EVENING LEDGER-PHILADELPHIA, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1917
Pictorial Section
f
DUTM-DWIWSAINT
v " Ay TnePjrjric'ess'RadziwM
(Copyrlcht. 1917. TAibllo Ldcer Company. All ngnts reserved, i
The Result of the Attack Upon Rasputin by His
Enamored Victim Was to Place Him Once
More in the Center of the Spotlight and to
Give Him That Publicity So Essential to the
Success of a Person of His Character and
Particular Appeal
When Gousiewa Finally Found Her Opportunity
to Avenge Herself "Gricha" and Illiodore
Had Fallen Out, and the "Blessed Gregory"
Made Every Effort to Link His Enemy With
the Plot In This He Had the Aid of the
Secret Police
"All tho speculators, army purveyors and persons interested in army contractu!
?i -.1 n . Sit. !nniinMn nrkiili cnrnnoanrl nvorv rtncpmntinn 911(1 tllPn All IS. I
rounded him at once and laid siege, not so much to his person as to the influence which to
was supposed to possess."
mtsmmmMaiwmwMwmwmmmmx
CHAPTER V Continued
rpHE care that was taken of Rasputin soon restored him to his usual
health, and he became at once a martyr. When the first moment
of fright and, being a great coward, ho had been thoroughly fright
enedhad passed away, he felt rather satisfied at the fuss which
was made about him, and more grateful than anything else to the
woman Gousiewa for having given him such a splendid opportunity
to recover some of his popularity, which ho had fcarrd might decrease
during his absence from St. Petersburg. The fact that his attempted
assassination had brought his name and his person once more prom
inently before tho public pleased him, and his natural cunning made
him at once grasp the whole importance of the event and the capital
that might be made out of it Ho was the first to plead for indul
gence for his would-be murderess, perhaps out of fear of the scandal
which a trial might produce, a trial during which a lawyer might be
found daring enough and enterprising enough to speak openly of
the reasons which had driven the accused woman to this act of mad
ness, and to disclose certain episodes in tho past existence of tho
"Prophet" which the latter would not have cared at all to become
the property of the public. Ou the other hand, tho authorities, too,
felt that a public trial would only cause u most painful sensation, by
the mention of names which it was of the highest importance to keep
outside the question. The culprit herself insisted upon being brought
before a jury, declaring that she had .ought publicity and that she
would not rest until she had it; that, moreover, she did not intend
to be cheated out of her revenge or prevented from exposing tho
man in whom she saw the most flagrant and daring impostor, a
creature for whom nothiijg in the world was sacred and who would
not hesitate at anything in order to come to his ends. She insisted
on the fact that she would have rendered a public service to tho
country had she killed him, and that, whatever happened to her
personally, the vengeance of God would one day overtake "Grfchn"
and Tiis wickedness, and that others would bo found who would
follow the example which she had given to them and not fail as
the had failed.
Gousiewa told all this to the examining magistrate to whom had
been intrusted the preliminary inquest, and she persisted in tier
allegations, notwithstanding all the efforts and even the threats
which were made to her to induce her to retract her first deposition.
LtSssa!aa3S3Esms
.JfJ&AoAiMr'.
ft"ra'.iTxyjgsiiK3Si a. . . ,
A typical Russian crowd gathered in the Ncvsky Prospckt, Pctrograd, such as welcomed Rasputin back to the capital after he
had recovered from the knife wound inflicted by an outraged woman.
The authorities found themselves in a dilemma from which they
did not know how to extricate themselves when Rasputin himself
c me to their rescue.
"The woman i3 mad," he said. "All that she relates is but tho
ravings of a madwoman. Lock her up in an asylum, and let us
hear nothing more about her!"
This piece of advice was considered to be tho best possible under
the circumstances, and Gousiewa was placed first in a hospital
for observation and then a few months later adjudged Insane by
order. She was removed to a madhouse, no one know exactly where,
and there she probably is locked up to this day unless death in some
shape or form has overtaken her and removed her forever out of a
world which certainly had never proved a kind one for her.
