These women succeeded in attracting the attention of the President and
his party,—just what they were out for, and were often close enough to
hear the bursts of admiration which unconsciously fell from the lips of
some of the gentlemen of the party who were very susceptible to the
charms of feminine beauty.
They returned to their homes in ecstasy, to refresh their beauty by an
afternoon siesta and bath; ready to array themselves in their most
gorgeous attire, in the hope of meeting the distinguished visitors at
the banquet to be held immediately after the close of the Governor’s
lecture; to make further conquests, to gather fresh laurels.
No one in the city was as little concerned over the event about to
transpire as the Governor. Getting his own consent to appear before his
people in the guise of a scientist, of a wonderful discoverer, was the
struggle. It being over he looked upon the prospective lecture seemingly
with no more concern than if he were about to make a Fourth of July
speech. Yet such was not quite the case. He was greatly concerned about
the result of his evening speech. Events had come in quick succession,
since his arrival home; important ones, that dwelt directly upon the
great chain of evidence he and his coworkers were intent upon bringing
to a close, and he was now on the alert. He knew not at what moment to
expect the climax. Strict orders were given the attendants at his home,
that he was not to be molested at any hour during the day. That the day
must be his own for thought.
The day before, he had caused the child Catalina Martinet, the child who
swooned in the study of the scientist, to be removed to his own home,
where she was placed in charge of his housekeeper. He kept up the most
magnificent private home in the city. Many were the mothers who sighed
as they drove by, for some power to entrap him for their daughters. They
thought it a sin for so beautiful a home to remain without a mistress.
The Governor was not disturbed by any of the sighs or enticing looks. He
pursued his scientific investigations and at the same time he felt that
through them there would come to him a love that would make his life,
his soul, his spirit, a paradise on earth.
Catalina Martinet seemed to have no remembrance of the strange
occurrence of yesterday. When she awoke from the peaceful sleep into
which Guillermo Gonzales and Julio Murillo had succeeded in getting her,
she was bright and gay. Instead of the careworn child of yesterday out
seeking her living, she looked and acted like the happy child of wealthy
and indulgent parents. She clung to the Governor, embraced him fondly,
and called him “Papa.” All day long he had been communing with self and
silently watching the child, whose every movement was a source of great
wonder and delight to him.
Dressed in a becoming gown of very fine texture, she alone accompanied
the great man to the theatre.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account