Evening star., 1930-11-30
BY ". BOYCE MORGAN.
nNSTALLREENT 1.

"HE whole country of San Miguel one
Of the smallest of the Central Amer
tcan republics, boasts Of only one
railroad, and that is the single-tTack
line running from the coast to the
City Of San Miguel, capital of the country
Over this line, which climbs painfully upward
to the high plateau on which the city stands,
one short train runs each way every day. OF
course, there are occasional freight trains as
well, but only this one train on which pas
Senger can ride in any degree of comfort And
even 50, its few coaches are seldom crowded
The arrival Of the daily train at the sprawl
ing adobe station in San Miguel is therefore,
quite an event and the platform is always
crowded. When the engine brought its burden
Of cars to q stop on this particular day the
crowd was as large as usual, and Paul Field
first out OF the coach, scanned it eagerly for
sight of his brothers face.
At last he saw him, and at his shout Leonard
Field came running down the platform to greet
Paul with outStretched arms.
Hello, kid brother!" he burst out. "It's GER
tainly good to see you. How the trip"
'"The ocean voyage was great" replied Paul.
Wfinging his brothers hand, ''but this train
ride was just about the limit" He ga7ed at
the lean, powerful man before him, admiring
the face that was tanned to the color Of bronze.
Central America certainly seems to agree with
you" he finished
AUGHING and talking excited1y Paul was
led by his brother through the station
They picked up his baggage and deposited it
in the rear Of Leonard's little coupe, and as
they drove slowly up the narrow street toward
the city itself they talked Of all the things that
are TO be said when two brothers have not
seen each other for almost two years.
Leonard Field had come to San Miguel many
months before as representative OF an Amer1-
can company dealing in mining machinery.
After almost two years of absence he had plan
ned trip home, but unsettled political con-
ditionS in the turbulent republic had made 1t
impossible for him to get away. Instead, he had
asked Paul If ne would like to come to San
Miguel TO visit him, and Paul had leaped at
the chance.
Paul gave him all the news Of home as they
drove along, with Leonard interrupting now
and then to point out some spot of interest in
the city. Paul was having hard time, talking
and still trying to absorb all the sights so
strange TO o boy who had never before been
outside his own country. He looked in wonder
at the huge old church, largest building in the
city and a marvel of Spanish architecture, and
gazed with interest at the government build
ings. Finally they drove up to the building
which housed the tiny office that Leonard
maintained for his company. After a brief
stop there they continued on toward Leonard's
home.
lust wait until you see my house." said
Leonard with grin. "Ive got just about
the finest location in the city-up there on
that hill, overlooking the whole town. The big
building you see on the very top of the hill
is the Presidents palace, and my house is
a little place, just below it. In fact, the Presi-
dents place Is really in my back yard"
Paul laughed. "You must have found a mine
of your own, for you certainly sound prosper
ous," he said.
Nothing like that" retorted Leonard. "But
this country and have almost anything
want within reason. I have this fine little
home and an old lady, Maria, who takes care