In the meanwhile her victim was mending rapidly, and three
weeks after his accident he was removed first to Tobolsk and then to
St. Petersburg. His disciples were preparing a great reception for
him, and he himself was openly talking of nil that he would do on
his return and of tho revenge which ho was going to take on the
people to whose influence he attributed tho "mad" act of tho woman
who had attacked him. He made tho greatest efforts to connect
Illiodore with the attempt of Gousiewa, and he was quite furious to
M'C them fail, declaring that when ho was once more in tho capital
ho would make it his business to find out whether it was not possible
to discover somo points of association between tho unfrocked monk
and the woman whoso knife had been raised against him. Ho
further made no secret of his intention to obtain tho proofs which
he needed, thanks to the intelligence and with the help of his friend
Mr. Manussewitsch Maniuloff. Whether ho would have succeeded
or not, it is difficult to say, because when Rasputin returned to St.
Petersburg and was enabled to visit his friends at Tzarskolo Selo
once more, there were other preoccupations which were troubling
tho public more than anythjng connected with his individuality.
War had broken out with Germany.
CHAPTER VI
TT WAS perhaps a good piece of luck for Rasputin that he was
not in St. Petersburg when Germany attacked us so unexpectedly.
It is quite probable that if he had found himself in the capital at
the time he would have intrigued in so many ways that he might
have put even the sovereign in an embarrassing position, in the
sense that any hesitations which might have produced themselves
in tho decisions of the Government would have been attributed to
tho influence of tho "Prophet." At this time of national crisis, !
certainly would have been a mlsfortuno if anything had occurrfA
likely to endanger the prestige of the dynasty. But in regard to
Rasputin' himself, it is likely that his absence delayed the con
spiracy which resulted in his death, as ho was forgotten for Um
moment, so intensely was public opinion preoccupied with the grave
events that wcro taking place. M
The War Versus Rasputin , -
Later on, after tho disaster of Tannenberg, tho friends of the
"Prophet," in order to win back for him somo popularity, spread
the rumor that he had from his distant Pokrowakolo written to on
of his warmest patronesses, Madamo W., that ho had had a vision
during which it had been revealed to him that tho Russian armies
were to march immediately upon eastern Prussia, where it would
bo possible to deal n decislvo blow at tho enemy, and to do so with "
all their strength. Now this is precisely what was not done, owing
to tho military misconception of the Russian General Staff, which
for political reasons started to proceed to tho conquest of Galicia,
that could havo been delayed with advantago until after the Prus
sian monster, if not killed, had been at least seriously, damaged.
Tho enemies of tho Grand Duko Nicholas, of whom there were
plenty, seized hold of this rumor, and rallied themselves round
Rasputin, declaring that once more God had intervened In favor of
Holy Russia, in blessing it with a prophet whose clear glance, and
visions could be relied upon far better than tho strategical combina- '
tlons of the Grand Duke that had proved such a complete failure.
Tho Grand Duko was accused' of having dispatched two array corps
Into the Mazurian region without having taken sufficient precaution ,
to insure their safety, and it was 6aid that the only, ono who had
seen clearly the disaster which had overtaken these corps had been
Rasputin, and that it had been revealed to him direct from Heaven
even before it had taken place. '
All this was great nonsense, of course, but nevertheless It did s
considerable amount of harm. One must not lose sight of one fact
when one Judges the whole history of the Impostor who for so many
years contrived to occupy with his personality the attention of the
Russian public, and that is that his sermons and utterances ap
pealed to that mystical side of the Slav character which In all hours
of great national crises and misfortunes asserts itself in a manner
which to the Occidental mind seems quite incomprehensible. It is
sufficient to have looked upon the crowds kneeling in the streets
of St. Petersburg and of Moscow during those eventful August
days which saw the breaking out of the catastrophe, to become per
suaded of the fact that they reckoned more on God's intervention
on their behalf than on the efficacy of any guns or soldiers to insure
a victory for the Russian arms.
