Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-06-11
CHAPTER IX.-(Continued.)

There had been several letters from
New York, by the time Bruce had
quite accustomed himself to a life so
different from any he had ever vision
ed as his own. With each letter from
the north. nhis. thin, angular fac
smoothed into greater placidity. He
lost the haggardness Rio Nabuco had
stamped upon him. After a time. his
morbid shyness became no more than
his normal state of student abstrac-
ton.
Marshal Granados was at the villa
a great deal. during those months.
He took a marked liking to the young
man who was his opposite in almost
every trait and taste. and, delighted in
drawing Bruce into arguments CAL
culated to- rufie the ,evenness of tenn
contided~ te-Noel. that he was trying
to find out how Bruce had eve been
goaded to- Kill a man; even an Indian.
He did not. believe the thing was pos
sible, confession or nc confession.
He is as gentle as Nilo's sister
Januaria," :Granados declared once.
He had the fever and dreamed all
that, David
Noel only smiled. He understood
Bruce better. He was u~nvaryingly
kind to the kinsman Of Constance,
"iSAiouI CAt4C Giving VI ooNA1S y
fdences. He had not very much time
to spare his protege, but he liked to
watch Bruce regain assurance and
health: and he savored the compli-
ment Of the others content in his
house. Perhaps, he fancied it indi-
rectly prophetic of the content of n
other Bruce.
The progress of the great war was
closely followed by the group in the
villa. Guided by Noel's prediction, 1t
was not hard to see how the United
States was being pushed slowly to-
ward the precipice. At home in the
republic the German propaganda was
carried forward nor and more ac-
lively.
as diligently. The activities at the
House of the Little Shoes were in
creased. OF much of the campaign
Corey Bruce vas ignorant, although
in much he shared. After all. he was
out resentment, content to do the
share allotted him. s e
1t was after he had passed an entire
year at the villa, in the spring of the
year 1916, that Bruce heard the first
whispers Of a plan that seemed to
grow overnight like a magical tree.
Milo Valdez was almost wild with ex-
element at the prospect of his part
in it. GranadOs was grave and disap-
proving. DR.. Valdez wanted, Noel to
go on a secret mission to Washington.
There was another dinner at the
villa, when doors were closed and
Benito. at guard between the blue
draperies at the window. The guests
were those of the former occasion.
The consultation was long and grave.
Granados yehemently opposed NoeIs
a%bsenting- himself at d period SO
critical. The Governor and Senior
Ferraz urged the Importance of the
mission; a mission to which they only
alluded, so vital was its secrecy to its
success, and of which Corey Bruce
and even Milo Valdez only guessed
the purport. Noel himself was neu-
trail, listening to the arguments on
both sides. Yet, Bruce, watching
him, judged shrewdly. that he wished
to go; perhaps wished 1t g. strongly
that he distrusted his own bias and
let his friends decide
Granados was argued down.. Slow
ly he was forced to admit the others
had reason in ~contending that Noel's
his associates, while no-other SO 1t as
he. for 5,the delicate northern work
could be found among them.
But not too. long! Granados finally
capitulatea do not stay away too
On this9 understanding the matter
was settled. Noel was to spend a
month in setting his affairs In order
before leaving. He was to remain in
the United States no longer than the
! work required. Milo Valdez was to
accompany him. Marshal Granadol
was to, stay at the villa as much az
possible, land Corey Bruce was to aid
the soldier in looking after Noel's at
fairs.
When Benito opened the doors and
THE guestssJose to depart, d subtle at
mosphare Of change had already set
tied over the villa. It seemed that a
page Of Its life had been turned, and
2 blank ons awaitsd the writing OF the
future. &9st
That sense Of change persisted dur
ing the weeks; that passed before Noel
sailed for Sttss North. They were
crowded weeks 6fsplanntng and ar.
rangements made, 81 interviews with
1.-The chiefs OF varied Undertakings. AZ
Milo Valdez pointed out. when Bruce
or GFanados were dismayed by the
charges left in their hands, there ex.