The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-11-06
The TWICE AMERICAN
BY ELEANOR NJ. INGRAM

self.
1--WE shall lunch outside, not
so?' he inquired, leading the way
to a veranda used as a breakfast
room. II am a hungry wolf! 1t
is pleasant out here, yes?"
YES" agreed Bruce. He
braced himself. There was some
thing which had to be said; some
thing he did not want to say, yet
was obstinately determined to
convey to this smiling young Bra
lillian before they sat at table to-
gether. He would take no advan-
tagc, morbidly proud as a Scot.
Yes" he said again. much
pleasanter than at Rio Mabuco."
The shameful name Of the pris-
on was spoken. He waited the re-
suit. Milo Valdez, leaning forward
IN his chair to inspect the con-
tents of a dish just uncovered be-
fore him, nodded without any evil
dence Of shocked amazement.
Truly! Yet you should have
seen 1t some years ago, before
Dom David was governor Of the
state. But such reforms are made
slowly! Naturally, those who are
outside object to paying taxes for
those who are in; especially in
these times when few people go to
prison. This country is quiet;
there Ire countries where no one
knows what night he will sleep in
Jail where election time-well, no
more could be packed into those
agreeable places of retirement.
Pedro" he turned to the man be-
hind his chair, S'there is too much
claret in this lemonade"
He glanced across, and catching
Bruce's expression, smiled broad
ly.
IAN Indian, was it," he queried
'or a negro? Oh, we'll, sometimes
these acts of force are necessary.
Fifty years ago, it would not have
mattered at all. Now, we are so
modern. And you quiet men are
very forcible-when you are! Dom
Davld-now-never mind! But
tell me, is it true that all yonr
young ladies have white com
plexions, and walk on the streets
aloneY"
"Yes-no," stammered Bruce
dazedly.
He was not sure whether Valdez
was chatting him, or whether he
lacked a sober sense Of morality
in the matter Of taking human
life, or.if it was merely a case of q
viewpoint different beyond belief.
He could feel that he had been
justified in shooting the Indian
who was about to destroy his
bridge, but he could not laugh at
the episode. Nevertheless, he was
vastly relieved to find himself ac-
|ceptable as a companion. He had
hardly hoped for SO much.
The luncheon was a cheerful af-
fair. Valdez proved fond of talk
ing, on any subject, but especially
about himself and David Noel. He
was extremely proud Of his conf
dental position with Noel, and
basked in the reflected Importance
it shed about him.
My brother is a SENATOR he
declared. And has his finger on
the pulse Of great events? Yes,
perhaps he has, a few times a year.
But /, / live with the making of
those eventsl I see them start, /
see them grow, / see them in the
completion. Not only politics
When the new diamond fields
were discovered some years ago,
who knew six months before the
public9 My brother, the senator
My father, the governorf Nc
Senior, | did. It was | who wrote
the document sealing Dom Ravid' !
colossal act Of magnificent patriot,
ism, there in the library / vote it
Yes, with tears Of rapture in my
Ieyes, I wrot from his e~xcellency'.
dictation that which was to SCI
every heart IN the republic at hi,
feet. What, yon starr You do no
know what it isl is it possible tina.
you do not know Of the Noe
mines?'
Bruce shook his head, keenly in
terested.
mo. Won't you tell mef'' h
urged.
Valdez rose tremendously
bowed and sat down again, push
ing aside his desert plate,
Senior, to tell that story to al
men is the duty of every citize
of the state where / was born, an
is also d debt Of honor. Yes, "
owe gratitude. And we pay it! Bu
no one knows the story SO well .
1T ,Mhee-hat=yy you hall4hearns
You must know, Senior, tbs