Rasputin for a short period became once more a national hero,
at least in the eyes of the select circle that had first brought him
prominently before the public, and they began to say among this
circle that until one followed his directions and gave oneself up
entirely to tho service of God in tho manner it pleased him to
recommend, tho campaign that had just begun would never be won.
For other people, too, the return of the "Prophet" to Petrograd, as
St. Petersburg had been rechristened, was also a boon. All the -speculators,
army purveyors and persons interested In army con
tracts awaited him with an impatience which surpassed every de
scription, and they surrounded him at once and laid siege, not so
much to his person as to the influence which he was supposed to
possess.
(CONTINUED MONDAY)
RAINBOW'S
JiJN
D
By REX BEACH
G2? Author of "Tho Spoilers." "The
B
arrier,
'Heart of the Sunset '
A novel of love, hidden treasure and rebellion in beautiful, mys
terious Cuba during the exciting days of the revolt against Spain.
ConvrlBht. 1017. Harper Bros.
CHAPTER IV Continued
WHEN Esteban saw how palo his sister
had grown, ho took her In his arms,
lajlng, gently: "I'm sorry, dear. It's all
uy fault." Then to tho merchant, "It
lias very good of you to warn us."
"Ha!" Don Mario fanned himself. "I'm
llad you appreciate my efforts. It's a
good thing to havo the right kind of a
friend. I'll marry Itosa within an hour,
and I fancy my namo will bo a sufficient
shield"
Bosa turned to her elderly suitor and
made a deep courtesy. "I um unworthy
Of the honor," said she. "You see, I I do
tnot love you, Don Mario."
"Lover exploded tho visitor. "God
bless you! What has love to do with tho
matter? Esteban will have to rldo for his
life In ten minutes and your property will
be seized. So you had better make your
lelf ready to go with me."
Bur Rosa shook her head.
"Eh? What alls you? What do you
ipect to do?"
('I shall go with Esteban." Bald the girl.
This calm announcement seemed to
stupefy De Castano. He sat down heavily
In the nearest chair, and with his wet
handkerchief poised In one pudgy hand
he stared fixedly at tho speaker. His eyes
were round and bulging, tho sweat
treamed unheeded from his temples. He
resembled somo queer bloated marine
monster Just emerged from tho sea and
momentarily dazzled by the light.
"You You're mad," he Anally gasped.
Esteban, tell her what it means."
Bat this Esteban could not do, for ho
himself had not the faintest notion of
what was in store for him. War seemed
to him a glorious thing; he had been told
that the hills wero peopled with patriots.
" WM very young, his heart was ablaze
lth hatred for the Spaniards and for
ancho CiiAtn ft ixnA A ti- .i u
. ."" "." ' " "
W U ires Cllha Th.r.fnri l.n onl.l.
Row shall do L, she pleases. If we
must bo exiles wS shall share each other's
hwdthlps. It will not be for long."
"Idlotr stormed the fat man. "Better
wat you gave her to the sharks below
Ban 8everlr.o. There is no law, no safety
wr women outside of the cities. The
jna Is in anarchy. These patriots you
k about are blacks, the mulattoes, the
lowest, laziest savages In Cuba."
sunlight, muttering and stammering to
himself.
Within an hour the twins wero on their
way up the Yumvri, toward tho home of
Ascnslo and Evangeline; for it was
thither that they naturally turned. It
was well that they had made haste, for
as they rode down Into the valley, up tho
other side of the hill from Matanzas camo
a squad of the Guardla Civil, and at its
head rode Pancho Cueto.
CHAPTER V
A CRY FROM THE WILDERNESS
TEV YORK boemed al.nost like
-LN fr
Don Mario Withdraws
"Please! Don Mario!" the girl pleaded.
cannot marry y0u, for I love
mother."
"Ehr
Otf?m!V another- rm betrothed to
"KMlly, the American and he's coming
6ek to marry me."
