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About The Mineral Independent (Superior, Mont.) 1915-current | View This Issue
The Mineral Independent (Superior, Mont.), 06 Aug. 1915, located at <http://montananewspapers.org/lccn/sn86075304/1915-08-06/ed-1/seq-5/>, image provided by MONTANA NEWSPAPERS, Montana Historical Society, Helena, Montana.
' was vested the .supreme authority over his nation's interests, acknowledged thathis acquaintance with diplomacy was as nothing as compared with Edith Cortlandt's. \She thinks Garavel is the proper man.\ he said to Colonel Bland. \Garavel is a banker. He's not a politician.\ • , The chief engineer laughed. \All Spanish-Americans are politi- cians. colonel. They can't help it.\ \Would he accept?\ \It is her business to find out. I had my doubts.\ \But could he win? It Would be a calamity if he had American backing and failed. It would mean disaster.\ \Cortlandt has been working careful- ly, and he has been In all the seven provinces. He admits that it might be done, and she is certain. Of course it will mean a fight-Alfarez won't give 'up easily -but if Garavel should be the next president it would be a fine thing \ for both countries.\ Over at Panama the Cortlandts were tiou'i.ing for a house to lease. aiTaitts 'had, reached a point where it seemed - advisable to give up their quarters at -, the Tirol' and enter Into closer con- tact with the life of the Spanish .city - Meanwhile, they gave a ceremonious little dinner, the one and only guest pel ug Andres Garavel, the banker. Of all the charming Peoples of ('n - Good Printing Quick We Have Installed a First -Class Job Printing Plant Fully Equip.: ped to Take Care of Your Print- ing Needs. Keep Mineral County Money In Mineral County. Send Us Your Printing Orders The -Mineral Independent Superior • :: Montana THE Neer=Do=Well By REX BEACH Author of 'The Spoilers,\ 'The Perrier,\ \The Silver Horde,\ Etc. Copyright, 1910, 1911, by Harper & Brothers. NO one Du( me woman nerself and her husband really understood the tre- mendous difficulties of their tart( or the vital issues at stake. All who came into contact with her recognized the master mind directing the cam- paign and, consciously or unconscious- ly, relegated her husband to the back- ground. To the Latin intellea this display of power on the part of the woman was a revelation. She knew the effect she produced and made the mOst of it. . Old Anibal Alfarez was perhaps the last fully to appreciate her. He did. however, learn in time that, while he, could successfully match his craft ogainst that of the husband, the wife read him unerringly. Theresult was that he broke with them openly. When news of this reached the mem- bers of the canal commission they were alarmed, and Colonel Jolson felt it necessary to make known their views, upon the situation. Accordingly, - , .-the-suggestion so -constantly held out a - few - nights later the tortiandtkdined at his handsome residence 0c1 the be spoke with deliberate intention. beir'its above Culebra. After their re- \General Alfarez is my respected turn to Panama the colonel. in whom friend.\ he said, with a quietness that Intensified his meaning, \and I rejoice that he will be the next president of Panama.\ \You of course, know, that' there is opposition to him?\ \All Panama knows that.\ \General Alfarez does not seem to be a friend of the einited States. May I speak frankly?\ Garavel inclined his white head with- out removing his intense, dark eyes from the speaker. \Don Anibal Alfarez president of kanama!\ The banker made no visible move- ment, yet the effect of this positive declaration was almost like that of a blow. After a pause he said: \May I tell him you said so?\ \If you wish, but I do not think you will.\ , The hearer let his eyes ingly to Mrs.. Cortlandt'a face to find he said, \I grave ut as ,yet I lief smiling at him. !`Belleve me. dear lady.\ • suspected that there were trea- sons for this interview..b Ire at 0.0 ! !!!1! net a pelittlan. know. I shall have no volt.e In oar po- can never be flit question - !Meal An Irs:\ ' \Of course we knqw that. Senor Gera vel.And course there Are grave reason , ' why we wished - to talk with you - As Stephen has said. General Alfarez cannot • be lp resident 7 - \Madam.