Enterprise news-record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1910-1911, 1911-02-08

m
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 off 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:
81 shall be ready. uncle, dear. i
promised Dom Corria to look after the
hospital appliances that are so 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"
Carmela, of course, did not believe
in woman's complacency in such
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
starlt sky made beautiful parched
earth, but never a word in privacy did
Iris exchange with her husband to be.
| Carmelas malice was not hidden from
her, but she despised it. There was
some ease for her tortured brain in de-
| feating it. 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 init
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 exigencies 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 serv
ants, took their meals there In COM
mon. Supper was served soon after 8
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 q 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 fnca were now
absent, there was no lack of lively
chatter. A very Babel Of tongues
mixed in amityA 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 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 Pm jolly glad of it. for ell
be a first rate witness wen this bust
, ness comes up in court"
"Wot courtT p demanded Coke sharp
, ly.
"The court that settles our claim, oi
e course" retorted Verify, with quicl
ferret look at his fellow conspirator.
"There'll be no claim. The presiden
a | means to stump up in style. You TAXI
i, my tip an shut up about courts" sait
+ Coke.
b It'll cost Brazil tidy penny" re
e marked Bulmer thoughtfully.
= A criado, nondescript manservan
attached to the household, STOPPED
over Iris and whispered something
She gathered that she was wanted II
the pateo. or courtyard, which, owini
to the construction of the house, stoo,
on one side instead Of in front, wher
the lawn usurped its usual position.
''Who is it?" she asked.
Colonel San Benavides, senhora."
Tell him TO wait" she said, hopin
to gain moment wherein to decid
how best to act
1T is urgent. senhora-ao mesm
tempo, the colonel said"
go! That is my answer"
Iris had no wish to meet San Benz
vides. If she were seen with him
the dark pateo at this late hour fu,
would be added to the fire Of Carm'
las foolish spite. She was aware {
Carmela's covert glance watching be
from the other end of the long room
What was to be donef Why not sen
Carmela in her stead? They were a
most of the same height and dresse
somewhat alike In fiowered muslil
4 II would be an amusing mistak
4 though annoying perhaps to San BEN
vides. At any rate. Carmela would NJ
4 object, and Iris was fully resolved M
] to keep the tryst In person.