Cut&no twlstnrt hlm.lC laVmrtni,.l
J 9t his chair and waddled toward the
.. - Purple with rage and mortlflca-"n-
On the threshold he paused to
-"7"- 'Very Well, then. Got I'm done.
th of you. I would have lent you
. Z" llh this rascal Cuteo, but-now he
" Wl neln in vn. U.I ..........
J is aA uom far tieiini tt
foreign city to Johnnlo O'Reilly when
he stepped out into it on the morning
after his arrival. For ono thing it was
bleak and cold; the north wind, hailing
direct from Baffin's Bay, had teeth, and
it bit so cruelly that he was glad when
ho found shelter In the building which
housed the offices of tho Carter Import
ing Company. The tropics had thinned
O'Reilly's blood, for tho Cuban winds bear
a kiss Instead of a sting; therefore he
paused In the lower hallway, Jostled by
the morning crowds, and tried to warm
himself. Tho truth is, O'Reilly was not
only cold, but frightened.
He was far from weak-hearted. In
fact, few O'Reillys wero that, and Jbhnnle
had an Ingrained self-assurance which
might have been mistaken for Impudence
but for tho winning smile that went with
It. Yet all the way from Havana he had
seen in his mind's eye old Sam Carter In
trenched behind his flat-topped desk, and
that picture had more than once caused
him to forget' the carefully rehearsed
Bpeech In which ho lntendod to resign his
position as an employe and his prospects
as a son-in-law.
O'Reilly in New York
That desk of Mr. Carter's was always
bare and orderly, cleared for action, like
the deck of a battleship, and over it many
engagements had been fought, for the
man behind it never shirked a conflict.
His was a vigorous and irascible tern
perament, compounded of old-fashioned,
slow-burning black powder and nitro
glycerin a combination of Incalculable
destructive power. It was a perilously
unstable mixture, too: at 'times nothing
less than a flame served to ignite it; on
other occasions tho office forco pussy
footed past , Carter's door on felt" soles,
and even then the slightest Jar often
caused tho untoward thing to let go. In
either event there was a deafening roar,
much smoke and a deal of damage.
O'Reilly felt sure that whatever the con
dition of Mr. Carter's digestion or the
serenity of his mind at the beginning of
their Interview, the news he had to im
part would serve as an enective deto
nator, after which & would be every man
for himself. It was not the effect of his
report concerning the firm's unprofitable
Cuban connections which O'Reilly feared
would cause the decks to heave and the
ship to rock Samuel Carter could take
calmly the most disturbing financial re
vergeit was tho blow t his pride at
fcMwtfi that anyway eH
lie did gain courage, however, by think
ing of Kosa Varona as he had last seen
her, with arms outstretched, wjth eyes
tear-fllled, with yearning lips aqulver at
his going. Tho picture warmed him mag
ically, and It was with a restored deter
mination to make a clean breast of tho
matter and face tho worst that ho took
tho elevator.
Tho ofllco force of the Carter Import
ing Company looked up when tho firm's
Cuban representative entered tho door,
but Its personnel having changed as tho
result of one of thoso periodical disrup
tions that occurred in tho Inner office, ho
was not recognized until ho presented
himself to Mr. Slack, Samuel Carter's
private and Intimidated secretary.
Trouble Ahead
Mr. Slack smiled wanly and extended
a clammy, nerveless hand as cold and
limber as a dead fish.
"You're expected," said he. "Mr. Car
ter Is waiting to seo you before leaving
for California."
"Seeing mo won't make his trip any
pleasanter," O'Reilly said, somberly.
"We were afraid you wouldn't get out
of Cuba; thought we might havo to get
tho American consul at work."
"Really? I didn't know I was so Im
portant. "Oh, you're the office pet, and well you
know It." Mr. Slack's pleasantry was
tinged with envy, for ho had never beon
able to appreciate O'Reilly. "Conditions
are bad, eh?"