\ he said coldly. \Panama is trat America there are pernaps none more polished and well bred than the upper class Panemartians. Of this agreeable type Senor Garavel was an admirable example, having sprung from the finest Castilian stock. as,,a name running back through the pages of history to the earliest conquests at tested. The present'bearer of the name was of dlittinguisbed appearance. He was swarthy of skin, his hair was snow white, and be had stern black -eyes of greet intelligence. He was courtly and deliberate, evincing a pride that sprang not only from good blood but from d -d. a 110 ;sr w5 tbwfn man with heavy responsibilities. for Andres Garavel was a careful banker and a rich one. He was widely trav-••• -eled. well informed and an agreeable talker. \I am so disappointed that your daughter could not come.\ Edith told him for the second time. \I'm afraid she objects to our American informal- ity.\ \No no. my dear . lady,\ said their guest. \She admires American cus- toms, as I do. We are progressive -we have traveled. In my home. in my pri vete life, perhaps, I am a Panama- nian, but In my business and in my con tact with other people I am as the3 are. It is the same with my daughter. She has had a wide education for a child. She has traveled, she speaks five languages. and yet underneath it all she is a Garavel and hence a Pan- amanian. She is all I have, and my life is hers.\ / The meal progressed with only tie customary small talk to enliven it. but as soon as the three bad adjourned to the Cortlandt suit the host of the even ing proceeded to approach the subject In his mind as directly as the circuna stances permitted. Through a series of natural transitions the conversation was brought around to politics. and Garavel was adroitly.sounded. But hi displayed little interest. When at last he consented to show his awareness of a republic. The voice of the people to supreme.\ \Down in your heart do you really think so?\ She was still smiling at him. \No! The United States is su- preme.\ \Ab! That day will come, perhaps - 1 have said so. I look forward to it as the best solution, but\ - \The day has come.\ ' \Even so, Alfarez is an honorable man, a strong man and the wealthiest man in our country.\ \You are also a rich man, a man of altility,\ said Cortlandt. \Your name is second to none in All Central America. There is no one better\ - \Impossible!\ exclaimed the banker, in a strange voice. \I? No, no!\ \And why not? Have you never had political aspirations?\ \Of course. All men have dreams. I was secretary of finance under Ama- dor, but the Garavels have never real- ly te‘nn public men. Polities have been a curse to our house.. My grand- father\ - \I know,\ broke in Mrs. Cortlandt \But times have changed. Panama has seen her last revolution, and she needs a business man at her head. Panama is a healthy country, with no national debt. She is growing, develop- ing. She' holds the gateway to the western world, and her finances must be administered wisely. There is no one who can direct her so well as you.\ \It Is impossible!\ repeated Garavel, his agitation growing more pronounced. \General Alfarez is my friend. His son will be my son.\ \Ramon! Is Ramon engaged to your daughter?\ \Yes.\ exclaimed the banker, shortly. He began to pace the room. \What difference would that make, If the young people love each other?\ \Certainly.\ Cortlandt agreed \They are not children.\ \As for love, Ramon loves, and -my daughter will love also, once she is married, for she is a Garavel.\ \If Ramon isn't satisfactory to her. ought you to force her inclination?\ Mrs. Cortiandt offered. eagerly. But the banker flung his 3rdas aloft In a gesture of half humeus despair. \Oh -h! These young ladles!\ he cried. \They do not know what they want.\ He paused abruptly. \This comes upon me like a flood, my friends. I am swept away. and yet I -I will need to think seriously.\ \Certainly.\ \To an honorable man the salary will mean nothing. I have many affairs: I fear I cannot afford this sacrifice.\ \Would you retire in favor of some one who could afford it?\ \Alfarez is honest.\ \`Alfarez cannot be president.\ \It would require a great deal of money. I am considered a rich man. but I have discounted the future, and nb 1 enterprisee\ - He flung out his arm . \I have spread out I must be careful It is not .Slope tey emu,. that I have invested?. \It will require 'very little money,\ said Cortlandt. \I have been from David to Darien, from Bocas to Colon and I now the public sentiment.\ It wiffi midnight before Senor Andres Garavel, the banker, bade his friends goodby. When he descended the ho- tel steps to his carriage he held his white head proudly erect, and, there was new dignity in his bearing. • • • The winter season was at its height now. Every ship from the north came • • \Oh -h! These young ladies!