Evening star., 1921-05-15

with the contemptuous leader Of the
most radical element in Magella-
Still. Diego liked to think Of himself
as the champion of civilization and
order; he could picture united Ma
CELIA, a rich Magella linked to the
steamship lanes: he could vision the
wealth of the Marias flowing steadily
across the hills, leaving rich de-
posit in the pockets Of the people and
in the national treasury. It was
pretty dream; Diego might have
to glance up just in time to see
Gonelli coming through the garden.
He was so terrified that he shouted
at Pug furiously: Never! You
Americans have the audacity Of the
devil Go back to your cowardly COM
them that Diego win hold the Marias
in the name Of God and Magella."
And he added. with infinite disgust,
most evidently for Gonellfs benefit:
I'VE despise you. The name Fairchild
is a synonym for greed and selfish
ness. Adios, Senior FairchiId."
Gpnelli stared at Pug in astonish-
ment, since no one, to his knowledge
had left the American consulate with
in the hour. The two men bowed
very politely; Pug, giancing quickly
at the girl. found her eyes fixed on
attention to him. Pug didn't even
know her name. but he had fallen
head over heels in love with her. He
waited, staring miserably at her. He
had stubbed his toe, after all.
Not looking at him. she said very
pect you to Join us tomorrow at the
Arena Goldoni."
Pug's heart contracted. The little
f1irt! The heartless little devil! He
might have known. He stuck his
hands in the pockets Of the consurs
across the garden. conscious Of three
pairs of amused eyes focused on the
back OF his head. The sleepy sentry
led him through a cool Aro8de and
opened a wooden gate. Pug found
himself standing in tho wide. dusty.
cab was waiting at the curb. Pug
jumped In. slammed the door. and
shouted through tho window: 70 the
American consulate. Sublto? The
cabman. who had been dosing pleas
anty. woke with a start, and the
around the corner to the consulate.
Pug jumped out and pounded With
both fists on the closed door. A ter
rified Indian boy opened to him and
Pug squeezed through Just a. the
somnolent cabby, realixing his mis-
take, spiattereo ths Qoof Win Dull
let's.
"whew!" said Pug. and ran up
stairs to the consurs offlce.
= +
sVATELL." said the consul. who was
sitting with his feet on the
desk and his thumbs hooked under
his suspenders, there is David again!
Have you slain Goliath with your lit
tie sling?"
You are a pessimist." Pug answer
ed. Tell me, whore In the Arena
Goldoni. and what Is going on there
tomorrow"
" A bullfight." said the consul, Go
nelli's play to the gallery. Gonelli,
my dear chap. is a Psychologist. He
will buy popularity with that bull
fight as surely as professional kid
naper lures children with loliipops.
He has invited every one in Magella-"
I'm going"
Nonsense"
you're q gutter"
The consul met Pugs eyes with a
veiled look which might or might not
have been a challenge. Thanks
Wen go. Only the consequences are
rs waiting for you at the Santa
Christina The last boatload Of
Americans-about two hundred men
got to the settlement safely. But
every time one of them steps a foot
beyond the camp some sniper takes
a pot shot at him from the hills.
Gonelli has planted his nationalists
behind every rock. How long do you
expect Mccarthy to hold his men
back? They're on his nerves: they're
on each others nerves; they're on my
nerves. Some one is going to ex-
, plode."
Pug stared gloomily at the tips Of
his shoes. He was thinking of Miss
Diego, Of course. And 1t suddenly oc-
CURED to him that she had wanted
him to go to the Arena Goldoni.
Wanted him to go. by Jove! He
turned to the consul with shout:
! Mccarthy can wait! I'm going to
| the bull fight. I've got a hunch."
The consul puffed lazily at his Gig
arctic and shut his eyes. I'm on,
David" he said. This is your party"
The next day dawned like all Ma
geiian days. brilliant, cloudless and Sc
rene. Pug. watching from his open
window, saw the sun come up from
| behind the sea. He had not slept.
even in the comfortable security Of
tire consulate's best bedehamber. un-
der a nnosquito-bar canopy six feet