"Yes. Anybody can leave," the other
told him. "It's getting back that's diffi
cult. The Spaniards don't like us, and I
dare Bay they havo good reason, with all J
this talk of intervention and the secret
help we're lending the Insurrectos. They
held mo up in Havana; tried to prove r
was a spy. They were positively peeved
when they failed. Snippy people, those
Spaniards."
"Well,' I'll tell Mr. Carter you're here."
The secretary glided unobtrusively toward
the private office, disappeared, glided
softly into view again, and waggled a
boneless forefinger invitingly. O'Reilly
went to meet his employer as a man
marches to execution.
His heart sank further at the welcome
he received, for the Importer gave him
a veritable embrace;, lie patted him on the
back and Inquired' threo times as to his
health. O'Reilly was anything but cold
now; he was perspiring profusely, and he
felt his collar growing limp. To shatter
this old man's eager hopes would be like
kicking a child in the face. Carter had
never been so enthusiastic, so demonstra
tive: there was something almost theat
rical in his greeting. It dismayed
O'Reilly Immensely to realize what a hold
he must havo upon his employer's affec
tions. Although the latter had a reputa
tion for self-control, he appeared to be in
a perfect flutter now. 'He assumed a
bolsterousness which seemed strained and
wholly out of keeping- with the circum
stances. His actions vaguely reminded tho
yaungw of an ambling draft-hors-
THE STORY THUS FAR
DON ESTEBAN VARONA, one of the wealthiest Spaniards in Cuba, has
hoarded the Jewels and gold acquired through the sale of slaves and
the profits derived from his extensive sugar plantations in a secret chamber
nt the bottom of a well. Rumors of his treasure have spread throughout
the land, and after the death of his first wife, the crafty, scheming Isabel
finally becomes the second Dona Varona.
SEBASTIAN, Esteban's most trusted slave, is the only one to share
the secret of the hoarded wealth, and Isabel vainly tries to get Information
from the black. She even seeks to get at Sebastian by suggesting that
Esteban sell the slave's daughter Evangelina. This the master steadfastly
refuses to do, until one flight, after he has become drunk in attempting to
escape his wife's nagging, he places Evangelina as the stake in a game
and loses. .. ... ...
ROSA and ESTEBAN, the children of the distressed planter and his
first wife, leave their beds and nppear in the room before their father to beg
that Evangelina, their nurse, be retained. Hut their prayers arc to no avail.
When Sebastian pleads with his tnaster not to let his daughter go, Don
Esteban, infuriated, turns upon the slave and for the first time in his life
has the black chained to a window grating and flogged.
Sebastian is dying from thirst and the torture of the flies upon hi3
wounds when Isabel appears at the window and asks him again if there
is a treasure. He finally says yes. Hut further information she falls to
get. When Esteban once more attacks Sebastian the slave tears himself
free, kills his former master and several others before he is finally shot.
PANCHO CUETO, manager of the Varona plantations, also feels certain
that there Is a treasure, and he lays plans to get it.
DON MARIO DE CASTANO, a wealthy sugar merchant, calls upon
Isabel to ask for the hand of Rosa. He is fat, unattractive and well along
In years, but is conceited enough to feel thnt his wealth will win the step
mother's support. But despite the latter's willingness, she holds out little
hope. Rosa loves another.
JOHNNIE O'REILLY, more commonly called THE O'REILLY, is a
young American representing a New York firm in Cuba. He is Rosa's lover.
While the two are talking in a secluded part of the estate Esttban joins
them and confesses that he is a spy for Colonel Lopez, leader of the Cuban
insjrrectionists.
Isabel, in a desperate attempt to gain information, accuses Pancho
Cueto of mismanaging the estate and of stealing the profits. The latter
admits his guilt, but defies Isabel to bring him to justice. With no deeds
left to indicate the rightful owner of the property, he has the upper hand.
That night Isabel walks in her sleep to the edge of the well and falls in.