\ he cried. laden with tourists, and the social life of the clty grew brilliant and gay Now that nature smiled, the work Upon the canal went forward with ever growing eagerness. Records were broken in every department, the rail- road groaned beneath its burden, the giant human machine was strained to its fullest effitieney. Young Anthony mastered the details of his work very rapidly. Being in- teilsely interested in his work, he avoid- ed all social entanglements, despite re- peated invitations from Mrs. Curt- landt. But when the grand opera sea - :von tm-p.a u he 1u...it au exueptlue anti kilned her box party on the opening bight. _ It seemed quite like old times to don ;in evening suit: the stiff white linen H keyed a pang of regret,,There was a somewhat formal dinner in the Colt- landts' new home, at which there were a dozen guests. so Kirk bad no oppor- tunity of tYPeaking with 1119 nostess until they had reached tin' theater. \I've scarcely seen you lately,\ she said at the first opportunity. \You're a very neglectful young man. I began to think you were avoiding us?: . • \You must know better than that\ She regarded him shrewdly over her shoulder. \You're' not still thinking of --that night at Taboga?\ He blushed end nodded frankly. \I can't help thinking about it You were mighty nice 1,(5 overlook a break like that, but\- Unconsciously - his ,eyes shifted to - Cortlandt, who was eotivers-- log politely with a giggly old lady. She tapped his cheek lightly with her fan. \Just to show you how forgiving V ka \ \ ) 4 , rt...r,4e. weir , There Was the Girl of His Dreams. I am, 1 am going to ask - you to go rid- ing with me. The late afternoons are lovely now. aid I've found a good horse for you. I suppose you ride?\ \I love it.\ \Wednesday at 5, then.\ She turned to another guest, and Kirk leaned back to take in the scene about him. CHAPTER XV. Gertrudis Garavel. IKE most Lail ies. Panama prides herself upon her government theater. Although it remains dark most of the year, its brief period of opera is celebrated by a notable out- pouring of Americans and Panaman- ians: It was an exceedingly well areaseriliTaWe. or a oug e p was plentifully sprinkled with men in white, the two lower galleries were in solid full dress. In the center box of the first tier, ornately hung with 'flags and a coat of arms, Anthony beheld a giant black man of majestic appear ance, flanked by a half dozen aids in uniform. \That is President Galleo,\ Edith told him. As the curtain - fell on the first act Kirk rose with the others and. acconi- panted by Mrs. Cortlandt, made his way down the long passageway and out into a brightly lighted, highly dec- orated foyer, filling now with voluble people. It .was a splendid room, but' he had no eyes for it. His gaze was fixed upon the welcome open air prom- enade outside, and his fingers fumbled with his cigarette case. \Oh wait, please,\ he heard Edith say. \I want you to meet some `one.\ There, not a yard away, was the girl of his dreams demurely bowing to Edith Cortlandt, her hand upon the arm of a swarthy man. whom Kirk knew at once as her father.„ pe felt the blood rush blindingly-tot-MO.60d: felt it drumming at bis ears, knew that he must be staring like a inat be reft Mrs. Cortlandt was speaking, and he caug14 the name \Garavel\ like a.lougle call. She was the same dainty, desirous Maid he had met in the forest, but now _splendidly radiant and perfect beyond his imagining. She was no longer the simple wood sprite, but a tiny princess In filmy white molded by some master craftsman. As on that earlier meet- ing, she was thrilling with some subtle mirth which flickered on her lips or danced in the depths of her great, dark eyes. How he ever got through that wild introductory moment without making a show of himself Anthony never knew. The general confusion perhaps helped to hide his emotion, for around them eddied a constant human tide. through which at last cape Mr. Cort- landt and the other members of his party. Then by, imme glorious miracle Kirk found himself moving toward the open air at her side. with Mrs. Cort- landt and ,the banker in advance of them. \Oh. Chiquita.\ he said softly. \I thought I'd never find you. I've hunted everywhere.\ At the tremendous intensity of his tone she flashed him a startled glance \Chiqiiita is not my name.\ she said. reprovingly. \Yes it is: it must be. ,I can't think qf you by any other. Hasn't it been whispering at my ears ever 'since • you said it? it has nearly driven we mad. Why didn't you COMP back as` you promised,\ \It was Stephanie -'she Is sueb a ferocious Denims! ,I wite - 13rought the cit.