora, there is one at the door
who will not be refused. He insists that
he must see the president
AS if in confirmation of his words, the
electric bell rang sharply; he who was
without had grown impatient at the de-
l5y. The peal of sound smote upon Ma
lones ears unpleasantly, rousfng him
from the dream wherein he had lin
gered. Who should seek him at this
hour of the night, when TO all public
knowledge he was secure in the Green
House, he could not imagine. He looked
the servant over suspiciously, with a
hint Of sternness in his gaze.
And who told you that I was the
PRESIDENT" he demanded.
He who asks for you at the door,
your excellency."
TT is most strange" unused Malone.
continued the servant una dashed. The
presidents face is no stranger to the
citizens of the republic"
IT will see who it is, your excellency,"
Eiirae said.
Rut in defiance to his protests-and re
was with reason apprehensive-Malone
and the sonora insisted upon accom-
panving him. The sonora, indeed. would
have gone alone, and Kilrae, watching
the play of expression upon her face,
thought that he detected an emotion
of alarm that was not wholly disinter-
ested But being opposed, she acduies-
ced perforce. and, clinging to the presi-
dents arm, reluctantly followed the
There is naught to fear sweet" Ma
lone reassIIred her.
"Ah," she whispered softly, so that he
alone could hear her, Il cannot but
fear, Eecause-because-"
I know, ! know. But Kflrae and I
are never unarmed. Nv people do not
love me so much that may trust
them"
And so I fear. dear one"
Kilrae drew revolver as the servant
ranfinncly h.
headed, painting man would have forced
his way in. bat fell back at the muzzle
OF the gun.
"Ah. colonel dear" he cried, "if you
love the president. let me have word
with him.
Burke" exclaimed Malone with re-
lief.
Yes, your excellencyH'
shut that door, Kilrae. Now nv
man. what do you mean by deserving
your post7'
"I had to, master; even now they are
hanmering on your door, demanding
YOU. They would not take my word for
it that you had gone to bed. They"
Who. you idiot?''
THE officers av the guards, your ex-
cellency-"
What do they want Of me? Speak
up, man! Don't you know?'
But, your eNcellency-"
"Oh. speak! These are my friends"
VERY we'll" The man was uncon-
WINGED and reluctant, but. realizing that
his masters anger was rising rapidly,
he made an end to all attempts at eva
sion. "A courier is Just in from the
south. master. The news is that the in
surgents are assembling in La Maroma,
under General Ursua. They have cap
tured La Marona and forced the militia
under General Pedros to Join them.
Pedros thev have shot"
That's Castro's handr' cried Kilrae.
Fools, dolts. Why could they not
waltz" murmured the sonora angrily.
What is that?" Malone asked her
"A prayer for your safety DEAR" she
said falsely. 'I am afraidi'
Her words stirred the presidents
heart. beyond doubt she loves met
he thought exultantly. Aloud, he re-
peated: There is naught to fear; moth
ing has happened but what have been
expecting, save that Pedros has failed
me-God rest his soul! A brave man,
hut stupid-I should have known better
] believe, my friends, that this insurrec-
ton is merely local. A regiment or so
of regulars will make them take to the
mountains"