1
A COMEDY OF REBELLIONBy Clinton Ross
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THE Earl of Rendell was one of the globe-trotting race; and
when, through his marriage with Miss Mary Churchill of
New York, his estate was restored, he was enabled to
gratify to a nicety every whim in this direction. The Rcndclls
went from Dan to Becrsheba, and so it chanced that they turned
up at San Fernandez during those events that are now a matter
of the spasmodic history of ' that Central American Republic.
Lady Rendell was accompanied by her sister, Miss Louise
Churchill, lately engaged to Stephen Wharton of Baltimore;
by his man Simpson, and Lady Churchill's maid, who fell ill
of the fever, and whose services were supplemented by those of
a Spanish-American girl called Gloria. The English Consul at
San Fernandez happened to he at this time the Right Honorable
James Forsyth, who was a warm friend of the Earl, and the
party put up at the Consulate.
This building faces the Cathedral, dating from the seventeenth
century, and containing some excellent relics of Spanish colonial
times, and a very good organ. That organ woke Miss Churchill
at dawn, and put her to sleep at night. The organist seemed to
be always playing, and the people always at their devotions.
Sun Fernandez is in every way a fine example of old New
Spain its streets, its varied population, its queer little soldiery,
its Court, that of the President Scnor Don Jose Gonzales, who
had tstablished himself through a successful revolution. Lady
Rendell had met the President's wife in Paris, and so she called
on her, and the Senora Gonzales was pleased to return the call;
and the ladies saw much of society in a Spanish-American capi
tal. Then they wandered about the place and collected things..
But Louise Churchill, for reasons of her own, was not in the
best of spirits. The truth of the matter was that she had been
fond of a certain Christopher Hates, who had flirted atrociously
will a certain widow, and to spite him she bad engaged herself
to Stephen Wharton, as is sometimes the way with young wo
men. At once she found she had been spiting herself; and she
never felt this so much as when, coining into the Consulate one
day from the cool recesses of the Cathedral, she heard, as she
entered, some passages of the old Comedy.
The girl Gloria was talking to a little man in a sergeant's
uniform, Miss Churchill understood Spanish very well, and in
narrating this little drama I will make no distinction between
tongues. She heard the little sergeant:
"Gloria, mine I"
"Ah, Jose1 Rublno, was the song under my window last night
for Theresa ?"
"The little coquette I" thought Miss Churchill.
"There are Theresas and Theresas," Rubino replied fervently;
"but of Glorias "
"But one, I suppose," said the girl.
At this Rubino tried to get her hand, but she pushed him
away, and seeing Miss Churchill she became very demure, while
Rubino hastened out of the door.
"Your lover, Gloria?" Miss Churchill said.
"H thinks be is, Senorita. But who knows? Yet he is a
yery good fellow and very prominent. lie has charge of the
guard at the prison,"
Miss Churchill sighed, gave the girl some silver, and went
to her room with a headacha.
A few days after, there came rumors of an uprising of a cer
tain Mtndez against the President's authority; and then with
the suddenness of a tropical storm came the events of the day
of this drama, which Miss Churchill was never to forget.
She heard of it first at breakfast. The army of the rebellion,
led by two English adventurers, were at the gates of the old
walled town, and even now she heard the roaring of cannon.
Sha clapped her hands.
"Why, this will be jolly a real siege."
"You'll be safe here," said the Consul, a fair-haired man of
forty. He was a widower, and had felt for some time that he
was sura to fall in love with this interesting woman.
"Oh, yes, we are quite safe, quite safe," Lord Rendell said,
with perfect faith in the flag that waved above him.
"Still. I should like to have an English or American ship in
tin harbor," Lady Dcndell remarked.
"Why, Mary, they don't do anything; just run about, and
shout a great deal. I have heard all about it," Miss Churchill
put in.
"I have warned the President," said Forsyth, "and he has a
wholesome respect for our guns."