* that day -but uo. senor. I did' not protdiae. I said only. ha l m . \Have you done your penance?\ \It was finished yesterday. This IS the first time I have been out Oh, it is delightful. The music -the people!\ \And I can - come to see you now?\ \Very well do you know that you Cannot. Have you not learned . our customs? Do not be foolish, or I shall be forced to walk with my father.\ a \Don't do that. Can't you see we must ? m , ake haste while the curtain is d \I do Dot see. I am strolling in search of the cool air.\ She bowed and smiled at some passing friends. She seemed very careless, very flippant. She was not at all the impetuous, mischievous Chiquita be had met in the woods. \See here!\ he said, soberly. \We can't go on this way. Now that I've met your father, I'm going -to. explain my intentions to him, and ask his permission to rail on 'Lou.\ • \My father is a stern man. In his home he is entirely it Spaniard, and if he learned how -we met, for lostance\ -eyed under the electric light he saw her fiush-\he would create'a terrible scene.\ \Trust me! I sba'n't tell him.\ \There are so Many reasons why it .is useless.\ \Name one.\ \One!\ She shrugged lightly. \In the first place I care nothing for1you. Is not that enough?\ \No indeed. -You'll get over that.\ . \Let _us imagine, then, the contrary. You Americans are entirely different from our people. you are cold.. de• liberate, wicked -your social customs are not like ours. You do not at all understand us. How then could you be interested to meet a Spanish fam- ily?\ \Why you're half American.\ \Oh - yes, although it is to be re- gretted. Why, there is no other nice girl in all Panama who would have talked with you as I aid in the forest that day.\ \But what has all this to do with my coming to see you?\ \It is difficult to explain, since you will, not understand. When a young man is accepted into a Spanish house. many things are taken for granted. Besides that, we do not know each oth- er, you and I. Also, if 'you should come to see me it would cause gossip, misunderstanding among my friends.\ \I'll declare myself in advance.\ IA promised warmly. \No no, no! We Spanish-Americans do..not care for strangers. We have our own people and we are satisfied. It is much better that old people who are of more experience should discuss these questions.\ \But don't you want to have a voice In your own affiiirar he. She answered frankly: \I do rebel sometimes. I protest, but it is only the American blood in me.\ \If you'd learn to know me a little bit, maybe you'd enjoy having around the house.\ \But I cannot know you, any More with a little gesture of despair at his dullness. \Don't you see -before we could get acquainted nicely people would be talking.\ \Let's try. You're living at the coun- try place again, aren't you? Suppose I should get lost -some day-tomorrow. for instance?\ \No no! Listen. It is the warning bell, and we must return.\ The crowd was filing into the theater now. They fell in behind Senor Gaze. - Y111 and Mrs. Cortlandt. \I'm going hunting again tomorrow,\ prophesied Kirk, \and I'm almost cer- tain to lose my way -about 3 o'clock. Suppose we have another stroll after the next act?\ - \I shall be with my father. Never before have I enjoyed so much liber ty.\ She sighed gratefully. \Oh. I detest your blamed, strait- laced SpanIsh customs,\ he cried hotly, \What do they amount to, anyhow? I love you. I do, I do\ - She laughed and darted to her fa ther's side. \Don't_ you think Miss Garavel is a pretty girl?\ Mrs. Cortlandt question- ed, as they strolled toward their box. \She's a dream.\ Anthony's tone left nothing unsaid. \You at ot along together capitally. Most of the senoritas are Impossible.\ \By the way, Whit is her name?\ \Gertrudis. -Rather pleasing. I think.\ _Kirk thoughts° toe. When, after an age, the curtain fell for a second time heescaped from his companions, mum- , lina some excuse or other, and made haste to find her again. But as he ap- proached he felt a sudden pang of jealous rage. Ramon Alfarez was beside her, and the two were chatting with an appear- ance of intimacy that made him furi- ous. Close at hand stood Garavel, deep in conversation with Colonel JoIstln. \Alt Ramon. I wish you to meet Mr. Anthony,\ said Gertrudis. \So! You have met before?\ \In - Colonf', Kirk explained, while Al- farez scorched him - with his eyes. \Mr. Alfarez was very hospitable to me.