Her body is rescued by Esteban, who is instructing a messenger ordered to
carry information to the rebels. In the excitement the letter is dropped and
Cueto picks it up. He denounces both Rosa and Esteban as conspirators and
Don Mario rushes to the quinta to warn them of their impending capture.
nln'a dismay turned to amazement. With
a heavy playfulness Mr. Carter at length
remarked:
"Well, my boy, you made a fizzle of It,
didn't you?" The tone was almost com
plimentary.
"Yes, sir, I'm a bright and shining
failure," O'Reilly acknowledged, hope
fully. Discussing tho Rebellion
"Now, don't yes sir" me. We're friends,
aren't we? GoodI Understand, I don't
blame you in tho least It's that Idiotic
revolution that spoiled our business. I
can't understand those people. Lord!
You did splendidly, under the circum
stances." "They have reason enough to revolt
oppression, tyranny, corruption." O'Reilly
mumbled the familiar words in a numb
paralysis at Mr. Carter's Jovial fa
mlUorlty. "All Latin countries are corrupt," an
nounced the importer; "always have been
and always will be. Thoy thrive under
oppression. Politics is purely a business
proposition with those people. However,
I dare say this uprising won't last long."
O'Reilly welcomed this trend of the
conversation; anything was better than
fulsome praise, and the discussion would
delay tho coming crash. It seemed
strange, however, that Samuel Carter
hould take tlm to dlecourM about gen
tMUUaa. JAai wraftar'eJ. why the M
said. "Tho rebels have overrun the east
ern end of the island, and when I left
Macco and Gomez were sweeping west."
"Baht It takes money to run a war."
"They have money," desperately argued
O'Reilly. "Marti raised more than a mil
lion dollars, and every Cuban clgarmaker
In the United States gives a part of his
wagos every week to the cause. The beet
blood of Cuba Is In the fight; The rebels
are poorly armed, but if our Government
recognizes their belligerency they'll soon
fix that. Spain is about busted; she can't
stand the strain."
"I predict they'll quit fighting as soon
as they get hungry. The Government is
starving them out. However, they've
wound up our affairs for tho tlmo being,
and" Mr. Carter carefully shifted tho
position of an Inkwell, a calendar and
a paper-knife "that brings us to a con
sideration of your and my affairs, doesn't
it? Ahem! You remember our bargain?
I was to give you a chance and you were
to make good before you er planned
any er matrimonial foolishness with
my daughter."
The "Shock"
"Yes, sir." O'Reilly felt that the mo
ment had come for his carefully re
hearsed speech, but unhappily he could
not remember how tho swan-song started,
He racked bis brain for the opening
words, f
Mr. Qwta. Uo, MiVapMiyhatHy
them. Both men, after an awkward pauso,
cleared their throats in unison and eyed
each other expectantly. Another mo
ment dragged past, then they chorused:
"I havo an unpleasant "
Each broke off at tho echo of his own
words.
"What's that?" inquired tho Importer.
"N-nothlng. You were saying"
"I was thinking how lucky it is that
you and Elsa waited. Hm-m! Very for
tunate." Again Mr. , Carter rearranged
his desk fittings. "She has deep feelings
got a conscience, too. Conscience is a
fine thing In a woman so few of 'em
havo It. Wo sometimes differ, Elsa and
I, but when she sets her heart on a thing
I seo that she gets It, oven If I think she
oughtn't to have it.
"What's tho use of having children If
you can't spoil 'cm, oh?" He looked up
with a sort of resei.tful challenge, and
when his listener appeared to agree with
him ho sighed with satisfaction. "Early
marriages are silly but she seems to
think otherwise. Maybe she's right. Any
how, she's licked me. I'm done. That's
why I waited to soo you at once. You're
a sensible fellow, Johnnie no foolishness
about you. You won't object, will you?
Wo men havo to take our medicine."
"It's quito out of the r.uestlon," stam
mered the unhappy O'Reilly.
"Come, como! It's tough on you, I
know, but" The fuso had begun to
sputter. Johnnie had a horrified vision
of himself being dragged unwillingly to
tho altar. "Elsa Is going to havo what
she wants, If I have to break something.
If you'll bo sensible I'll stand behind you
like a father and teach you the business.