"Oh, Louise," Lord Rendell remarked, "I was looking over the
last American paper, and I saw the engagement of that fellow
Bates to the little widow. Funny things, those American "So
ciety Notes.' "
Rendell dearly liked to tease bis sister-in-law, who said non
chalantly, "Oh, indeed;" but she leaned low over t he coffee.
Tha Cathedral bell began to toll, accentuating ( lie roll of guns,
hile cries from the street reached them.
"I have much to do," Forsyth said, rising; "much. So I must
be going. You all must keep close to the house."
A servant at this moment appeared at the door.
"Pardon, Excellency, His IliRlmcss the President to sec your
Excellency."
"Wonder what the old duffer wants of me our protection
perhaps." '
And he went out to his office, Rendell following him. The
ladies at the window saw a little row of soldiers and the Presi
dent's carriage.
Presently Rendell returned, all excitement
"Forsyth is acting for Blunt, the American Consul, in his ab
sence," he said. "The President doesn't want to offend us, you
may fancy. He has captured three men, and purposes to slioot
them, because he thinks they are two Englishmen who are di
recting Meiulei'i army. Now, this is the most extraordinary
coincidence,"
"Humph ? Miladi, Jose would be shot for . no President
only for me. He ran away; but, Miladi "
"Yes."
"f can send him back to the prison. He h the keys to a
little back gate, and he can get them here."
"He can but he does not want to be shot!" Miss Churchill
cried in wonder.
"It would be for me not for a President," said the girl,
shrugging her shoulders. "And, Miladi, I love you."
Miss Churchill took the girl into her arms and' kissed her.
"But I am not more to you, Gloria, than Jose Rubino."
"I love you, Miladi."
Miss Churchill walked rapidly to and fro. She looked at the
girl and kissed her again. The situation made her desperate.
It was a chance, and he might be shot at any moment.
"Gloria, if you do this you shall have a hundred American
dollars, and you and Jose may be with me always. But can
I ?"
"Miladi," said the girl, quickly, "don't think of me. I love
Jose now, but I have had other lovers."
She spoke with an air of pride that left Miss Churchill smiling.
"Oh, I see. Poor Jose. But you will reward him."
"Certainly, Miladi."
To Gloria's eyes Miss Churchill saw she was like an angel,
and Jose only like a lover.
"And, besides, we can't marry without money, Miladi," the
girl continued.
"You shall have money just for the offer, Gloria. And,
Gloria send him send him. But, Gloria "
She remembered what she had read that morning of Bates's
engagement to the horrible widow.
. "Yes, Miladi."
"No one must know that I ever made you do it. Swear by
the Christ there, over the Cathedral door."
"I swear, Miladi."
"Send him, then, Gloria," Miss Churchill said, quickly.
"Oh, what have I done!" she cried, when the girl had gone.
The tumult had died. Rumor had it the fight was going the
President's way. Forsyth, the Consul, was busy and nervous.
Anglo-Saxon interests were in his hands. But he had only the
sentiment the flags inspired, and no war vessel to enforce his
demands.
Miss Churchill, standing on the Consulate balcony, saw a wild
eyed priest come out of the Cathedral and raise his hands high,
while a crowd of poor folk thronged about him. His voice was
raised in deep earnestness.
"For the God of peace bringeth battle, and the God of battle,
peace. And lo, he is one God, the God of all nations."
And the organ pealed in low response against the sound of
distant fighting.
Lord Rendell lacked tact to the supremest degree. "Do you
recognize the writing?" and he handed Lady Rendell a piece of
dirty paper.
"Let me sec," said Miss Churchill, looking over her sister's
shoulder, and then she grew pale.
"It's very like Kit Bates's writing. Yes, it's his signature."
"Yes, it is," cried Lady Rendell.
They had read :
To the American or English Consul. We arc two Ameri
cans, landed from the yacht "Briinuhilde," New York Yacht
Club, at Point del Norte. We did not know of the disturb
ances and were arretted as two Englishmen engaged in the
rebellion, and are now lodged in prison, expecting every
moment to be shot, as we have seen it done to twenty other
prisoners. We ask your protection.