\ \Yes the Spaniard exclaimed. \ills my great regret that Senor Ant'ony did not remain for longer. Does Senor Ant'ony discover our climate to be still agreeable?\ - • .. \ e 'V y e e, r t y , . It hasn't grown too warm for m \We are but approaching our 'ot sea- son.\ The speaker's eyes snapped. Heretofore Kirk had hated Ramon in a careless, indiffet i ent sort of way, feel- ing that he owed him a good drubbing. whin he would he pleased to adminis ter if ever a . fitting time arrived. But now, since he saw that the jat•sanepes had the audacity to love Gertrudis. his feeling hecame 'intense. The ?girl, of course, was fully alive to the situa , tion and, although she evidently en- joyed ) it. she did her best to stand be- tween the two men. _ As for Alfarez. he was quick to feel the sudden fierce hostility he had aroused, avid it seemed to make him nervous. Moreover, he conceived that he bad scored heavily by his last re- tort, at 'which Kirk had only smiled It , therefore seemed best to him\ t6 withdraw from the conversatn o (an- noyingly conducted in EfiglIsh), nd a few moments later he stalked majes- tically away. This was just what tirk Wanted, and be quickly .suggested the balcony. But Gertrudis was obstinate. \I must remain with my father,\ she said. 1 \ \May I sit toesttle_yyn. then? Do you know, I'm going to nestle up to your i s father and make him like e.\ \Again you are speaking f that sub- ject.I have known you b an hour, il and you talk of nothing but r y father, of me, of coming to call. I ve lost all modesty to speak of those things. Ydu force me to•embarraas myself.\ - \You once spoke of a chap your peo- ple had picked out. It isn't-Alfarez?\ She let her dark eyes rest upon his a moment, and his senses swam. Then she nodded slowly. \You do not like him?\ \Just - like a nose bleed.' Thi• day you and I are married I'm going to lend him a wreath of poison ivy.\ \It'pleases you always to joke.\ \No joke about that. You won't give in, will you?\ \There is no question of force nor of surrender, senor. I insist now that we shall speak of other things.\ A few moments later he was con- strained to rejoin his hostess' party. \When are you going back to Las Savannas?\ he asked as he reluctantly arose. \Tomorrow.\ . \The hunting ought to be good?'_ But she frowned at him in annoy- ance, and he left, her after all without knowing whether he had gained or lost ground. She was not so warm and impulsive as he bad supposed. Her girlishness, her simplicity, her little American ways, cloaked a deep reserve and a fine sense of the difference in their positions. The plague of it was that if anything he was more in love with the definite and dazzling Gertru- dis Garavel than he had been with the mysteriously alluring Chiquita. And then, too, there was Alfarez! ID CHAPTER XVI. An Awakening. E was in no more satisfactory frame of mind when, on the next afternoon, he shoul- dered his gun and set out for the country. He wept directly to the fairy pool, and waited there in a very ever o ens ety. Seep to e coo ness and peace of the place, he felt his pulses throb and his face burp. if she came. It would mean everything to him. If she stayed away -why, then he would have to believe that after all the real Gertrudis Garavel had spoken a voice shot . throng his troubled thoughts like a boa of sunlight through a dark room. \Oh. Senor Antonio! How you startled me!\ Instantly his self possession came back: He felt relieved and gay. \Good -afternoon, queen!\ He rose and bowed politely. \I thought I saw one underneath the waterfall just now.\ \Who would have expected you to be here?\ she cried, with an extreuie and obviously counterfeit amazement that filled him with delight. \I'm lost,\ he- declared: then, after one look into her eyes, he added, \Ab \Oh Senor Antonio! How you startled me.\ solute' , utterly. Irretrievably lost. Wo you sit down?\ \Since we have met . quite by ac- cident, perhaps it would not be so very improper.\ She laughed mischievously and settled uncertainly beside him like a butterfly just alighting, ready to take Hight again on the instant. \Perhaps I can help you to find your way, senor?\ she said, with Ingenuous politeness. \You are the only one who' can. Miss Garavel. I don't know that I ever told you. but I'm in love.\ \Indeed r \I am the most miserably hapos pjr- %Mr!th thP world, Co\ I ho joQt this moment begun to believe that the yoeng lady likes me a little bit.\ \Oh! But I forgot -the real reason why I came. I have something I must tell Top.\ (To be con Unsold.)