I'm getting old and Ethelbert could never
learn it. Otherwise" The old man's
Jaws set; his eyes began to gleam angrily.
"Who Is Ethelbert?" faintly inquired
O'Reilly. ,
"Why, dammltr He's the fellow I've
been telling you about. He's not so bad
as he sounds; he's really a nice boy "
"Elsa Is in love with another man? Is
that what you mean?"
"Good Lord, yesl Don't you under
stand English? I didn't think you'd take
It so hard I was going to make a place
for you here in the office, but of course
if Say! What the deuce alls you?"
Free for Rosa
Samuel Carter stared with amazement,
for "the Injured victim of his daughter's
fickleness had leaped to his feet and was
shaking his hand vigorously, meanwhile
uttering unintelligible sounds that seemed
to signify relief, pie-sure, delight any
thing except what the old man expected.
"Are you crazy or am I?" he queried,
"Yes, sir; delirious. It's this way, sir.
I've changed my mind, too."
"Ohl You haver'
"I've met the dearest, sweetest"
O'Reilly choked, then began again "the
dearest, loveliest "
"Never mind the bird-calls 31on't cool
I get enough of that at home. Don't tell
me she's dearer and s eeter than Elsa.
Another girll Well, I'll bo damnedl
Young man, you're a fool"
"Yes, sir."
Bluntly wmwWua bjr his ry
than I thought. Why, I I was posi
tively terrified when you walked In. And
to think you dtd.t't need any sympathy I"
"I do need that JO, though. It will
enable me to get married."
"Nonsense! Better wait. I don't be
lieve In early engagements."
"Oh, yes, you do,"
"Well, that depends. But, say you're
a pretty nervy youth to turn down my
daughter and then hold me up for a Job,
all In tho samo breath. Here! Don't
danco on my rug, I ought to be of
fended, and I am, but Get out while t
telephone Elsa, so sho can dance, too."
O'Reilly's Letters
O'Reilly spent that evening In writing
a long letter to Rosa Varona. During' the
next few days his high spirits proved a
trial and an affront to Mr. Slack, who,
now that his employer had departed for
the West, had assumed a subdued., and
gloomy dignity to match the somber re
sponsibilities of his position.
Ojher letters went forward by succeed
ing posts, and there was no doubt now
that O'Reilly's pen was tipped wits;
magic. He tingled when ho reread what
ho had written. He bade Rosa prepare
for his return and their Immediate mar
riage. The fun and the excitement of planning
their future caused him to fill page after
page with thrilling details of the flat
hunting, home-fitting excursions they
would tako upon their return to New
York. He wrote her ecstatic descriptions
of a suite of Grand Rapids furniture)
ho had priced; he wasted & thousand
emotional words over a set of china he
had picked out, and the results of a pre
liminary trip into the apartment house
district required a convulsive three-part
letter to relate. It Is remarkable with
what poetic fervor, what strength of feel
ing, a lover can describe a five-room flat;
with what glories he can furnish it out
of a modest salary and still leave enough
for a lite of luxury.
But O'Reilly's letters did not always
touch upon practical things; there was a
wide streak of romance in him, and muds
of what he wrote was the sort of this
which romantic lovers, always wrH
tender, foolish, worshipful thoughts whleh,
half abashed him when he read them over.
But that Rosa would thrill to them he
had ifo doubt, nor had he any fear that
she would hesitate to leave her nativ
land for him. O'Reilly's love was unHm
Ited; Ills trust In the girl was abaelttt.
He knew, moreover, that she loved ad
trusted him. This, to be sure, VfM a
miracle a unique phenomenon which
never ceased to anuue him. He did Rot
dream that every man had felt the aaata
value wonder.
Anfl so the Um passed raplaiy. Vut,
strange to say, there cam v jwwr ts
those letters. O'Reilly cliaf h out
the revolution which naa ntti amMu-
nlcatlon o uncertain; at JnSA a eobMt.
but still days dra4 On with no ruuK
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