The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1915-01-01

mean? Explain, for by the Holy
Mother, you shall not leave this room
until you have done sol"
A subtle, inscrutable smile played
around the corners of Rowe's mouth,
and he lighted fresh cigar with much
elaboration before replying. Then he
looked the captain squarely in the eyes
and his jaw took on a determined set
that made 1t seem squarer than ever.
81 intend to be dictator of Vene-
suela," he said very distinctly.
Again silence. On the old-fashioned
| marble mantle shelf an ornate little
clock licked loudly, and from some
where near at hand came a low moan,
| so low and faint that none Of the men
heard 1t, prepossessed as they were
| with the stupendous statement that
had just been made.
"And how do you intend going
about attaining this mild ambition?"
asked the second officer with mock
courtesy. A look from Rowe cut him
short, and wiped the smile from his
| face.
Il have already gone about it" Rowe
| said in his precise way. 1T only re-
mains for you gentlemen to make a
| decision between the situations. On
one hand, you support me, lend me the
power which you eontrol-a no mean
| force as | am quite aware-and / will
| present you each with the official ap-
| pointment which you most desire in
the Venezuelan government-you shall
be ministers, admirals, premiers-even
reasurers-anything you will, when
once l am seated in the presidential
chair. On the other hand, refuse, and
l will simply bring my two turtle-doves
together, and there will be no revolu-
ton. Mark my words-the tariff on
| asphalt is only a minor issue with
our friend. Once he has the lady,
| he'll risk neither life nor money In
our enterprise!"
81 do not believe you'll" cried the sec
ond officer holly. Il think you are
lying!"
Rowe looked straight at him, meet
ing him eye to eye.
you know l am not lying" he re-
| sponded slowly. "Try 1t, If you doubt
mel"
You would be ruined if we did so
and it proved true" murmured the
captain.
I'D rather see us all ruined than
fail of my pet plan," rejoined Rowe.
A long silence followed, which was
broken at last by the captain, who
arose with sigh.
We'll, Valdez" said he, you have
got us at your-shan we say-mercy?
l think the other gentlemen will agree
that there Is nothing for us to do but
consent to help you, and incidentally,
ourselves, II you are to be trusted to
fulfill your promises to US, which
doubt. Any other course we may take
seems even more likely to land us in
prison than this does.'
One by one they agreed and then,
with regal gesture, Rowe dismissed
them.
Tomorrow we shall talk" he said.
II shall meet you all here at ten
o'clock In the evening. Meanwhile,
sweet dreams of our future power"
Then, one by one, they left, string
ing out down the steps, and clanking
across the little paved court, leaving
him alone.
"Gracios a Dios, that is over!" said
he, stretching luxuriously.
1T Is not overt" said voice behind
him.
He wheeled about, and there stood
the sonora. her golden hair in disorder,
her face white as death.
81 have been outside for ten min
utes," she said, land have heard ev-
erything!"
Heard you you listened" he
stammered. the room seeming to reel
about him.
Yes! heard! listened and
found out how you have been deceiv-
ing me-you, whom l have trusted,
whom I have loved as a friend of my
heart, whom I have put my faith in.
and come away with into this strange
land. Oh! you have cheated, and re-
viled me, and believed In you You
have lied to me-lied, lied, lied! About
my lover you have lied, about my coun-
try, about your patriotism-you have
used me as a tool with which to &C
complish your own dishonorable ambi-
lions! Have you lied to me about
my child? Answer me! Is she dead,
even as you said? Why does she write
no more? Tell me, do you know? All!
would not believe you even IL you
spoke, and yet, l must-I must
Where is my lover? Where? Tell me!
You shall tell me! l will have the
truth out of your lying throatl"
| Garment" he cried. For the love
of God be quiet! You are like a mad
woman"
"Mad!" she screamed. would you
not be mad? Tell me where he is, I
sayl"
1T will not!" he stormed. Tell you
do you think / am mad also?"
Then. II you do not tell me. will
leaye youi" she said through ner teeth