Christopher Bates.
"The old chap thought that, if they are as they represent
themselves, we would pull down bis old town about his tars. I
knew you would know the writing. And it's that fellow Bates.
Extraordinary, by Jove!"
And then Miss Churchill knew no more, for she had fainted.
When she came to herself, she was on her own bed, and I aclv
Rendell was holding her hands and giving her salts; vin.
Gloria, deep sympathy in her dark eyes, was fanning her. From
outside came the noise of tumult.
"What is all that noise?"
"They are fighting in the streets.''
"Oh, I remember, and ?"
"Bertie has no more tact than a porcupine or
known "
"What?"
"What I know, dear. But he is all right, dear. They wouldn't
dare hurt them."
"And James Forsyth hasn't got them out?" the girl asked.
"They can't get to the prison, dearest, but it will onlv ,e ,
little time. Don't worry, only lie still until you get your nerves
together; that's a good girl. 1 will leave Gloria to look after
you for a few moments."
Miss Churchill tried to lie still after her sister had gone, then
suddenly the organ pealed from the Cathedral, above the noise.
"Thev are praying in there, Miladi," Gloria said. "The cluircli
is crowded with people who are afraid."
nd then, after some moments, she went on;
"Miladi?"
"Yes."
"You love him." She forgot herself.
"Yes, Gloria."
"I knew it, Miladi, as I love Jose Rubino, who is here."
"How comes he here, when?"
would haw
A messenger ran into the office of the Consulate.
"The American cruiser 'Triton' is in the harbor."
"Thank God !" cried the Consul. "We will have a Scotch on
that, Rendell."
hi the servants' quarters Gloria was talking to her lover, the
little Sergeant Rubino.
"The Virgin be thanked, Jose mine, that you are not shot.
The English Miladi what a fool is she to think I would send
you out 'to get a bullet. But we have our marriage portion,
Jose mine. Ah, these fools of English."
The boyish ensign who commanded the blue-jackets that
patrolled the streets of San Fernandez was in the saloon of the
English Consulate that evening. And there were Mr. Chris
topher Bates and his friend Mr. Niles, and Lady Rendell, and
the others. The little ensign was quite your hero, though he
didn't so consider himself at all. He had made a little charge
and cleared the streets; and lo, the rebellion and its threat to
foreign interests had ceased, as if by magic the magic behind
the good ship "Triton's" guns.
Miss Churchill was fidgeting, and went out onto the veranda,
where the moon streamed peacefully and sentimentally.
What if he knew? What if Gloria had told?
Bates followed her.
"It's odd, isn't it our meeting here?"
"Very."
"And" all this little fiasco of a rebellion."
"Quite ridiculous and interesting. But how could you leave
Mrs. Chester so long?" she asked.
"You read that?"
"Ycs, and I congratulate you.
"And I you on yours "
"Oh do vou do you? Thank you.
It was very hot. What if Gloria had told? What if lie knew
how she had" fainted?
"But "
"Well?" t . .
"It was onlv a newspaper report, Louise, and I am down here
on the 'Brimnhilde.' I heard you had broken with Wharton,
md I wish to Heaven those chaps had shot me if you are going
to send me away," the young fellow blurted out.
;j,e turned to him and put both her hands in his.
"Christopher Bates, you are the very nicest person I know
nnd and ah. what makes you make me tell you? Yes, I do
love vou, and I have been so miserable."
That night Gloria asked her mistress:
"And the marriage portion, Miladi?"
"Gloria," Miss Churchill cried, "you shall have a thousand
American dollars not a hundred and the prettiest wedding
San Fernandez can furnish."
"You are an angel," quoth Gloria; and she told it all over
to the Sergeant Rubino in high glee.
So, through the rebellion of Mendez were these two love affairs
brought to their proper end. and President Gonzales ruled in
Sa" 'Fernandez until he decamped with the treasury. Since that
occurrence he has resided in Paris.
