The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-02-14
CHAPTER XIV.
Garavel and His Dauqhter.

80 when they dined without
from one to dozen guests became so
exceptional as to elicit remark around
the hotel Most of their efforts were
devoted to certain Panamanians of the
influential class, and in company with
one or more of these Cortlandt made
frequent trips to the various quarters
of the republic. sometimes absenting
himself for days at a time
During these intervals his wife as
sumed the direction of affairs and con-
tinued to entertain or be entertained.
Her energy and resource seemed mex
haustible Soon she became the social
dictator of the city. and the most ex-
elusive circles, American and Pana-
manian alike, allowed her to assume
control
The result was just what had been
designed. Tourists and whiting news
paper people spoke glowingly of the
amity between the two nations and
wondered at the absence of that Span
ish prejudice of which they had heard
SO much. Those who CHANGED to know
the deeper significance of it all and
ment that lay in the Latin mind COM
mented admiringly upon her work and
wondered what effect it would have
upon the coming election.
No one but the woman herself and
her husband really understood the ire
mendous difficulties of their task or
the vital issues at stake. All who
came 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 knew the effect she
produced and made the most of it.
Old Anibal Alfarez 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 wife
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.
a few nights later the Cortlandts dined
at his handsome residence on 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 Garavel is the proper
man." he said to Colonel Bland.
'Garavel is a banker. He's not a
politician
The chief engineer laughed.
"All Spanish-Americans are politi-
clans. colonel. They can't help it,
Would he accept?''
1T is her business to find out l had
my doubts
But could he win? 1t would be n
calamity if he had American backing
and failed. 1t would mean Disaster
"Cortlandt has been working careful
~. and he has been in all the seven
provinces. He admits that it might be
done. and she is certain. Of course it
will mean fght-AlfareZ won't give
up easily-but if Garavel should be the
next president it would be fine thing
for both countries
Over at Panama the Cortlandts We're
looking for a house to lease. Affairs
had reached 4 point where it seemed
advisable to give up their quarters at
the Tivoli and enter into closer con-
tact with the life of the Spanish city.
Meanwhile they gave a ceremoniouS
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
more polished and well bred than the
upper class Panamanians. Of this
agreeable type Senior Garavel was an
admirable example, having sprung
from the finest Castilian stock. as Il
name running back through the pages
of history to the earliest conqueSts at
tested
The present bearer of the name was
of distinguished appearance. He was
swarthy of skin. his hair was snow
white. and he had stern black eyes o
great intelligence. He was courtly and
deliberate. evincin- pride that sprane
not only from good blood but from
good deeds. His poise was that of
man with heavy responsibilities. for
Andres Garavel was careful banker
and a rich one. He was widely trav-
eled. well informed and an agreeable
talker