The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-08-27

zatef What possible errand could
bring q steamer 10 this remote, unYis-
tied, all but forgotten little island?
AS the oarsmen drove the boat upon
the beach the man in the stern sprang
forward. and the Stranger approached,
dofing his helmet courteously.
You are the American and English
party who landed here some weeks
ago from the Rufus Smith2''
His English was easy and correct,
though spoken with a pronounced
Spanish accent. His dark high-fea-
tured face was the face Of a Spaniard.
And his grace was the grace of a
Spaniard, as he bowed sweepingly and
handed Mr.. Shaw a card.
~Senor Don Enrique Gonzales" said
Dugald, bowling In his stif-necked
fashion, II am happy to see you. But
as you represent his excelleney the
president of the republic OF Santa
Marina ! suppose you come on bust
ness, Senior Gonzales?''
Precisely. / am enchanted that
you apprehend the fact without the
tiresomeness of explanations. For
business is cold, usually a disagree
able affair, is it not so? That being
the case. let US get it over"
First do US the honor TO be seated,
Senior Gonzales"
Comfortably bestowed in a camp
chair in the shade, the Spaniard re-
suIned:
my friend, this island belongs. as
of course you are aware, to the re-
public. Of which have the honor TO be
a citizen. All rights and privileges,
such as harvesting the copra crop, are
strictly conserved by the republic. All
persons desiring such are required TO
negotiate with the minister of state of
the republic. And how much more,
when 1t is a question of treasure-of
a very large treasure, senor?"
The Scotchman's face was dark.
81 had understood" he replied,
without looking in the direction of
Miss Higglesby- Browne, who seemed
in the last few moments TO have I'M
dergone some mysterious shrinking
process. that negotiations in the
proper quarter had been undertaken
and brought to a successful conclusion
that in short we were here with the
express permission of the government
of Santa Marina"
This was a challenge which Miss
Browne could not but meet.
81 had" she said hoarsely, 81 had
the assurance of "a person high in
! the financial circles of the United
States, that through his-his influence
with the government of Santa Marina
Ii would not be necesSary-in. short,
that he could fix the PRESIDENT en-
ploy his own term--for a considerable
sum, which (which my friend Miss
Harding gave him."
"And the name of this influential
personT' inquired the Santa Marinan,
suavely.
Hamilton n. Tubbs." croaked Miss
Browne
Senior Gonzales smiled.
"T remember the name well, madam.
1t is that of the pretended holder of a
concession from our government, who
few years ago induced a number of
American school teachers and clergy
men and other financially innocent
persons to invest in imaginary coffee
plantations. He had in some doubtful
fashion become possessed of little
entirely worthless land, which formed
| the basis of his transactions. His
| frauds were discovered while he was
| In our country. and he was obliged to
| leave between two days, according TO
/ your so picturesque idiom. Needless
TO say his application for permission
to visit Leeward island for any pur-
| pose would instantly have been re-
fused, but as a matter of fact it was
| never made
In a benumbed silence we met the
blow. The riches that had seemed
within our grasp would never be ours.
We had no claim upon them, for all
our toll and peril; no right even to be
here upon the island. Suddenly / be
gan to laugh; faces wearing various
shades of shocked surprise were
turned on me. Still / laughed
"Don't you see," cried, "how ride
ulous 1t all is? All the time it is we
who have been pirates!''
The Spaniard gave me a smile made
brilliant by the CLEAN of smoldering
black eyes and the shine of white
| teeth.
'Senorita, with all regret, 1 must
agree"
whats in a Manner remarked Du-
gald Shaw. Struggling. 1--WE were
/ after other peoples property, anyway
/ am very sorry about it, Senior Con
zales, but / would like to ask, IL you
don't mind telling, how you happened
/ to learn OF our being here, so long as
1t was not through the authentic
/ channels. On general principles,
tried to keep the matter quiet"
I'VE learned in a manner somewhat
what do you say?-curious," re
turned the Spaniard, who. having pre-
sentest the men with cigars and BY
permission lighted one himself, was
making himself extremely at home and
| opDaarod 70 hava M fpuodfafo infQn.