New-York tribune., 1921-05-15

eyes with frank amusement. "oh, like any
thing.
Then you'll like me- Pug sat down cross.
legged on tln grass, clasped his hands around
his knees, and looked at her with his soul In
. his eyes How did it happen" he demanded,
"that,you live III Magella? And how did you
come to be in this garden
"I'm Miss Diego. Papa is the President of
Magella just now.'
You mean it isn't a permanent job?"
She gave him quick look and her brows
met. IF you We're sent by Gonelli to murder
papa you came too late. He's upstairs asleep
and there are two armed guards outside his
door,
Whereupon Pug told her the story of his
life. Watching Pug out Of her sleepy black
eyes, Miss Diego knew that two years in Pitts
hurgh had spoiled her for Magellan love max
ing. Pug told her why he had come to Ma
CELIA; he laid his sword at her feet--and all
the while his eyes We're saying: II like you.
/ trust you. You're wonder!"
~ want to talk to your father" Pug said.
Il want him to know that Fairchild is al
ways as good as his word. II you'll go and
get him, Miss Diego, I'll make him believe me.
I'm going to play fair with Magella. Don't
you know, if Gonelli gets the upper hand his
Nationalists will push your papa off the throne
and Magella will go to the dogs?"
Miss Diego nodded. Pug told her what he
expected to do for Magela It never occurred
to her to doubt him. He had fallen out Of the
live oak and into her heart. She interrupted
him with decisive: 'Yes, yes see! Iul get
father--wait for mel" And then ran off
H.. l.s..1J r.
flashing in and out of the shadows until she
disappeared within the palace door. When
she came back she was leaning on her fathers
arm, whispering to him very earnestly. 3
Poor Diego had grown into fame and power
through his childish desire to 90 down in
Magellan history as a wise and benevolent die
tator. Magella was ungrateful. All around
him there was continual plotting and counter
plotting, hatred, deceit and ambition.
He stared at Pug haughtily and sat down
under the live oak with slight groan of
vexation. And over his rufied old head the
two young people exchanged look full of
questioning, encouragement and good humor.
Pug talked WELL because the girl was watch
ing him. He told Diego that the Americans in
tended to put railway along the old Indian
trail and work the Marias mines, "even if
Congress has to send a feet to blow Magella
cut of the sea- After ALL there wasn't
enough money in the country to sink single
shaft. Goneli might murder few dozen
Americans-would Magella be better off for
it?
Diego listened in silence, with his round,
fierce eyes fixed on Pug. He was thinking Of
Gonelli. He was worried and upset, afraid
to break 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 might have sur
rendered had he not happened to glance up
in time to see Gonelli coming through the
garden. He terrified that he shouted
at Pug @furiously: "Never!i You Americans
have the audacty of the devil. Go back to
your cowardly compatriots in the mountains
and tell them that Diego will hold the Marias
in the name of God and Magella."
Gonelli stared at Pug in astonishment, since
no one, to his knowledge, had left the Ameri-
can Consulate within the hour. The two men
bowed very politely; Pug, glancing quickly at
the girl, found her eyes fixed on her fathers
face. She paid no further attention to him.
Pug didn't even know her name, but he had
fallen head over heels in love with her.
Not looking at him, she said very gracious