Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1914-04-23


eame into contact with her recognized
the master mind directing the cam
paign and, consciously or unconscious
", relegated her husband to the back
ground.
To the Latin intellect this display of
power on the part Of the woman was
revelation. She know the effect she
produced and made the most OF 1t.
Old Anibal Alfarex was perhaps the
last fully to appreciate her. He did,
however, learn in time that while he
could successfully match his craft
against that Of the husband, the vito
read him unerringly. The result was
that he broke with them openly.
When news Of this reached.the men,
bers Of the canal commission they
were alarmed, and Colonel Jolson felt
It necessary to make known their
views upon the situation. Accordingly,
q few nights later the Cortlandts dined
at his handsome residence OH the
heights above Culebra. After their re-
turn to Panama the colonel, in whom
was vested the supreme authority over
his nations interests, acknowledged
that his acquaintance with diplomacy
was as nothing as compared with
Edith Cortlandt's.
she thinks GaEavel is the proper
man." he said to Colonel Bland.
"Garavei IL banker. He's not
politician"
The chief engineer laughed.
! -l"Al Spanish-Americans are politi-
clans. colonel. They can't help it."
sWould he acceptY'
ut IL her business to find out had
my doubts"
"But could he wdn2 It would be
calamity II he had American backing
and failed. It would mean disaster"
"Cortlandt has been working CAREFUL
y, and he has been In all the seven
provinces. He admits that 1t might be
done. and she is certain. OF course 1t
win mean fght-Alfares won't give
up easily-but II Garavel should be the
next president 1t would be Ane thing
for both Countries
Over at Panama the Cortlandts were
looking for house to lease. Affairs
had reached point where it seemed
advisable to give up their quarters at
the Tlvoli and enter into closer COLI
tact with the life Of the Spanish city.
Meanwhile they gave a cerelnonious
little dinner, the one and only guest
being Andres Garavel, the banker.
OF all the charming peoples of Cen
trail America there are perhaps none
moro polished and we'll bred than the
upper class Panamanians. OF this
agreeable type Senior Garavel was an
admirable example. having sprung
from the finest Cast1lian stock. as a
nams running back through the pages
ok history 10 the earliest conquests at
tested =
The present bearer of the name was
81 distinguished appearance. He was
sHarthy Of sdn his hair was snow
white and he had stem black eyes cf
great intelligence H4 was courtly and
deliberate. evtncing pride that sprang
not only from good blood but from
Sood deeds. His poise was that of n
man with heavy responsibilities, for
Andres Garavel was careful banker
and a rich onA he was widely tray
eied. we'll Informed and an agreeable
talker.
II am 30 disappointed that your
daughter could not come" Edith told
him for the second time "I'm afraid
she objects to our American informal
ity."
mo. no. my dear LADY," said their
guest "she admires American Gus
toms. as do. We are proaressive-we
have Travelled. In my home, In my pri
vate life. perhaps. I am Panama.
MAN. but In my business and in my con
tact with other people am as they
are. It Is the same with my daughter
She has had wide education for u
child. She has Travelled, she speaks
I'VE languages, and yet underneath it
oil she is GaraveI and hence Pam
amanian. She Ia al have, and my
life is hers."
The meal progressed with only the
customary small talk to enliven 1t. but
as soon as the three had adjourned to
the C0rtlandt suit the host Of the even
Ing proceeded to approach the subject
tn his mind as directly us the cirtum
stances permitted Through series Of
natural transitions the conversation
was brought around to politics, and
Gafavel was adroitly sounded But he
displayed little interest When at last
he consented to show his awareness OF
the suggestion 80 constantly held out
ho spoke with deliberate intention.
General Alfarez is my respected
friend" he said. with a quistness that
intensified his meaning. "and / rejoice
that be will be the next president Of
Panana.s
"Yon. OF course, know that there is
I oppodt4on 10 himf'
Is IAN Panama knows that"
T General Aifares does not seem to be
"a friend q the United States May 1
speak frankiy,-
'0aravel inclined his white head with
out rsmovins his intense, dark eyes
! from The speaker.
Anibai Alfarex can never be
president OF Panama.
The banker made no visible move
ment, yet the effect Of this positive
declaration was almost like that Of a
blow After pause he said:
MAY I tell him you said so7"
III you wish, but I do not think you
VIII"