The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1915-01-15

4
Hunt" said vanderpool. "Anc
W did you not come here this way
the first place, instead OF spying
upon my activities disguised AS q
goodnees-knows-what?"
Because knew you would be On.
der no necessity to tell me anything
unless ! already possessed some
knowledge" lied Hill with readiness
that surprised himself.
Then this is q sort OF blackmail?"
Not at ALL" cried Sam hotly. y
have no wish to use the power which
the knowledge have gives me over
you-though that and the evidence Of
the friends who rescued me from that
beastly hut would be a pretty strong
weapon II | chose to use 1t. But |
don't; to do so would be to defeat my
own ends and those of Iris. What I
want Is nothing mora than some state
ment from you, which will enable me
to fulfil the conditions OF that promise
which your daughter has signed Be
yond reassuring her. give you my
word that shall keep your confidence
entirely: furthermore. II can hon
estly do SO. | shall even assist you IN
your enterprise!"
Vanderpool arose and began to pace
up and down, silently, appearing to
consider the proposition that the
younger man had just made. Then he
stopped abruptly. shooting a direct
glance at HIN from under bis fine
brows He was man OF quick deci-
sions. and he had decided in Hill's
favor.
i believe you are sincere" he said
slowly. and there. am going to trust
you with the whole story. Sit down
and smoke II you like-no. | prefer
to walk"
The financier continued to pace In
silence for few moments, his white
head bowed. his thin. youthful figure
alert and active as a boys. his hand
some cameo-like features contracted
IN thought Then he spoke abruptly.
You have surmised that a revolu-
ton was afoot? You are right-there
is--in Venezuela. My asphalt inter-
ests are chiefly there. The export-tax.
as 1t stands. would be a drain upon
my profits, and ostensibly that Is the
reason for my backing this scheme to
upset the present government But
there is another reason, a deeper one,
known only to myself and one other
Rowe. 1t concerns a woman, who,
he tells me, is kept prisoner by the
now president of that God-forsaken
place. Let me tell you about her.
When first took up this business L
went to Venezuela to make my con-
tracts. l got good ones. and made
friends with the dictator--a fine old
man. He had very young wife-hard-
ly more than child. fell In love
with her and she with me. She had
child-a girl 1t was, but 1t was be-
ing brought up as boy because the
father had been so bitterly disap-
pointed at having no son .. and
Carmen was faithful to her child and
her husband .. | am glad she
was would not have had 1t
otherwise. But we danced together q
great deal there was no harm
in that ~. Then. one night the
or rather the usual revolu-
ton broke out. 1t broke out In the
ballroom where We were
Waiting. The orchestra stopped
abruptly: all was confusion. was
knocked unconscious while trying to
save her husband When came TO- I |
was aboard ship bound for New
York. The president was saved. as
learned afterward, but the revolution
was successful and he was deposed.
Carmen. heard. was dead. Then.
after a while. married to please my |
family"
Iris mother7" said Hill.
~Yes," continued vanderpool. aShe |
died within year. leaving the baby |
| was fond OF her. In way, |
and sorry -. but never forgot |
Carmen. Recently. came across
Rowe. who had been prominent In the |
affairs Of Venezuela during my visits |
there. He told me that Carmen was
not dead Good God! that |
was all he needed to say. but be
added that she was being kept pris-
Dner. to all intents and purposes. BY /
The present government for fear that |
The country would rise IN favor Of her
son II she were left free.
Now you will understand the sltua-
ion. | have financed everything. The /
ast boat sails on the early tide. before |
daylight tomorrow. l have here let
ler to my daughter which ! thought |
would sufficiently explain ny ab-
renee"
you are going with them-vith
ne resoIutionists!~ exclaimed Hi.
7 am going TO rescue Carmen re-
Piled vanderDooi with q vistful smile
And you sail at dawn VIII you
lot come with me to the house at
nee. and tell Iris what you have told
ne" cried Hill excitedly. by ioFsl
Is q wonderful storyl Il win set