(Copyright, S. S. McClure Co.)
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Success with the Pansy
By Ida D. Bennett
Set pansies nine inches apart each way
in the bed. Where several strains of
pansies are grown it is an advantage to
plant each variety by itself, marking the
line of separation by two or more rows
of some distinct color; such as pure
white, clear yellow, or black. This en
ables one to compare the varieties at a
glance and form a better estimate of
their qualities than would be possible
in a mixed bed.
During hot, dry weather the pansy
bed should be watered twice a day at
night and at noon. Watering the gar
den in the midd'le of the day may seem
a reckless innovation to many, espe
cially to the professional gardener, but
years of experience have taught me the
value of giving a plant water when it
most needs it and that is when it is
parched with heat. Of course all plants
will not stand water under a hot sun,
but pansies are not injured by it in any
way. Pansies do not send their roots
as deeply into the ground as most plants,
but make many surface roots (hence
we place the fertilizers well below the
surface to induce a deeper growth),
which even a temporary drying out of
the top-soil will injure. A good soak
ing of the soil at night will last until
ten or eleven o'clock the next day, ac
cording to exposure, and if another
good wetting is then given with water
fresh from the hydrant or well it will
remain cool and moist throughout the
twenty-four hours. The rapid evapora
tion caused by the hot sun will create a
moist atmosphere around the plants,
producing much finer flowers than
would be possible in the dry air result
ing from withholding water until night.
Always plant pansies in an open, airy
situation, where the wind can have full
sweep over them. There is no more
mistaken idea than that pansies should
be grown in the shade. The aim should
be to get stocky, upright plants with the
flowers borne well above the foliage on
stiff stems. This is impossible when
plants are grown in the shade, where
long, straggly branches will invariably
be produced, with flowers at the, ex
treme end. Then, too, plants grown by
the side of the house, or in protected
positions, where the wind cannot sweep
over them, are much more liable to dis
ease than plants grown in the open.
Fungoid disease and mildew often at
tack the pansy in hot, muggy weather.
The remedy for the former is to spray
with the Bordeaux mixture, and for the
latter to dust with sulphur. It will be
better still if the disease appear in Au
gust, as is usual to remove all the old
growth, cutting or breaking it off close
to the crown, 'care being taken not to in
jure the tender new shoots, which will
have started by this time. Burn the old
tops. The new growth, being open to
the air, will probably be free from dis
ease, and will quickly fill the bed, giving
an abundance of fine flowers throughout
the cool days of fall. From a bed so
treated I gathered five hundred blos
soms the day before Thanksgiving with
no apparent diminution of bloom. After
removing the old growth the earth be
tween the plants should be thoroughly
cleaned and worked over with the
trowel.
PROPER PLACES
FOR FLOWERS
If you are fortunate enough to have a
corner low, damp and shaded in the
afternoon, that is the place to set out
the beautiful Japanese Iris, Cypripedium
acaule and other moisture-loving plants,
while the gladiolus may be given a
prominent place in full sunshine. Asters
and other flowers that do not bloom
until fall should have a less conspicuous
place; they are so showy that they will
not fail to attract attention, wherever
they may be planted.
Pansies and other low-growing plants
should be set out in the bed next the
lawn. The general effect is finer when
only one kind of flower is grown in a
bed, but when two or more varieties of
flowers, harmonizing in color, are grown
together, the tallest must be placed in the
centre and the others grouped according
to height. Various plants may be used as
edgings, due consideration being given
to the plants which are to fill the beds.
A mass of one kind and color is more
effective than a mixed bed. The begin
ner will find that the percentage of suc
cess is greater in growing a large num
ber of one kind, all requiring the same
conditions of soil, moisture and sunlight,
than in trying to force plants of widely
different habits to grow under the same
conditions. Hardy perennials, howevel,
not many of which deserve an entire
bed, do very well with several varieties
in the same long bed or border, and
may be so grouped as to give a succes
sion of bloom throughout the season.