Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-01-14

inst fully to appreciate her. He did
however. learn in time that. while be
could successfully match his craft
against that of the husband. the wife
read him unerringly. The result was
that be broke with them openly.
When news OF this reached the mem.
/ bers of the canal commission they
were alarmed. and Colonel Jolson felt
it necessary to make known their
views upon the situation. Accordingly.
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 Garayel 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. I had
my doubts"
But could he win? It would be a
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 g..
up easily-but if Garavel should be the
next president it would be fine thing
for both countries"
Over at Panama the Cortlandts were
looking for a house to lease. Affairs
had reached a point where it seemed
advisable to give up their quarters at
the Tivoh 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 a
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 of
great intelligence. He was courtly and
deliberate, evincing pride that sprang
not only from good blood but from
good deeds. His poise was that of
man with heavy responsibilities. for
Andres Garavel was a careful banker
and a rich one. He was widely trav-
eled. well informed and an agreeable
talker.
81 am so disappointed that your
daughter could not come" Edith told
him for the second time. I'm afraid
she objects to our American informal
ity."
NO. no. my dear lady" said their
guest. "She admires American Gus
toms, as I do. We are progressive-we
have travelled. In my home. in my pri-
vate life. perhaps. 1 am a Panama
MAN, but in my business and in my con-
tact with other people 1 am as they |
She has had wide education for |
child. She has Travelled, she speaks |
Eve languages. and yet underneath it
Ill she is a Garavel and hence Pan
amanian. She is all have, and my |
life is hers"
The meal progressed with only the
small talk to enliven it, but
rs soon as the three had adjourned TO
he Cortlandt suit the host Of the even
ng proceeded to approach the subject
n his mind as directly as the circum-
stances permitted. Through a series of
natural transitions the conversation
vas brought around to politics. and
iaravel was aGroitly sounded But he
displayed little interest When at last
lie consented to show his awareness of
he suggestion so constantly held out
lie spoke with deliberate intention.
General Alfarez is my respected
riend." he said. with a quietness that
Intensified his meaning. land / rejoice
hat he will be the next president of
'anama."
you. of course. know that there is
opposition to him."
''An Panama knows that
General Alfarez does not seem to be
friend of the United States. May |
peak frankly?''
Garavel inclined his white head with
ut removing his intense. dark eyes
rom the speaker.
''Don Anibal Alfarez can never be
resident OF Panama"
The banker made no visible move
lent. yet the effect Of this positive
was almost like that of :
low. After a pause he said:
MAY ! tell him you said SOP
''If you wish. but ! do not think you
ILL.,"
The nearer let his eyes fit question